Page 56 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

“It’s all over the internet, Donald. How could you lie to me like that?”

My heart drops and I dart my attention toward the bathroom, making sure Carmen is still inside before I answer my mother. “Lie about what, mom?”

“You and Carmen… you were never really engaged. I know it all and I can’t believe you would do something like that. Thatshewould do something like that, with a client no less.”

Carmen steps out of the shower, her eyes wide as she looks from me to her phone. The dread in her expression mirrors the sinking feeling in my gut.

Without a word, I hang up on my mom and reach for Carmen’s phone. As I scroll through the headlines, my world starts to crumble.

RAISING HAVOC’S FAKE ENGAGEMENT SCANDAL!

My heart sinks. I look at Carmen, my throat tightening.

“We need to talk.”

21

Carmen

I’m going to besick.

The article was very clear about where they got their information and I’ve never felt more like an idiot than I do right now.

It’s my fault this is happening.

I take a nervous step toward Donny as he scrolls along his screen, brow dipping when he finally finds what he’s looking for, and I halt when his narrowed eyes flash to mine.

“What… What does it mean they overheard one of the parties having a conversation?”

I shake my head. “Last night… I,” I choke out, then shake my head. “I was talking to the girls about everything. It may have gotten louder than necessary and someone overheard. It was an accident.”

Donny looks at me, then drops his hands at his side and blinks. “You wanted this to happen, even said you would tell everyone last night. Didn’t really think you’d do it, though.”

My chest tightens, and I feel a surge of panic—like everything is unraveling in front of me.I’m losing him. The thought grips me, and I shake my head frantically. “I know what I said, but I didn’t do this.” My voice cracks, betraying the fear I’m trying to suppress.

“How else would they have gotten the information, Carmen? Tell me the truth.”

“I am!” I clap a hand over my mouth with wide eyes, tears threatening to fall, and I take a deep breath. “I am,” I say, much calmer this time. “The girls and I were talking, but I had no idea someone was listening. That they would take the story to someone.”

“You know how this world works, Carmen.”

My heart cracks when he doesn’t use the nickname I’ve come to love, but I hide the emotion by squeezing my eyes shut and taking a few more deep breaths.

“Why couldn’t you just tell me you didn’t feel the same way? You didn’t have to be so cruel,” he whispers, emotion thick in his words, and I snap my eyes open to find him staring at me with sadness swirling in his eyes.

I take a step forward, but he immediately moves to keep the distance between us. “Donny, let me explain.”

I’m not sure what else I could explain. I told him everything about last night, but he’s not going to believe me because I’ve been more than vocal about my values toward my job as his manager. He knows that I don’t want an inappropriate relationship with a client, and because I passed out right after our night together, I never got to tell him exactly how I feel.

I should’ve been honest with him sooner.

“I’m sure you have a lot to do, like getting the story under control,” Donny says as he saunters through the room and grabs his discarded clothes. “I, uh, have to go.”

“Please,” I whisper. “Don’t go.”

He stands straight, looking out the large window, and his shoulders slump forward after a few moments as he shakes his head. “I can’t be here right now. I’ve got to call my mom back, talk to her about everything, and I’m sure you’ll be needing to do the same thing soon.”

“You can do that here.”

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