Page 196 of My Ruthless Opponent

He extends his hand. I tense when I see his eyes glistening. When I don’t move, Archer takes my hand and places it in his. My bouquet—the one with the brooch—is taken away from my hand by Brielle.

I am shocked. Too shocked to listen to a word the officiant says.

Raleigh is staring at me with unexplainable emotions in his eyes. He is staring at me as if I am his whole world.

His thumbs stroke the back of my hands back and forth, a soft smile playing on his lips.

My brows furrow. Then I turn my head to gaze at our audience.

Everyone is looking at us with warm eyes. Especially Victor who is in the third row to the left.

Oh, now I get it. It’s for the show. He had me for a second there. For a second, I thought… I hoped… maybe he loves me. Wishful thinking.

“Do you, Raleigh Jackson, take Hannah Cooper to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Raleigh utters the words reverently.

The officiant turns to me. “Do you, Hannah Cooper, take Raleigh Jackson to be your wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him for as long as you both shall live?”

This is it. I can either go with the deal I made with Raleigh or I could back down from it and live guilt-free.

My gaze flit toward the audience. Victor is smiling, Chris, Nina, Jason all our fellow co-workers are waiting for my answer with a smile on their faces.

So many people I have lied to. So many people I have to continue to lie to if I go through with this.

With a deep breath, I tug my hands from his. His eyebrows snap together, his smile stilling. “No. I do not.”

I take a step back.

“H-Hannah?” Raleigh stutters. It is the first time I have heard his voice breaking.

I bite my lip and shake my head.

“What’s wrong, princess?” He reaches to touch me and when I cower away, his face falls.

“I am done.” My voice is so low I am not sure if he hears it.

“You are done?” He swallows, his chest rising and falling with hard breaths.

I have to make it seem that I am the bad guy. I have to put on a show as if I am calling it quits. It’s the only way people will buy this. It is the only way Raleigh could get the promotion. Because if Victor finds out we were pretending all along, he might cancel the contract. Not to mention this can turn into a scandal, ruining KIM Advertising’s name in the industry.

“I am done with you. I am done with this bullshit. I am done pretending to love you. I d-don’t.” I choke. I am about to turn and run away when Raleigh steps forward and his hand takes hold of my elbow.

“You are lying. You love me, princess. And I—”

“Don’t!” I yank my hand from his grip.

I need to say something. I need to act fast. I need to catch him off guard so he wouldn’t stop me from leaving.

I take a step toward him and lower my voice so only he can hear me. “You planned this fake relationship for the promotion. You can have it. I don’t want to waste my year for this.”

His fingers loosen around me as he staggers back. His expressions contort as if he is in physical pain.

His blue eyes are glistening again as they roam over my face frantically.

“You’re leaving me, princess?” The question is a low whisper.

I swallow thickly. “I am.” I swiftly turn on my heels to hide my tears and come face to face with Archer.

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