Page 198 of My Ruthless Opponent

The first thing I did when I locked myself in the suite was text her.

I want to be alone. Please respect my wish and don’t let anyone come upstairs.

That was my first text then I sent another about the brooch.

I have a lot of questions but they can wait. I will take care of things here. —was her reply.

I was so grateful that she didn’t pry. And although her text gave me a sense of relief, it also made me feel shitty. Because I was leaving. Without informing anyone. I was practically running away.

I had always faced challenges head-on. I don’t run away from them. No matter how tough things got, I didn’t back down from my problems. But this was new territory.

I was sick of lying to people I care about. It was too late now, wasn’t it? But anyway, it would end here. With my leaving.

When Victor doesn’t say anything, I look at him.

It’s hard to guess what he is thinking. His eyes are blank, face emotionless.

I get an idea. I can tell him that it’s all my fault and not Raleigh’s. This is the opportunity I am given and I should use it.

“I am sorry for what you witnessed down there, Victor. I thought I… that I… loved him.” I drop my gaze.

It's impossible to lie to a man who has a lot of experience and wisdom when it comes to life.

“When I walked down the aisle… I realized that I wasn’t cut out for marriage. I wasn’t—”

“I know everything, Hannah.”

My head snaps up.

He gives a slow nod. “I know about your little arrangement. I knew you both were pretending to be a couple for this contract. I’ve known this for a while now.”

His words slam into me so hard and fast that I feel dizzy. I stagger back until my back collides against a wall.

Did I hear that right? Did he really claim to have known about our fake relationship? If so, then why is he so calm?

Victor doesn’t look angry.

Wouldn’t this result in termination of the contract? Because who would want to work with the people who lie for their gain? I don’t understand anything.

He tucks his hands in his pocket. “Remember when I came to see you after your accident.” He motions to my still bandaged hands.

My frown eases and I gasp.

It was the same day when I confessed my feelings to Raleigh. I was sick of his silent treatment and I demanded to end the sexual relationship. I remember us having a loud argument by the main door. Just a few minutes after that, Victor had come to see me.

He heard all of it that day. Fuck. But if he did, why didn’t he confront us?

As if reading my thought, he says, “I was hurt when I heard you talk about your deal with Raleigh. I was about to leave but then I heard you telling him about your feelings. It was good that I stopped because I heard you both opening up to each other.”

His lips lift in a wry smile. “When I knocked on your door and saw how Raleigh was with you, so caring and attentive, it reminded me of myself from thirty-five years ago. I saw a spark of love between the two of you. All it needed was a gust of wind to turn that tiny spark into flames. That’s what I did.” He stares at me. “I decided to turn a blind eye to your lies to give you both time. Time to grow your feelings for each other. And it happened. I saw you both falling in love with each other.”

Victor was playing match-maker all along?

“You must be thinking why I did this?”

When I jerk a nod, he smiles. “Because I am a hopeless romantic at heart, Hannah. I wanted you both to end up together because it was clear as day how much you two were crazy for each other. This kind of love is rare to find. I thought with my little help, you two could find your happy ending. That would’ve been a real tribute to love than this wedding campaign. And I was right, wasn’t I? You both fell in love by the end.”

I take a long shaky breath. “He doesn’t love me, Victor.” Subtly, I accepted that I love Raleigh.

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