Page 33 of Falling for My Billionaire Fake Date

“You know me too well. Well . . .” she drags out, hesitating to ask what’s on her mind, and I know it’s a Sophia-related question.

“I’m sorry, I’ve been a bad sister,” she begins, and I raise a brow at that in shock without turning to look at her, my focus on the road.

“Why would you say that, Bells? You’re one of the best things that has happened to me in this world. You have been ever since you were born. And you are the sweetest, kindest, purest, and the most selfless sister anyone could ask for. Don’t ever say that about yourself again, Bells. I love you. You know that, right?”

The thought of my little sister saying that about herself has my heart tightening painfully in my chest.

“Okay, Jake. I love you too, bro,” she sniffs, her voice teary. “It’s just, I never really asked you what went down between you and Sophia. I asked you only once and accepted thefeeble excuse you told me about things just not working out between you two.”

“But I never actually sat you down to soothe your pains and be there for you. Instead, I turned a blind eye, even though I knew you were hurting. Honestly, I was scared of what I’d find out, and I didn’t want to lose either of you,” she continues.

Of course, I know,I knew,all these things. What I didn’t know is that Bella still beats herself up for it. I knew when she used to sneak guilty glances at me whenever she would see me at home. She lost her cheer and her childish acts, walked on eggshells around me, and tried to make it up to me by doing random stuff like making my bed, doing my laundry, and ensuring that mom cooked my favorite dishes.

She definitely did not turn a blind eye. It kills me now to see how badly my breakup with Sophia has affected her, and that’s mostly why I still refuse to explain to her what had actually happened whenever mom says to tell her.

I swallow tightly, reaching back for her hand.

Giving it a reassuring squeeze, I shoot her a quick glance. “Isabella, there’s nothing I wouldn’t give right now to flush those thoughts out of your mind. You’re my little sister, and my relationship with Sophia shouldn’t define your friendship with her. She has been your best friend, and the sister you’ve always wanted since high school. You shouldn’t have to give that up because we didn’t work out, and neither should you have to take sides. I don’t want you spewing such nonsense about you being a bad sister anymore, Bells.”

I finish just as I steer into the hotel’s wide lot, easing into an empty spot. I kill theengine, turning to face Bella fully as soon as I rid myself of the seatbelt. I kiss her knuckles then lean to wipe the tears trailing off her angelic face. It hurts me physically to see her in such anguish and guilt.

“What truly happened between you and Sophia, Jake? Why did you leave her?”

I feel a lump grow in my throat at the question. “Do you not like Aurora?” I ask.

“What? No! Why would you ask such a thing? I’ve loved Aurora from the moment I saw her glaring at you when she thought I was your fiancée. She’s awesome, and I feel you’re perfect for each other.” Then she adds quietly as if the words are an epitome of betrayal, “More perfect for you than Sophia actually.” She looks outside the window, as if Sophia would spring out suddenly, brandishing her a betrayer.

“Okay, here goes.” I blow out a breath, preparing myself to tell her what had really happened between Sophia and me.

She snatches her hand from mine and raises it to my lips, shushing me indirectly.

“Actually, I’m still not ready to hear it.” She smiles cheerily, being herself again in an instant. “Enough of the dreary mood. Now let’s go plan a wedding partaaay!” she whoops, literally jumping out of the car.

The wind carries Bella’s mumbles to my ears. As she steps out, I hear: “I don’t want to see her in a different light. Not now.”

I exhale harshly and close my eyes, wiping a hand roughly down my face. I open my eyes, looking at the rearview mirror absentmindedly. Mom’s eyes stare right back into mine with a knowing glint.

I look away.

Chapter twenty-three

Aurora – Advice from Friends

“. . . and that’s when I zoomed out of the parking lot, called an S.O.S, and here we are!” I finish with a dramatic flair, draining the last of my wine.

I look up from the wine glass to see Ryan and Brittney staring at me with their mouths wide open, unblinking.

“Guys, are you alright?” I ask laughingly, not in the least shocked at their reactions.

I would react the same too if one of my friends told me about how she goes from taking breakfast orders to being someone’s fake girlfriend overnight and has already met his family, not letting go of the fact that she had a great dislike for the fake boyfriend. And her ex-boyfriend is the fiancé of the fake boyfriend’s little sister’s best friend. Crazy stuff, yeah. Sounds like a real scene from a bad romantic comedy. Only this isn’t a comedy, it’s my life.

Ryan takes a huge gulp of his wine while Brittpinches herself to ensure it’s all real.

She raises a well-plucked brow, pointing a beautifully manicured finger at me. “Girl, are you tripping on something? Or probably you dreamed the whole thing up?”

Disbelief is etched on her beautiful face.

Ryan chips in: “Right, Aurora. Are you sure you haven’t gone to the alternate universe overnight, and now you’re relating the events to reality?”

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