Page 69 of Vengeful Lies

“If it means something to your mother, you shouldn’t be giving it to me, Eli.” I go to remove it, but he places his hand on top of mine to stop me.

“Trust me when I say there are very few things I can deny my mother. If I didn’t give this to you, it’d raise suspicions about the seriousness of our relationship.”

Thefakerelationship, I want to remind him. But I can’t stop staring at the ring, nor can I ignore the fact that I do like it so much more. This façade is consuming me as much as it is confusing me.

“How sentimental are we talking?” I question, not sure I want to know the answer. Besides, once this is all over, I’ll make sure she gets it back. Then again, she might not appreciate possessing a ring her son’s killer wore.

My head starts hurting.

“My father bought her this ring when she had a miscarriage a few years after me.” When my expression turns sad, he chuckles. “It wasn’t because of the loss that he bought it but because, despite the challenges they might face, there would always be love and support within our family.

“I’d forgotten about it until she brought it out, and I agree it’s better suited for you than the other one. Might not interfere with your gun-holding and waitressing shenanigans.”

I laugh. “Did you just say ‘shenanigans’?”

He seems shy and a bit vulnerable right now. I go to remove the ring. “Eli, this is way too personal for me to have.” He once again stops me.

“It was always going to be mine, but she wasn’t going to give it to me. She wanted my future wife to have it. I didn’t know that until after we had dinner with my family.”

This is too heavy in sentiment, and it feels as if we’re getting deeper and deeper into twisted lies. I’m starting to feel shameful about my part in it. His family’s involvement now really adds gravity to the situation. I’ve never had a family welcome me with open arms like his has. I’ve only had Craig since my dad died, and I remind myself I should be grateful for him.

But it makes me feel small. It shows me what other people have that I’ve deliberately stayed away from because I’m scared I’ll like it.

Shut up, Jewel. You’re just feeling sad and miserable because your body is aching from your period.

“Shouldn’t you save this for yourrealwife?”

“You’re my wife now. That’s the only thing I need to focus on.”

“But I’m not.” I expel a heavy sigh, trying to break the tension. “I still haven’t walked down the aisle.”

“And you won’t until we find you a dress.” He flashes me an arrogant grin as he hands me the box with the other ring. “Sell this or do whatever you want with it.”

I gape at him. “I can’t sell this Eli. I—” He closes his car door, cutting me off, and I wring my hands in the air.That asshole. He opens my door and offers me his hand.

I set the box on the floor in the car, wondering if it is okay to just leave a ring that’s probably worth the amount of some of my top-end jobs, out where anyone could see it and take it.

“Ready to play at being the perfect fiancée?” he asks, and my throat constricts as the reality of walking into a bridal store hits me. I want to run the other way, and I’m certain that’s why Eli takes my hand as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. I want to pull away, but even I know my limits. Happy wife, happy life, as they say.

A woman opens the door for us excitedly. “Mr. Monti, we’re so happy to see you. And this must be the lucky woman.”

I smile as I inwardly laugh at the suggestion of being lucky. I’m anything but.

“Your mother is already here waiting,” she tells us.

“Your mother?” I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“Yes, my mother,” he replies. Before I can pull him to the side, he quietly adds, “When she found out your mother wasn’t involved, she wanted to be here.”

I take a sharp breath, trying to ease my anxiety. It never crossed my mind to ask if my mother wanted to be involved. Not that I would have for a fake wedding, but the reality is, I wouldn’t even invite her to my real wedding. She has no right to be in my life. But Eli’s mother…wantedto be here?

I want to tell myself it’s because she’s worried about who her son is marrying and that I should gear myself up to be interrogated or even persuaded to leave him. But unless Rya Monti is a phenomenal actress, she never gave me that impression at all. And that’s what makes this situation harder.

She gave me her ring.

I’m in way too deep with his family already, and, for some reason, I seem to be the only one conscious of this. It makes me feel guilty. How the fuck is that even possible since I haven’t had a conscience since… ever.

“How long has she been waiting?” I ask nervously. I didn’t know we had someone waiting for us. If I had, perhaps I wouldn’t have been so eager to piss him off by breaking into his apartment.

---