Page 75 of How To Fake A Fiancé

There was a time when that philosophy worked. Now, it doesn’t bring much comfort at all. Rather, it makes me sick to my stomach, and I want to shed even more tears.

In dread, I glance at everyone’s excited faces. My mom is trying to hold what looks like happy tears back, while my sister sighs happily as she rests her head on Aaron’s shoulder. That feeling of guilt I experienced earlier is nothing compared to now. It’s more like two brick walls are crushing me whole. Suffocating me.

This isn’t right. This is all wrong.

“So with that said…” Ian gets down on one knee. “Kamila Hernandez…will you—”

Fuck what they’ll think of me. I can’t do it.

“Stop,” I blurt out to him. “Don’t finish that sentence.” I feel the air in the room tighten the moment those words escape my lips. Can’t take them back now.

Ian shoots me a confused stare as I pull my hand away. I know what he must be thinking. What am I doing ruining my own plans? But I can’t let this go on anymore.

“Ian, I’m sorry, but I can’t make you do this. You deserve someone better than me. Someone who won’t make you lie to total strangers.”

“What are you talking about? He’s proposing,mija.” Mom rises from her seat. She looks at me like I’m shooting myself in the foot. In fact, everyone is looking at me like I’ve gone crazy. Maybe I have, but it’s better than feeling miserable.

“No, Mom. He’s not,” I respond. “He’s only proposing…because I asked him to. Ian and I were never real. I just had you believe we were because I didn’t want to admit that I lied to you about being in a relationship.”

“What?” Sofia looks shocked.

“I’m sorry I let it go on for this long. I was being selfish and only thought about myself. Don’t be mad at Ian. He was only doing what I asked him to.” The more I spill out, the lighter the weight on my shoulders becomes. Yes, this is the right thing to do.

No one says a word for a long time. Whether out of disbelief, shock, or both, I’m not sure.

I sit back down in my seat, looking everywhere else. I can’t face them. How could I? I just admitted my cruelty. What must they think now? It’s too painful to think of the possibilities.

All I want to do now is tuck my tail between my legs, pack up, and go back to Dallas. Not show my face for a long time to any of them.

Maybe I do deserve to be alone.

Ian clears his throat, which pulls me from my thoughts. I look over at him in surprise to see he’s still on one knee. Didn’t he hear what I just said?

“What are you doing? You’re off the hook now.”

Ian grabs a firm hold of my hand again. “But I’m actually proposing.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Kami

“Y-you’re what?” I’m frozen where I sit. What is he doing? I let him go. He doesn’t have to pretend anymore.

“Kami, every word I said is true and will continue to be until the day I die. Our relationship may have started out under false pretenses, but I still want you. Forever and always.”

“We don’t have to lie anymore.” What part of he’s free to go does he not get?

“I’m not.”

What do I do? What if history repeats itself and I end up more brokenhearted than before? I can’t risk that, but…I can’t ignore this growing need for him, either.

Without saying another word, I storm out of the dining room to my bedroom and close and lock the door behind me. I need quiet, peace. Something to help me see clearly again, but my mind is like a thick fog of emotion.

I’m in such a panic as I pace back and forth that I barely notice the knock on my door—and a soft, masculine voice calling out to me. Ian’s voice. “Kami, are you okay?”

I remain silent.

“Let’s talk about this.”

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