Page 45 of Fake Married to the Grumps

Ethan doesn’t come home that night, and he’s still not in the house when I fix my morning coffee and settle down in the living room with my iPad to check my social media feeds and emails.

The first Instagram post pops up on my screen, and Ethan’s last name catches my attention.

Everhart together with his ex?The headline reads when I click the post. My heart instantly sinks as I stare at the picture of him and Julia Brene snuggling close to each other while walking.

Ethan’s wearing the same suit from dinner last night, and he’s staring at Julia intently, his entire attention focused on her. Shuddering inside, I try to shake off the thudding ache that sears through me.

Did he leave me last night to go to her?The weight of my disappointment sinks heavily against my heart, and tears prick the back of my eyes almost immediately.

I wipe away the single tear that slides down my cheek before sniffing loudly. Why should I care what Ethan spent his night doing? Or who he chose to hang out with?

I flip through more pictures of Ethan and Julia, realizing that almost every Instagram page carries news of their reunion.

Things look promising for the former couple as they were spotted exiting L.A.’s most exclusive five-star restaurant last night.

Another blog post reads:What trouble does this spell for the billionaire’s new wife?There are talks about a divorce brewing with this reunion.

The first tug of anger slices through my core, and I lower my iPad to the table in front of me, staring hard at it for some time, and finally close my eyes.

What did you expect, Nelly? Did you think he would fall for you? Over a few kisses and one date?

“I’m so stupid,” I mutter before covering my face with both hands. What part of me thought things would be different with Ethan this time? That he would admit to having feelings for me and stay true to them?

Years ago, Ethan chose some blonde over me. We flirted for a while, and he probably knew I liked him. He’s experienced, and I’m sure he could tell, but it didn’t matter.

My temples pound while my mind races. My coffee doesn’t help me stay focused, so I head to the kitchen to make breakfast.

I’m enjoying my omelet and trying not to think of Ethan when he finally returns. He walks into the kitchen and stops by the entrance.

“Nelly,” he whispers, his solemn eyes on me as he enters the kitchen.

My first impulse is to ignore him and focus on my meal, but he walks over to me, pulls out a chair, and lowers himself into it.

“You’ve seen the blog posts,” he whispers. “About me and Julia? You can’t believe any of it, Nelly. Julia’s not the—”

“What do I believe, Ethan?” I interrupt, my voice a hoarse whisper that doesn’t surprise me.

“That you ditched me for Julia? Because that’s what you did. You’ve done it before, haven’t you? You chose some woman over me five years ago."

“Isn’t that your MO? Dating women as you please, stringing them along and ditching them when it suits you?”

“That’s not what I’m doing here, Nelly. We’re married …"

“Fake married,” I remind him and he pales a little, takes a deep breath, then jumps out of his chair.

“I had to do this for Julia because I owed her,” he explains while pacing around the kitchen. He mutters words I don’t hear, rakes his fingers through his hair, then turns to stare me deep in the eyes again.

“She helped convince George to back me for the CEO and merger vote. It’s how I won against Joe.”

“In exchange, she needed me to help fuel rumors about her so she can gain more popularity. It’ll help with her gallery opening and draw more media attention. What better way for a celebrity to stay relevant than to spark rumors? Especially about their love life with an old flame?”

His words sink in and leave a sour taste in my mouth.

“And you agreed to this?” I ask faintly. “Even though it affects our fake marriage?”

“I didn’t have a choice,” he replies before striding to me quickly. “Trust me, I hated spending time with Julia, even though we didn’t speak to each other most of the time. I didn’t spend the night with her. I made a deal with her, and I always keep my word.”

His plan doesn’t sit right with me, and the sinking feeling in my stomach only worsens. I understand Ethan’s obligation to play along with Julia’s demands.

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