Page 14 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“How? He’s gonna find out when he puts the pieces together. No one even knows about me getting married or dating anyone. It won’t work.”

“Then, let’s make it work,” she said softly.

“Huh?” My eyebrows knitted in curiosity.

“Let’s make it look real. Convince him it’s true by finding you a fake husband.”

“You want me to get married?” I gave her an incredulous stare.

“No, silly. Find someone to act as your husband for the time being. You will move to New York in a year, and no one will find out the truth,” she said with a smooth smile on her wrinkled face.

At fifty-six, she already looked older. I assumed it was from the stress and loneliness. Her dark hair was slowly being replaced with wisps of gray, but she still looked pretty. Her light-brown eyes stared at me as she waited for an answer.

“No, I don’t want that. Thanks for trying to help, but that’s a lot, and I don’t wanna go down that path. If he finds out the truth, I will just have to face him.”

“Listen, honey. The Sanchesters are monsters and only care about themselves. Tristan is no different. He used you, ruined your life, and took everything away from you. Do you want him to take Kayden away too?”

“No.” I shook my head frantically.

“Then, you have to do this for him. I know how much you love your baby, and you want the best for him. Trust me, you don’t want those cruel people back in your life or Kayden’s. If they find out he is a Sanchester, they will do everything in their power to take him away. You might never see him again.”

Her words hit me like a tsunami, awaking every fear and vulnerability.

“No, I won’t let them do that. They already took enough from me. I’ll be dead before I allow that. I can’t …” I paused and tried to hold back the tears forcing their way out. I couldn’t bring myself to imagine a life without my Kayden. He was my sanity.

Mrs. Porter’s words kept replaying in my head, and it terrified me. She was right.

“I’m scared, Mrs. Porter,” I whimpered.

“It’s okay. I’m right here. You have me.”

She pulled me into her arms for a hug. I leaned into her. I needed some assurance that everything would be okay.

“I know someone who can help you—my friend’s son. His name is Ryan. He is a nice kid,” she said when I pulled away.

I considered the idea. I hated it, and I didn’t want to turn into Tristan, but I also didn’t want the Sanchesters to take Kayden away. I couldn’t let that happen. Mrs. Porter sensed my hesitation.

“Look, you love your son, and you would do anything to keep him away from his psychotic father, right?” Mrs. Porter asked when I said nothing.

“Yes,” I replied.

“And you want the Sanchesters to stay away from you and your baby?”

“Yes.”

“Then, you need to show him you are happily married with a beautiful kid. He will stay away for good.”

I gave it a thought. She was trying to help, and I trusted her because I knew she cared about me and my baby. She wouldn’t do anything to us. She was my family now.

“What about Vina?” I panicked.

“From what you told me, it seems she despises him. I don’t think he will go to her unless he has a death wish. Tell your best friend you’re doing it to make him stay away from you.”

“Okay. I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this,” I mumbled, feeling the guilt in my gut.

“Think of Kayden. You don’t wanna lose him,” Mrs. Porter reminded me. “Look at him.” She pointed at Kayden, who was eating some cherries as he watched something on his iPad. “Imagine them ripping him away and keeping him away from you. Imagine him growing up and being brainwashed to the point that he forgets about you,” she whispered in my ear as I stared at Kayden.

“No.” I shook my head, tears blurring my sight.

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