Page 26 of Taken By the Fake Fiancé

Having cleared the confusion in my head about the state of my feelings for Declan, I park my car and make my way out and toward apartment.

I think back to Eli's attitude earlier this evening. Even though I felt stung by his outright rudeness, I completely understand the sense of betrayal that he feels because it's the same way I would have felt if my dad had left my mom and brought home some strange woman.

I make my way toward my room, recalling again, as I pull my hair into a bun, the way that Declan's lips had slid against my skin. It had been nerve-wracking. Maybe it's because I haven't experienced a man's touch in a very long time.

Being around Eli reminded me of my own siblings. Eli is close to Sadie's age, I wonder if they would make great friends if they were ever introduced.

I pick up my phone and call my mom's line. Mother and I have not had the best of relationships, maybe because I have transferred some of the anger I feel toward Father to her.

I had wished, while I was still under their roof, that she would stop cowering and being afraid of the man she had married. I had wished that she would call him out on his bullshit and let him know that she wants him to be a better father for her children, to do more and offer more financial support. Her failure to do that had resulted in more work, not just for her, but for me as well. Nonetheless, I have grown accustomed to responsibility and will ensure that I give my siblings the life that they deserve.

"Hello, Fel--"

"Mother," I murmur.

"How are you? I'm sorry I didn't say hi when Emma called you the other day. I was busy with dinner. Your father had already been in a terrible mood because it had taken a little too long to finish.”

I scowl at her words.

"Well, you would have made dinner faster if he had known to come and help."

Mother gives a soft chuckle.

"I knew you’d say that. Emma was there to help. There was no need for your father to be in the kitchen."

"Where are they anyways?" I smirk, certain that continuing in this vein of discussion would lead to arguments like it always does. Mother has always encouraged Father's habit and will ever stand for him rather than call him out on his shitty parenting style.

"Sadie has gone for a sleepover, but Emma is here. Emma!" she says and calls out in one breath.

There's a light commotion on the other end as Mom shuffles forward to give the phone to Emma.

"It's Felicity." I hear her whisper, and Emma's little squeal of excitement makes my heart warm.

"Felicity!" comes Emma's voice.

"How are you, Panda?"

Emma giggles at the nickname. We had given ourselves nicknames as kids. Emma loved the panda because all it did was eat, play, and roll. I'd chosen Cinderella because I had always dreamed of being swept off my feet by some strange prince, one borne from all the fantasy books I'd read as a kid. Now, I know better, I want to be nothing like Cinderella.

"You should see how I am now," Emma says with a smile in her voice.

"I know how you are," I tell her, already smiling ear to ear.

"How are you, Cindy?" Emma asks cheekily.

"I am nothing like Cinderella. You know, I think I might be somewhat like Maleficent now."

"I will only allow you to take the name because the character is hot," Emma says with a giggle.

"Emma!" I shriek.

"What? I am not five anymore. I am fourteen now."

I shake my head at her words.

Time has really flown. I remember when she was so little, bawling her eyes out when I was about to leave for college. It had been the most heartbreaking thing I'd experienced, watching Emma cry and beg me not to leave.

"What have you been up to?"

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