Page 32 of My Billionaire Casino Boss

I bury my face in my hands, taking deep breaths to calm myself down. I’m finding myself in this position far more often than I’d like. I can’t let them see me like this, can’t let them see how much their words affect me. I have to stay strong, have to keep up the act. For Thomas, for myself, for the sake of this crazy plan we’ve concocted.

It’s so much harder than I ever thought it would be. And as I sit there alone, the weight of it all pressing down on me, I can’t help but wonder, once again, if it’s all worth it. If the promise of a better job, a better future, is worth all this pain and humiliation.

I take one last deep breath, steeling myself for the rest of the day. I can do this. I have to do this. For now, at least, there’s no other choice.

Just as I’m about to leave the casino, a voice stops me in my tracks. “Lily.” Cool and smooth as ice. I turn around to find Hillary standing there, her eyes sharp and calculating.

“I know about you and Thomas,” she says, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I know it’s all a lie.”

My heart skips a beat. “What are you talking about?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” she snaps. “I’ve seen the way you two act around each other. It’s all for show. And I’ve heard the rumors, the whispers. You’re not as good at keeping secrets as you think.”

I swallow hard, my mind racing. How did she find out? And more importantly, what does she want?

“I can help you,” Hillary continues, her voice softening. “I have connections. I can get you a great job at another casino. All you have to do is end things with Thomas and convince him to be with me.”

I stare at her, my mind reeling. “I don’t want to work at another casino” is all that comes out, and I berate myself internally.Idiot.“I mean I…I can’t,” I stammer. “I can’t do that to him.”

Hillary scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Don’t be naive. Thomas is a big boy. He can handle it. If it’s all fake—which obviously it is—no one will be getting hurt.”

“But it’s not just about him,” I say, my voice growing stronger. “It’s about me, too. I can’t just use people for my own gain. That’s not who I am.”

Hillary shakes her head, a bitter smile on her lips. “You’re a fool then. Thomas will never change. He’ll always be the same selfish, arrogant man he’s always been. And in the end, you’ll be left with nothing. I’m the only one who gets him. I hope you see he’s only looking out for himself before it’s too late.”

With that, she turns on her heel and walks away, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest. I watch her go, her words echoing in my mind. Is she right? Am I just setting myself up for heartbreak?

But as I walk to my car, I feel a sense of relief. I made the right choice. I stayed true to myself, to my values. No matter what happens, I can take comfort in that.

It’s finally my weekend, giving me a much-needed break from the casino, from Thomas, and from the whole mess. I spend the day at home, relishing the peace and quiet, the normalcy.

At some point, I find myself staring at the ring Thomas gave me. It’s beautiful and unique, just like him. It’s also a symbol of our lie, a constant reminder of the deception we’re living.

I remember the moment he gave it to me, the look in his eyes, and the way his hand trembled slightly as he slid it onto my finger. It should have been a beautiful moment, a moment of joy and celebration. But it wasn’t. It was a moment of pain, of sadness, of regret.

I remember how I felt, the lump in my throat, the tears stinging my eyes that I had to hide from Thomas. I remember wishing, more than anything, that it was real. That Thomas was really proposing to me, that we were really in love. But we’re just playing a part, pretending to be something we’re not. And as much as I want to believe that we could be more, that we could turn this lie into something real, I can’t let myself believe it’s possible.

Deep down, I know the truth. Thomas is not mine to have, and this ring is not a symbol of his love for me, but a prop in our deception. And no matter how much I wish it were different, I can’t change that.

So, I take off the ring and place it back in its box, tucking it away in the back of my drawer. Out of sight, out of mind. Or at least, that’s what I hope. I feel a pang of sadness as a close the drawer because even though I know it’s all a lie, it doesn’t feel that way. Not entirely.

I decide to spend the evening at my parents’ house, hoping their comforting presence will help me forget about the chaos of my life. But the moment I walk through the door, I’m bombarded with questions about my “engagement.”

“Dad’s furious, you know,” my little sister, Christina, informs me as soon as I step inside. “He says Thomas should have asked for his permission.”

I wince, imagining my father’s reaction. “I’ll talk to him,” I promise, already dreading the conversation.

Dinner is a minefield of questions and comments about Thomas, the wedding, and the ring. My mother can’t stop gushing about how excited she is to congratulate Thomas, while my father grumbles about respect and tradition.

Even my mom, who’s been pressuring me to find a man for years, seems taken aback by the speed of our engagement. “It’s all so fast, Lily,” she says, her eyes filled with concern. “Are you sure about this?”

I force a smile, trying to reassure her. “Of course, Mom. Thomas is great.”

But she doesn’t seem convinced. After dinner, she pulls me aside, leading me out to the back deck. The Tahoe night sky is a blanket of stars above us, a sight that’s always brought me comfort. Tonight, it just feels vast and empty.

“Lily,” she begins, her voice soft. “Something’s not right. I can feel it. You’re not yourself.”

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I want to tell her everything, to confess the whole sordid mess. But I can’t. I made a deal, and I have to see it through.

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