Page 5 of Dr. Billionaire's Fake Marriage

"Oh!" Mother smiles. "What happened at work?" she asks.

"Nothing big." I look away but say, "Just trouble with one of my patients."

Mother swallows. Somehow, she knows I am lying to her. She knows what happened at the hospital was more trivial than I make it sound.

She moves closer to my bed and asks, "Do you need help with what to wear to the masked party?" She flashes a genuine smile.

I nod, and she takes my clothes away one after the other. "I have been to a masked party before," she says. "I went with your father."

I smile. I can see she misses the life she once had. She misses the luxury that comes with that life, which is why I am working so hard to give her something close to it.

Finally, she picks up a high-neck green lace dress. "Green says nature," she says and motions for me to take it.

"I remember this dress," I say. "You bought it for my medical school graduation."

Mom had bought this dress for my medical school radiation party, but I couldn't wear it because I was inflicted with allergies at the time.

"Thank you, Mom," I say, taking the dress from her.

Mom starts to leave the room, but she stops by the door. "Masked parties are where you see potential husbands," she says. "Rich husbands. I am not insinuating anything; I am just saying."

Mom and I know she is insinuating a lot with that statement. She wants me to get her luxurious life back and thinks marrying a rich man is the easiest way.

"Mom," I say, "I am not going there to be a gold digger so you can get back the life you miss. I am going because my boss asked me to."

Mom starts to speak but stops. I sigh, knowing how my words sound. But she has to understand that I am doing my best to give her the life I think she deserves.

I went to medical school because she asked me to.

I work at Troy's hospital because she thinks it is the best place to start my practice.

Now, she thinks I must marry an old, rich guy because that is our easiest way to get luxury.

Today isn't the time for the big conversation with Mother; maybe some other time.

"I am sorry I sound so harsh, Mom." I smirk and add, "But I promise to have this conversation after this fancy party." I walk to her side and kiss her cheek.

Holding that green dress to my face, I sigh as she exits my room. This isn't my first party, but rather, my first state party.

I am a bit nervous. I would be bothered about going to my first masked party if I were not sure that Amelia would be present.

My friend and colleague Amelia is Troy's brother's girlfriend. She works at the same hospital as me, but we have been friends since medical school.

Since then, she has talked about her family's influence and heritage… and how she has to marry someone she doesn't love.

Since Mother met Amelia, she thinks I can have a life like hers. Amelia has been more than a friend; she has been a sister.

Even when Mother pressured me to start my medical career at Troy's hospital, Amelia took me to the first family party at Robinson's mansion.

Troy's mother, for whatever reason, thought I looked like her when she was about my age. She was so kind as to show me pictures, but I didn't see any resemblance.

Thank God for that party Amelia invited me to. I met Troy's mother on my way to being interviewed at the hospital, and she must have made sure I got this job.

Mrs. Robinson is such a kind soul who checks on me whenever she comes to the hospital.

She does well to tell Amelia to invite me to most of the events she has on tap.

I have seen the way Troy looks at me whenever I am around his family. He thinks I am some kind of opportunist who wants to get close to them because of their influence.

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