Page 57 of Baby For My Bossy Fake Fiancé

I arranged the plates on the dining table, next to everything else. After that, I placed the cake just before it all.

The cake was plain without any coating. Sarah had informed me that’s how he liked it.

Without wasting time, I raced to the room to take a shower. I still didn’t know if he was in or out. I had restrained myself from asking Fred.

But I knew once it was eight, he’d come around.

Wherever he was, it was routine for him to step out by 8 p.m. I knew this because… not because I was stalking him anyway.

I took a quick shower. After putting on an armless, knee-length black dress, I rushed back to the dining room. Glanced at everything again.

Then sat down to wait for his arrival.

It was exactly 5 p.m. Three more hours to go.

I didn’t want to imagine the look on his face when he arrived. So I turned on the music and let its soft beat sway me into oblivion.

Slowly the clock ticked. An hour passed, and there was no sign of him in the house. I knew that because I had checked— his study and room.

I suddenly couldn’t help the nervousness that filled my gut.

This time it was thick. And seemed to settle in the pit of my stomach. Another hour passed. Still, he wasn’t here.

Perhaps traffic?

I swallowed thickly as I tried to keep the hope alive. But with each tick of the clock, I felt my disappointment rise.

I didn’t know how long I sat staring at the clock. But I knew I watched its slow hands move until it was 12 a.m.

That was when it dawned on me. The day had come to an end. And I had stayed another night because of him.

Chapter Fourteen

Damien

Empty bottles of whiskey taunted my vision. Again, I had broken my vow. To stop drinking.

What I felt wasn’t out of the ordinary. I felt it every year. I should be used to it by now.

But this time, there were voices. And last night, they grew louder, driving me to the edge of insanity.

I had thought it was the end. Finally, my life would be taken in atonement for my sins. But here I still was, after drinking through the night.

Basking in the midst of the solitary piece that gave me peace.

Peace. My lips parted to let out a humourless chuckle. I probably didn’t deserve it.

No, I didn’t deserve it.

I staggered out and winced when my eyes caught a ray of sunlight. How long had it been?

Twenty-four…twenty-eight hours? I must have passed out on the floor. The ache in my body and the growing one in my head were telltale signs.

Blinking rapidly, I focused my distorted retinas on the sight before me.

Towering mountains stood at a distance behind tall, thick trees. Stretching infinitely over the natural scenery.

The air was pure. Unfiltered and smelt fresh. Sunlight poured through the canopies, bouncing off the polished floors of my front porch.

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