Page 44 of Seduced by Her Billionaire Fake Fiancé

“She’s something, isn’t she?” Carlo asked, and Andie was surprised to hear his accent was American.

“She is indeed. A lovely something though.”

“Yes, she is full of love, particularly for her family.”

“I can see why. They’re very special.”

Carlo leaned closer, his voice reverberating against her ear. “I should tell you,” he said, “In case you are tired of pretending, that I know the truth.”

Andie tilted a glance at him, not sure what he meant.

“About you and Max.”

“Oh?” Her heart slammed into her ribs and a plethora of emotions tightened inside her chest, emotions she couldn’t decipher nor understand but that she definitely didn’t like.

“You can relax. Just be yourself with me. Max told me, about the business, the deal you guys have.”

Andie nodded, but a lump had formed in her throat and as she looked across the crowded terrace and her eyes landed on Max, locked in conversation with Leandro and a couple of guests she was sure she’d been introduced to but couldn’t remember, the painful feeling only intensified.

He looked up and found her watching him; Andie quickly glanced away.

“You have an American accent,” she said, gripping her bottle more tightly as she lifted it towards her lips and sipped through the straw.

“I do.”

“Why?” She was distracted, her brain ticking over exactly why Max would have told Carlo about the true nature of their relationship, and why that bothered her so much, and so she asked questions on autopilot, not particularly interested in the answers.

“I went to school there. College too.”

“Your brother?” She grimaced then, putting a hand on his forearm. “Sorry.”

He shook his head. “I like to speak of him. He was a big part of my life. It is right to acknowledge him openly.”

Andie’s eyes softened with sympathy. “I feel the same about my mother,” she said after a pause. “I lost her a couple of years back and the hardest thing is when people feel like they can’t bring her up. I love her, and I have been shaped by her. As I was shaped by losing her. She’s not some dirty secret to be hidden away.”

“Precisamente,” Carlo said with passion. “That is just how I feel.” His smile was genuine and the lump in Andie’s throat softened a little. “Antonio spent time in the States, yes, but this is always where he wanted to live. It’s where his heart was.”

“Do you see his family often? I mean his wife, and child.”

Carlo nodded. “Several times a year. Megan is very good at bringing Antonella back.”

“What a lovely name,” Andie murmured.

A moment later, a woman approached them, and Carlo leaned closer, “Watch out for this one.”

Andie glanced up at him but had no time to ask for further explanation when a striking blonde appeared at their sides.

“Introduce me,” she said to Carlo.

“I’m surprised there’s anyone here Patrizia missed out on connecting me to,” Andie joked, giving the other woman the benefit of the doubt. Carlo shot Andie a bemused look.

“Andie, Esther.”

Esther’s smile was patently false, but Andie did a far better job of returning it.

“I hear congratulations are in order,” the other woman said, not sounding congratulatory at all.

“Thank you. We’re thrilled,” Andie responded, but the performance was difficult to give in front of Carlo. She felt self-conscious now, knowing that Max had broken trust and told him the truth.

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