Though Emery's gaze was fixated on the flats she had managed to slip on, she could feel her Aunt's scorching glare.

“You thought you were pregnant so you eloped to have a hushed wedding?” Diana reworded her explanation from minutes ago, uttering each word in that statement with as much disdain as possible.

Furious wasn't the word to describe her. She was beyond disappointed in Emery for dragging the Delado's name through the mud, by associating herself with a man like Miles Dekker.

“We didn't do it, okay? We didn't get married.” Emery repeated. “And I'm not pregnant.” She stated as a matter of fact.

Diana's glare only intensified. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” She rubbed her temple as she lowered herself onto the couch opposite Emery.

A moral lecture was definitely on the way. Natalia, on the other hand, tried not to bat in and busied herself in the kitchen with some cookies Diana had brought along.

The thought of marrying Miles for the sake of a fake pregnancy made her stomach roll in waves and though it was his plan, the retired nurse would have detected the lie if she had agreed to Miles's idea so she had come clean.

Though it was not enough to extricate her from her current predicament.

“How could you even think of doing something like this?” Diana lashed out again.

Emery cowered at her Aunt's stern tone. “What would you have me do?” She slapped herself mentally after those words slipped out of her lips.

“For starters, you could have closed your legs.”

Emery's face heated up at her Aunt's plain words when a conjured image of her and Miles tangled in sheets came to mind. But she quickly brushed the sinful thoughts aside as fast as it came and gave the angry woman before her, her undivided attention.

“Aunt I-” Diana interrupted her again, making Emery groan inward like a dying warhorse.

“And you don't marry someone just because you're expecting their child! You marry for the sake of love, companionship and to honor the Lord! Marriage is a sacred bond, Emery and your parents taught you better than this.” Diana lashed out before rubbing the salt in Emery's wound. “If only William and Jae were here.”

Emery's heart slammed against her chest at the painful reminder of her late parents. Of course, her Aunt would guilt trip her to make her see reason—in Diana's own way. It may have worked before but not today.

Emery declared her next lie before she could stop herself. “I love Miles and me marrying him has nothing to do with carrying his child. We both wanted this.”

Phew. Miles would've been proud of her if he could see her performance. Emery almost laughed at her own silly thought but regarding Diana's increasing glare, she thought better of it.

“You love him?” Diana mimicked. “How long have you even known this man? Talk about falling in love with him or sharing his bed!”

Emery flinched. “Aunt-”

“Or maybe you're in love with his money and fame since that's all you young ladies of this century-”

That was the last straw. “That's enough, Aunt.” One could hear a pin drop after Emery snapped back.

“Believe it or not, I'm not a child. I know what I want... and this is it.” Emery affirmed.

Diana's wide eyes and gaped mouth told of her astonishment. Emery had always been the dotting little niece so experiencing such an outburst from her did shock the woman to the core.

Diana nodded solemnly and edged off the couch. She scrutinized her niece for the last time but seemed to hold back further comments.

“If this is what you truly want, then go ahead. I have my own problems to deal with anyway but don't say I didn't warn you,” She said in finality.

Emery's chest tightened as she watched the only caring relative who had stuck by her all this while, walk out on her.

She wanted to tell Diana the absolute truth about her reasons for marrying Miles, but thinking about a foundation that supported hundreds of families, Emery held herself back.

She had given Miles her word to help him and she was not going to leave him stranded.

Emery braced herself on the couch when the front door slammed shut after her Aunt. Natalia finally emerged from the kitchen and pulled her into a hug.

“I'm really sorry about Diana. If there's anything I can do to make this better, tell me and I'll do it.” Natalia said gently. “It's partly my fault for advising you to seek that man out in the first place... I'm so sorry, Em.”

Emery glanced up at her friend who seemed to be on the verge of tears as well and offered her a soft smile. Growing up as neighbors next door, they had both been each other's keeper for as long as she could remember.

“You did nothing wrong, Talia. I will do it all over again if it means getting Chris back on his feet...I will do it for him.” Emery hugged her back.

“I know.” Natalia sighed.

When they pulled away from each other's arms, Emery asked, “Wanna help me pack?” Natalia raised a brow at the question. She sighed and added. “Miles wants me to stay with him till the media uproar mellows.”

“That's great. I knew that guy was thoughtful.” Natalia winked.

Emery to roll her eyes. “Come on.” She led the way to her bedroom.

For the next hour or two, Natalia helped her pack some clothes, memorabilia and other needed stuff.

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

‘It's a family dinner, not an execution. Mom wants you there so make it a point to show up. With her.’

From the measured tone of his snob of a brother, Miles knew Ashton was resisting the urge to yell some sense of responsibility into him—but that did not change his mind.

“Tell her that I can't make it and neither can my fiancée.”

Miles hung up and strode towards the marble island where Emery sat. “Now let's talk.”

She ignored him as she had been doing for the last couple of minutes and continued to fiddle with her plate of Mac and cheese.

Her voice gave her away on the phone when she called him minutes ago. Right away Miles knew something was wrong with her but she would not disclose anything so he went to pick her up instead of sending his driver as scheduled.

Though his bachelor suite in Menzgold was not the ideal place for a couple, that would have to do for the meantime till he arranges for a new house.

A home he wanted Emery to pick herself.

“Come on, talk to me. What happened?” Miles probed once again.

“I don't want to talk about it,” She mumbled.

“Then I guess I'd have to find out for myself...”

“Miles-”

“Em come on... wait, does this have anything to do with what happened in the Bahamas? Cause if that's the case then I'm sorry...”

“You regret it?” She blurted before she could stop herself.

Though it was a stolen kiss, the thought of him regretting their heartwarming caress caused a pang of uneasiness in her chest.

“No.” Miles said in all sincerity. “Do you?” He asked with a grin.

Emery shook her head and looked down at her plate, away from his keen stare. The man could be so plain at times but a part of her enjoyed his naughty way of thinking.

The lustful tension between the two became evident after their confessions and Miles wanted nothing more than to have a taste of those lush lips again. He yearned to hear those arousing moans once more while he explores every curve of her body.

Emery's thoughts weren't far from his.

Or maybe you're in love with his money and fame. Diana's derisive words were all it took for Emery to dilute the ambiance with her next words.

“Look, I understand if there's ever the need for us to incorporate what happened yesterday in our act to make people believe us... but that should be the only reason.”

In other words, there must be no strings attached other than pretenses. Miles interpreted.

He was not expecting that answer. Not because he held hearty feelings for Emery—Miles was almost sure he didn't, but the girl's responsiveness during the act contradicted her very own words. Which did confuse him.

“As you wish.” He agreed though he did not mean any of it.

She was his.

Even if it was for a couple of months. She was his and he would ravish her over and over again if the chance presented itself. And despite her words, Miles knew she would be equally willing.

“Now tell me what's wrong.”

Emery did not have the heart to recount her tiff with her Aunt but knowing this stubborn man would pester her about it, she told him everything.

“She would've seen through my lie if I had insisted that I was pregnant as planned.” She took a sip of her glass of water.

Miles's fingers drummed on the island as he mowed over her words. “I'm sorry you had to face her wrath.”

“It's fine. I should be apologizing for ruining your plans.”

“It's alright. I wasn't a fan of that idea in the first place but I thought it'd get my family off my back. With their no bastard child allowed in the Dekker family propaganda, a fake pregnancy would have given us a free sail through a fast forward marriage... but it's all good.”

Emery picked up her plate and strode over to the bin. “Again, sorry for going off script. I promised to help you and I'm not going to screw things up.”

Miles watched her stiff features as she dumped the remains of her food into the bin. She went over to the sink to wash the plate.

“I guess our fabricated love story should work then...”

The words sounded odd even to his ears but of course, it was a fabricated love story. It was not as if they held that kind of affection for each other. Miles convinced himself.

“I guess so.” Emery agreed against her erratic heartbeat.

Why did she sound unsure? Emery questioned. She brushed the thought aside as soon as it came to mind, and placed the washed dish on the draining board.

She turned to face him and asked, “Why did you refuse to attend your family dinner?”

“I'm not in any mood to deal with them,” Miles grunted.

Emery leaned against the counter and crossed her hands over her chest. “Miles...” He glanced at her. “If we want to convince the board that you are a changed man, a family man for that matter... then you have to start acting like an ideal family man.”

Miles scoffed. “Are you ready to meet them? Cause believe me, they are the most unbearable creatures to walk this earth.”

Emery chuckled at his response and Miles couldn't help but join in on the jolly laughter. She combed a hand through her loosened hair and he couldn't take his eyes off her. She was beautiful.

“You're mean.” She said with a shake of her head.

“Anyone who speaks the truth is mean so I'll pass,” He countered playfully.

“They are your family, Miles. You never know what you have until it's taken from you.” She mumbled but Miles heard her.

He got up and strode over to her. “Hey.” She looked up at him. “Whether this is fake or not...” He pointed between them. “I'm family now. You have your brother and Nat and I think Lewis likes you too. And Diana. Despite what she says.” She chuckled amidst misty eyes.

“And who knows? You might capture my family's heart as well.” She returned his smile. “I'm here, Em. Whenever you need me.” She met his gaze when he said that.

Miles pulled her into a hug before he could stop himself and she hugged him back out of reflex. He smiled.

Emery sighed as she buried her face in his chest— his hold, calming the torrent of emotions coursing through her. He stroked her back gently and that was how the two stayed for the next few seconds. In each other's arms.

“Thank you.” Emery said when she managed to untangle herself from his arms. She felt safe in his arms and this time, she did not deny that.

Miles beamed. “The club opens in an hour, wanna waste the night with me?”

Emery nodded. “Let's do it...”

His cell phone rang. “Sorry.” Miles mouthed and picked up. “Doctor Hanna?”

‘Evening Mr. Dekker. I've been trying to get in touch with Ms. Delado for some time now. Kindly relay my message to her. Her brother has regained consciousness.’

“That's good to hear. Thank you for calling. We're on our way.”

“Doctor Hanna?” Emery questioned when he hung up. Miles nodded with a bright smile. A smile that failed to thaw her worry.

“What happened? Is Chris OK?” She asked pensively.

“Come with me.” Miles grabbed her gently by the wrist and led her out of the suite.