Read Faking Forever :: Chapter 5

I stood in my office, still trying to process Carter's ridiculous proposal. A fake marriage? Who even suggests something like that?

But the worst part wasn’t just the shock—it was the nagging thought in the back of my mind. A part of me kept replaying his words, going over the offer repeatedly, as if it actually made sense. No, I told myself for the hundredth time. This is crazy. I sat down at my desk, attempting to concentrate on the projects stacked in front of me, but my mind wouldn’t cooperate.

All I could picture was his face, that calm, almost amused look he had as he presented it like it was the most logical idea ever. He had no shame. "Focus," I muttered under my breath. I opened my laptop and brought up the latest reports, but even the rows of data couldn’t distract me. My thoughts kept drifting back to Carter's words: It's what's best for both of us. I groaned, shutting the laptop with a snap. There was no way this was “best” for anyone.

Then again… marrying Carter Dane would solve a lot of issues. My mother’s constant nagging to settle down, the relentless pressure from society… Stop. I pushed those thoughts aside. This was madness. No matter how perfectly his solution seemed to fit into the chaos of my life, there was no way I was going through with it.

But that didn’t stop me from thinking about him.

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The next morning, as I sipped my coffee, the reality of the situation hit me harder than ever. My usual routine felt off, as if the very air around me had changed. I was restless and distracted—still mulling over the proposal that I should have dismissed without a second thought.

By the time lunch came around, I had accomplished absolutely nothing. I was due to meet a client in an hour, but my mind was elsewhere. Why couldn’t I shake this feeling? I had told Carter no. That should have been the end of it. Yet somehow, it didn’t feel like closure. As I paced my office, my phone buzzed on the desk. The number flashing on the screen was unfamiliar. I hesitated before answering, “Hello?” “Lina.” That voice. I didn’t need to hear more to know who it was. Carter.

“What do you want?” I asked, trying to keep irritation from seeping into my tone. “Have you thought about it?” “About what?” I replied, pretending not to know. “The proposal.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Carter, I already told you no.” “I know. But I think you’ll change your mind.” I clenched my jaw, his confidence infuriating me. “Don’t count on it.” There was a pause on his end, and for a moment, I thought maybe—just maybe—he would let it go. But then, in that calm, measured tone of his, he said, “Look, we both know what’s at stake here. You’re facing more than just business issues. There are some things even you can’t tackle alone.”

My heart skipped a beat. Was he threatening me? “Is that supposed to scare me?” I shot back. “Not at all,” Carter replied smoothly. “But I think you’ll soon realize that having me in your corner could make all the difference.” I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remain composed. “I don’t need your help.” “Maybe not now. But when you do, my offer still stands.” With that, he hung up, leaving me staring at the phone, my mind racing.

He knew something—something I wasn’t ready to confront. And I hated that he was probably right.