FAYE'S POV
My mother blinked once, clearly startled—then her smile widened, bright and completely unsuspecting.
That was when the lie took shape.
"My, my," she said, eyeing Sterling from head to toe. "You didn't tell us you had a boyfriend, Faye."
I forced a tight smile, my mind screaming.
BOYFRIEND?!
Sterling only smiled harder, clearly enjoying every second of my silent panic.
"I was hoping to surprise you," he said smoothly. "Faye's… modest. She doesn't like talking about us."
US?!
I turned my head sharply to glare at him, but he leaned closer, his breath brushing my ear.
"Smile," he murmured. "Unless you want to explain everything. Right here."
My stomach dropped.
My father stepped closer, drying his hands on a towel, his voice warm but curious. "Young man," he said, extending his hand. "I don't believe we've met. What's your name?"
Panic sliced through me.
"Dad—" I cut in too fast, too loud. "I need him for a second."
I didn't give anyone time to react. I grabbed Sterling's wrist and dragged him away from my parents, past the counter, past the curious stares, straight out the front door.
Only when we were outside, away from them but not far enough did I let go.
"Are you insane?" I hissed. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Sterling looked down at my hand like it had personally offended him.
"You're welcome," he said mildly.
"For ruining my life?" I snapped.
His lips curved faintly. "You were managing that well enough on your own."
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "You had no right to come here. No right to say that. My parents—"
"—are watching us," he cut in smoothly, tilting his head toward the glass windows.
I followed his gaze despite myself. My mother and father stood side by side, pretending not to stare while doing exactly that.
Heat crept up my spine. If they sensed something was wrong—if even a fraction of the truth slipped out—it wouldn't just be embarrassing. It would destroy them. My father's pride. My mother's trust. The restaurant they'd built with shaking hands and borrowed money.
Sterling leaned closer. "Now," he said quietly, "you can either keep arguing with me out here… or hear my proposal."
I let out a bitter laugh. "A proposal? What is this, another way to scare me?"
Something shifted in his expression.
The amusement drained from his face, leaving behind something colder. He straightened, his jaw tightening, his eyes darkening in a way that made my chest constrict.
"This isn't a game, Faye."
The way he said my name slowly and deliberately sent a shiver down my spine.
"I wouldn't joke about this," he continued. "Get in the car."
"I'm not—"
"Unless," he added softly, "you want to explain everything to them. Including why you were pretending to be someone else."
I looked back at the restaurant again. My parents were still watching.
My choice wasn't really a choice.
Without another word, I turned and got into the car.
Sterling's demeanor changed the moment Curtis pulled away from the curb.
"Let's be clear," he said, eyes forward. "I haven't let you off the hook just yet. How will you take responsibility?"
My hands twisted in my lap. "I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I know it was wrong. I shouldn't have gotten involved at all. I didn't think—"
"Your apology won't fix this," he interrupted, turning to me at last, "And even if I were inclined to accept it," he continued calmly, "my grandfather will not."
His gaze pinned me in place.
"That dinner wasn't just a casual date, Faye. My grandfather arranged it. A step toward a union he'd wanted for years."
A chill slid down my spine.
"My grandfather is expecting a marriage. If he learns that Evie Sawyer sent an impostor in her place—" his jaw tightened "—her family will pay for it. You have no idea what he's capable of."
I hadn't just crossed a line. I'd stepped into a world I didn't belong in. I had done it just for money, for survival. But I had interfered in something far bigger than myself.
And if my parents ever found out….
The weight of it crushed down on me all at once.
My parents' faces came to mind first. My mother's tired smile. My father's hands, always rough from work, always steady. I imagined those hands shaking. Their world being picked apart by people with power and questions and no mercy.
Then the restaurant. The smell of oil and spice. The place that had survived debts and bad seasons—gone, not from failure, but because of me.
My throat tightened.
This wasn't embarrassment or fear of exposure.
This was the certainty that one desperate lie could destroy everything they had built.
And I would be the reason.
"I'll take responsibility," I said quietly.
Sterling's brows lifted a fraction.
"Whatever that means," I added. "Just… leave Evie out of it. Please."
For a long moment, he said nothing. Then he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a thick envelope, sliding it into my hands.
"What's this?" I asked, already opening it.
My eyes skimmed the pages. Legal language. Terms ….
"A contract," he said, voice cool and businesslike. "You will assume the role of my wife. Of course you'll be compensated generously and your family's identity will be protected from the press. Plus, you will retain full rights to the name you bear."
My chest felt too tight to breathe. "You've thought this through."
"I don't make impulsive decisions."
The knot in my chest tightened. "This—this is insane."
"This arrangement will last one year," he continued. "After that, we part ways. Permanently."
I stared at him with my mouth open. "You're serious."
"I wouldn't offer this if I weren't serious."
He held out his hand towards me, "this is how you take responsibility."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"Marry me, Faye."
I stared at his outstretched hand, knowing that once I took it, nothing would ever be simple again.