CHAPTER THREE

I woke up with a migraine, the kind that felt personal like punishment. My skull throbbed as if something inside it was trying to claw its way out. I reached for the other side of the bed, half asleep, half hoping Susan would still be there. My hand met cold sheets.

Of course.

I forced myself upright and dragged my body into the kitchen. Susan stood by the counter, unbothered, brewing tea like the world hadn't nearly imploded the night before.

"Hey, alcoholic," I muttered, throwing her a glare. "You almost got us in trouble last night."

I replied "Whatever."

That smirk flashed through my mind again the stranger from the club, watching like he knew things about me I hadn't said out loud. It lingered, irritating and unwanted.

"Jerk," I said under my breath.

Susan turned slowly. "Was that for me?" she scoffed.

I shook my head. I had never met anyone who could turn chaos into entertainment the way Susan did.

"We need to call Jonathan," I said. "We have to tell him about this whole fake-boyfriend mess."

Susan didn't argue. She grabbed her phone and dialed immediately.

"Hello, Nathan."

"Hey, Suz."

"Jonathan, quick one. Diane needs your help."

"Diane can talk, Suz."

Susan rolled her eyes and shoved the phone into my hand.

"Hello, Jonathan." We exchanged brief pleasantries before I sighed. "I need your help. Those witches are at it again. My half sister is getting married, and her engagement is in four days. I told them I had a boyfriend."

Silence.

"So?" he finally said.

"I want you to pretend to be him."

"Oh, Diane," he laughed softly. "Why do you always do this to yourself?"

Susan snatched the phone. "Just one day, Nathan. You know how they are. They never stop. And Diane always falls for it."

Every. Single. Time.

We laughed, but it felt hollow.

"Fine," Jonathan said. "I'll help just because you're our princess."

"Thank you," I said quickly. "You're too sweet."

"Anything for you, my lady."

Susan rolled her eyes. "I'll text you the address and details."

"Alright. I have to go to work

I rolled my eyes and whispered, "Must be nice."

"Fuck you," Susan shouted.

I laughed, but it didn't last.

When I got home, my mother and sister were already buzzing with excitement, talking over each other about the engagement like it was the event of the century. I greeted my mom, but my sister barely looked at me.

"See who gave us the shocker of our lives," she said, smirking, before disappearing down the hall.

"Shut it, dummy," I muttered. She laughed like she'd won.

My mom studied me carefully. "How are you? Where did you sleep?"

"At Susan's."

As I climbed the stairs, my sister's voice followed me like a taunt.

"Your boyfriend's place?"

I stopped. Turned. Gave her a look sharp enough to cut.

In my room, I collapsed onto the bed and let sleep drag me under again. When I opened my eyes, it felt like time had betrayed me.

It was already a day to Shine's engagement party.

My dad called and told my mom that both families would be doing a quick introduction a small dinner at the Dad's villa.

When my mom told me, I didn't bother hiding my irritation.

"Do I have to be there?"

"Yes," both of them answered at once.

"I don't like this family," I said. "I don't like family dinners. I don't like any of this."

Emily exhaled sharply. "I know you don't have anything doing, but please don't ruin this for me. I need this internship. I need a job in Daddy's company, Diane Jacobs ."

The name felt like a slap.

Mom nodded. "She's right."

Something tightened in my chest.

"So now I'm a liability," I said quietly.

No one argued.

I ran up the stairs before my voice could break and called Susan. She answered immediately, her voice clipped.

"I'm in the middle of a meeting, hun."

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone, then laughed soft, bitter.

"Great," I whispered to the empty room. "Seems I really have to get my life together."

And for the first time, the thought terrified me.