Semua Bab Fake Dating My Ex's Favourite Hockey Player: Bab 31 - Bab 40

LIAM The hum of the plane fills the silence between us. Emilia’s fingers are still laced with mine, her grip is not as tight as before but it’s still there. I don’t mention it, though. I also don’t mention how warm her hand is, or how her thumb rests just slightly against mine, like she forgot to move it. She’s staring out the window now, her book abandoned in her lap. She hasn’t turned a page in fifteen minutes. “See anything interesting?” I ask, my voice low. She turns her head, eyes flicking to mine. “Clouds.” “Fascinating.” She rolls her eyes, but there’s a small, almost reluctant smile playing on her lips. “You asked.” I lean back in my seat, shifting slightly so our arms touch again. “I did. But you could’ve lied. Told me you saw something cool. A UFO. A portal to another dimension. Something.” She huffs a quiet laugh. “Right. Next time, I’ll make up a story.” “Looking forward to it.” Her fingers twitch slightly against mine, and I swear I feel a spark run up my arm.

EMILIALiam doesn’t stop moving, doesn’t loosen his grip, doesn’t even look back. He just pulls me through the chaos like he’s the only thing keeping me grounded. And maybe he is. The cameras flash, reporters shout, but all I can focus on is the warmth of his hand wrapped around mine.We break through the crowd, and only then does he slow down. But his grip? Still firm. Like he’s afraid if he lets go, I’ll disappear.He turns to me, his jaw tight, his chest rising and falling like he’s barely holding himself together. “If something is ever not okay,” he starts, voice low but edged with anger. Then he looks at me, and the anger melts into something else — something raw. “Tell me.”I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.Liam shakes his head, his fingers tightening around mine. “You’re not going on this cruise alone, Emilia. I’m here. With you. So when something makes you uncomfortable, when you don’t like something — what’s the first thing you should do?”My heart is still thump, thump

The staff takes care of our luggage, wheeling it away toward the cabins. But since they’re off-limits until midnight, Liam and I are left with nothing to do. It doesn’t take much to convince me to go exploring with him, so we run off the second we can and leave Becca and Zane to their own world. I thought the ship was massive when I first stepped on, but now, as I take it all in, I realize I underestimated just how big it really is. It’s gorgeous, but also overwhelming. Like a city floating on water. There are three floors above the one we’re currently walking through, and if the rest of the ship looks anything like this, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. We’re at the atrium now, and it’s breathtaking. A massive glass dome stretches above us, letting the last bits of sunlight pour through. There’s a grand staircase in the center, wide and elegant, leading to the upper decks. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over everything. Soft music plays in the back

EMILIA Evening comes around faster than I expect, and to my absolute horror, Liam and I are forced to drag ourselves to the deck for some grand announcement from the soon-to-be-weds. I feel like I’ve said this a million times, but the cruise is massive — so big that the thirty-something guests on board feel like a drop in the ocean. Either they’re too busy lounging in their luxury suites, avoiding Liam and me, or this ship is just that enormous, because after running into Stone, we don’t see a single familiar face. Not that I’m complaining. Liam’s hand is warm in mine as we make our way to the deck, his thumb tracing idle circles against my skin like he doesn’t even realise he’s doing it. I don’t know if it’s meant to be comforting or if he just likes touching me, but either way, it’s convincing enough. My heart shouldn’t be beating this fast from something so simple. “Remind me again why we’re going to this thing?” I mumble, leaning into him slightly. “Because we’re technical

Who’s real? Who’s not? Emilia Janice Carter, the poor bakery owner, or Emily Margaux Vanderbilt, the estranged daughter of billionaire couple Genevieve and Andrew Vanderbilt?The headline loops in my mind, over and over, like a bad dream I can’t wake up from.My stomach twists violently, and I hunch over the toilet, retching.Liam is right beside me, one hand rubbing slow, soothing circles on my back, the other holding my hair away from my face. His touch is steady and reassuring, but I can hear the worry in his voice.“Breathe, love. Just breathe.”I squeeze my eyes shut. I can’t breathe.Because it’s out now.The truth.The secret I’ve spent years protecting.Exposed for the whole world to see.Liam helps me up and I stand in front of the mirror, leaning onto the sink for support. I open the tap, rinse my mouth and face. My movements are automated and I can vaguely feel Liam let go of me.Then I hear the sound of the toilet flush.My chest tightens.The air feels too thick, too heav