Lahat ng Kabanata ng Black Ties and White Lies: A Billionaire Fake Engagement: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

MARGOI DODGE a few people offering congratulations as I search for Beck. When he’d ran off at first, I hadn’t been too worried. I figured he was set off by Carter showing up. Now I’m not so sure.My steps are quick as I walk the perimeter of the party, smiling at people I’ve never met before as they tell me how happy they are for Beck and me. Most of these people were invited by Beck. I recognize some from work, but for the most part, it’s all new faces stopping me for a quick chat as I look for my fiancé.After not finding Beck anywhere in the grand ballroom, I search the small rooms that connect to the main room. I come up empty handed, having no idea where he ended up. My last-ditch effort is to search the outside terrace after I don’t find him out front on the stairs.I step out onto the terrace. It’s eerily quiet. My arms wrap around my middle, trying to keep myself warm in the frigid air. I should’ve grabbed my coat from the coat check, but I hadn’t expected to be out in the ai

MARGOIT’S NOT the same sleeping alone. I toss and turn all night, unable to turn off my mind with the questions soaring through it. The night wasn’t supposed to end the way it did. We were supposed to come home happy. I wanted to finish what we’d started in the limo. To make do on the promise of me wearing nothing but the heels for him.I roll over in bed to grab my phone off the nightstand. I look at all of the missed notifications. It seems like a lot more people than I’d expected saw how off I was after the encounter I had with Carter. A lot of people were reaching out to check in. The only people I respond to are Winnie and Emma in our group chat.WINNIEHow are you feeling this morning, Margie?EMMAI’m feeling hungover. I thought fancy champagne wasn’t supposed to make you feel like shit?WINNIEI didn’t ask about you. ;)EMMAI was trying to make Margo not feel awkward about leaving.Thanks for blowing my cover, Winnie Boo Boo.I laugh at the nickname for Winnie. She hates it

BECKI STEP out of the rental car, pressing my phone to my ear as I look up at the building in front of me. “How’s she doing?”Ezra sighs on the other line. “Not great, Mr. Sinclair. She’s out for a walk right now, but she isn’t herself.”“She’s walking alone?”“You’d think I’d let her roam alone?” he asks, his tone offended. “No, I’ve followed her. She just doesn’t know it.”I let out a hum of approval. “Thanks, Ezra. I appreciate it.” “Want to talk about what happened?”I scoff, shielding my eyes from the California sun. “Absolutely not.” “Understood,” he clips. “Is there a reason Miss Moretti is talking toyour friend Camden?”I smile, despite how hollow I feel inside. That’s my girl. It doesn’t shock me that she’d use this time away from me to follow her dreams. There’s nothing I want more for her than that. I just hope her dreams still lead back to me. “Because she’s stubborn as hell,” I answer truthfully.Even if Camden gave her a chance to speak with him as a favor to me, that’

BECKI’VE BEEN in boardrooms with some of the most intimidating people in the world, and I’ve never felt the kind of pressure I do right now. Stepping into the penthouse, knowing Margo is somewhere in here ready to either crush my heart or help heal it, has me riddled with anxiety.I’m ready to lay it all out on the line for her, but I can admit to myself that I’m terrified none of it will be enough. What if she can’t get past the lies I told her to get her here? I’d thought I was telling small white lies that wouldn’t make a difference, but white lie after white lie has piled up. What if that isn’t something she’ll get past?“Margo?” I yell into the silent space. There’s no sign of her anywhere. The place has been immaculately kept. I can’t help the fear that bubbles in my chest that wonders if she’s left. Ezra had told me she’d been here in my absence, but what if she’d snuck past him to get away.My throat feels itchy as I take the stairs to her room two at a time. I wasn’t suppose

EPILOGUE - BECK - 3 MONTHSLATERI LOOK at the crowd of people waiting outside in awe. There’s a line outside of the building, and the doors don’t even open for another hour.I hold the bouquet of flowers to my chest as I walk toward the back entrance of the gallery. It’s been hours since I’ve seen Margo—longer than I preferred. She’s been caught up preparing for the event happening tonight, and I let her have her moment. But once this show is over and she’s no longer preoccupied, I’m going to keep her locked in our bedroom for days so I can make up for lost time.The security guard waves me in, my face familiar from the many times I’ve stopped by since Margo and Camden came to an agreement for showcasing her work.At first, it started with one piece of art. It didn’t take long until Camden was fielding calls on when there’d be more pieces by this new to the scene artist. He’d called in the friend card, begging me to ask Margo if she’d complete pieces sooner so they could get an entir