Hope

Killian hadn't spoken much to me since we drove to the airport and got into his private jet.

I didn't pry. I didn't think I needed to. I could only guess that he was still upset about yesterday since he'd left me alone at the party and went home. But I had the right to be upset too you know. I mean, if he hadn't played the asshole dictator role with me, I wouldn't have had to say those words.

Notwithstanding this, we ended up both ignoring each other and I whiled away my time by reading one of the many novels I'd packed for this trip. It wasn't until he pulled out a small brown briefcase and slapped it open with a loud click on the table that I finally looked up from page 34 of Elle Kennedy's novel, claimed.

"This is our backstory." He slapped the flat document down on the table.

Well, look who finally decided to speak.

"Where we met, how we fell in love, how I proposed, our acquaintances, etcetera." He continued.

I dropped my novel and picked up the paper. "I take it you've already figured out how this whole travesty is going to end?"

He nodded. "You're going to be filing for divorce because you realized it's just not working between us and this lavish lifestyle isn't for you."

My lips pursed. "So that leaves you playing the heartbroken, grieving husband while I become the center of social media speculation?"

"That's the only way." He closed the briefcase and put it aside before turning his attention back to me. "I've made arrangements for our honeymoon to also be in London."

My brows creased. "Is that really necessary?"

"If you want this to be believable, yes. We'll stay for three days or less in one of the resorts."

Not like I had much of a choice. "Alright."

He leaned back into his seat and crossed a leg over the other. "I think it's important we know the basics of our families. You should start by telling me about yours."

I looked up at him. "There's nothing much to them. I haven't seen my father in years, my mother single-handedly raised me and my brother helped. We're a close-knit family and get by with the little we have. That's all."

"Relatives?"

"We're not close to any of them. Just my aunty in Oklahoma."

He nodded knowingly. "Did you ever try finding him? Your father?"

"I didn't. He left us because he didn't want us. Plus I heard he started a new family."

"And your relationships? Did your father's cowardice affect your view of men?"

I shifted uncomfortably on my chair and recrossed my legs. Why did it feel like I was being interviewed?

"I didn't give up on love and relationships because of my father," I told him. "I did so because men were generally shit and I'd had my fair share of it. I think finding real love in this era is almost impossible so I don't bother to dive into obvious pain and heartache anymore."

His brow raised in intrigue. "Well, you weren't a virgin when we met so I'm guessing you dated once upon a time in your life?"

My silence was the only confirmation he needed.

He hummed. "Tell me about him."

"You know, you're asking an awful lot of questions and giving me nothing in return."

He rolled his eyes. "Don't try to change the subject and just answer."

I narrowed my eyes. "I met him in college. Thought he was in love with me. He claimed he did and I was naive so I believed him. But after we slept together, he cheated and then dumped me when I found out." I sighed. "He said he needed a real woman, not a stick."

"Well he wasn't wrong about the stick part. You need to eat more."

"I eat." I snapped, affronted.

He waved me off. "What'd you do about your college boyfriend?"

"I didn't do anything, I couldn't. Just focused on my studies and moved on."

"Pretty factual."

"What do you mean?"

"You could've slept with his best friend or turned into a mean bitch to get your revenge but you choose to just move on."

"I'm not that dramatic," I replied. "What about you? Do you believe in love?"

He shook his head. "Love doesn't exist for men like me."

"And why do you think so?"

"Because, Sterling, women look at me and see two things. Money and primal, sheet-clawing fucking. They see all of that material bullshit and think it's the life they want. They don't want me, just the expensive dresses and diamond earrings I can afford."

"Not all women want your money," I stated, feeling the need to defend my gender.

He sighed and shook his head. "I find that to be a little esoteric."

"So you mean to say you haven't dated anyone that didn't necessarily stick around for the money?"

Something shifted in the air between us. I stared at him, waiting for him to answer me as the silence lengthened.

"Well," he let out a slow measured breath and raked his hand over his hair. "There was one. But it ended pretty badly."

"Cheated, broke up with you?"

His words were clipped. "It's deeper and much worse than you might think and don't ask because I'm not telling."

I frowned. "But you found no problem compelling me for my own information."

He shrugged. "Would've found out one way or the other."

"You don't—" I opened my mouth but his warning glare told me this conversation was over.

I sighed. "Well at least give me something. Your family perhaps. You said your mother was dead. How did she die?"

His eyes shot at me and they beamed with an emotion I tried my hardest to read but couldn't. Grief? Resentment? Sadness? Pain?

The intercom suddenly lit up and the pilot's voice came over the speaker, distracting me from my evaluation.

"Touch down in five minutes. Please fasten your seat belts."

He turned away from me and fastened his seatbelt. He just outrightly ignored my question and I didn't even know what to say to him so I just fastened my own seatbelt and looked outside the window.

From the airport to when we made it to the mansion grounds, we didn't speak to each other.

As soon as the large black gates opened and the driver drove in, I felt a jolt of nervous excitement whisk through me. From a distance, the house looked breathtaking.

When the driver cut the engine in front of the entrance door, Killian turned to me. "Are you ready?"

I swallowed hard, reminding myself that none of this was real and I didn't need to try so hard. "Sure."

We climbed out of the car together and he grabbed my hand in his, but they didn't stay long there because when the door long enough to accommodate a herd of giraffes lunged open to reveal the beautifully groomed blonde now running down the stone pathway towards him, he let go of my hand just in time to catch her as she flung herself into his arms, embracing him in a joyful hug.

"Oh, Eve," his face broke Into a full-blown smile as he swung her around, earning another peal of squealing laughter from her. "I've missed you."

Now, I didn't mean to be the buzz kill but seeing Killian smiling this genuinely felt weird on so many levels.

"I've missed you too Vaughn." He set her down and chuckled softly. She looked in her early teens. "Eve, I'd like you to meet the woman I intend to marry."

When Eve drew her attention away from him and swung it over to me, her eyes lit up. "Oh my gosh. You're theeee Hope? My brother's wife to be?"

I chuckled softly, trying to push away my nervousness. "Yes, I am."

"Oh my!" She gushed, giddy with excitement. "How the hell did he make you fall for him? It's so nice to finally meet you. When my sister, Gwen told me he was seeing someone I was skeptical and thought he was making it all up but you're here, in flesh!"

I tried hard not to blush. "Well, I—" my words choked back at the sudden speed with which she embraced me. "Welcome, welcome welcome! We're going to have lots of fun together and I can't wait to show you all the cool things in my room! You love books, don't you? Please say yes!"

I didn't know why but this girl made my heart warm. "Yes." I chuckled. "Yes, I do."

"Great! I have a full shelf of them, from Anaïs Nin, to Sylvia Day, and even..." She leaned closer and whispered into my ear. "...Diana Gabaldon."

I gasped, amused. "Really?"

"Shh. My mother doesn't know I have then stored in—"

"Mother doesn't know what?" The aged feminine voice that echoed from the doorway made all our heads turn.

"Mother!" Eve gleamed, running to her side. "Hope, and I was just having a lovely conversation about books. Can you believe it? She loves books just like me."

"Is that so." An older woman approached us, her long, butterscotch hair tied back in a low English bun.

"Mother." Killian soothed, kissing her cheek before pulling her into a hug. "I've missed you."

"I find that hard to believe." She scowled, basking in his warmth. "You don't call unless I do. You don't visit on holidays anymore. I believe to think that I raised you better than this." She admonished, pulling away lightly and brushing the invisible lint from the shoulder of his blazer.

"I've been busy, mother." He told her, smiling from ear to ear.

"Surely not busy enough to get a haircut." She swiped her hand into his hair and pulled it out of his face. "Fix it. It's starting to get messy and I don't like it."

"I will mother."

"You better." When she moved away from him, her face suddenly snapped my way and I felt a whoosh of air leave my lungs as she studied me with sharp eyes, her eyes running up and down my dress.

I had gone with something cool today since I didn't want to send the wrong message.

Killian's voice broke the brooding silence. "Mother," he held my hand and squeezed. "This is—"

"I know who she is," She cut him, fully turning to me and I felt like my insides were going to shit themselves. "I'm a little disappointed that I only met my son's fiancee after he proposed." A small smile broke loose on her lip. "You look a lot prettier in person my dear and I can't tell you how glad we all are to have you."

Relief washed over me. "I am honored to finally meet you, Mrs. Fobster. Your son is an imbecile for not telling you about our engagement sooner. I apologize for him."

She nodded, seemingly amused. "I agree with you that he's an imbecile." She sent him a sidelong glare and then turned back. "Welcome to the family, dear, and please call me Mary."

I smiled and nodded.

She motioned to the door. "Why don't we all go in, it's a bit chilly out here."

"Sure."