Fake Summer Wife

I was already in love with this fascinating girl. If she hadn’t actually been taking things seriously, and I’d been misreading absolutely everything, I honestly didn’t know what I’d do.

Chapter 13

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Claudia

It was one of my biggest fears. That the outgoing, bubbly personality I pulled on every day like a comfy sweater would completely unravel.

How on earth could I have thought that I could hide such a thing from Vaughan? Of course he was going to find out who my father was eventually. If we were going to pretend to be married, or actually have our real relationship progress, he would ask more questions someday, and he would deserve answers.

The thought of Vaughan knowing that I was related to such a shady character actually turned my stomach.

Pulling my hands away, they balled into fists as I gripped my skirt. Shame and deep sadness began to overwhelm me. My hopes for this promising, wonderful new relationship were shattered.

“I’m sorry,” I sniffled, digging in my purse for a tissue. “I haven’t spoken to him in years. I was hoping that he would move away or at least lay low for a while.”

“So he really is your father?” Vaughan asked.

“Yes. It’s horrible. I know that you can’t possibly have your reputation connected to his in any way.”

“Baby, I didn’t say that. I just want to know what’s going on so that we can figure out how to handle it.”

I shook my head firmly after wiping my eyes. “You have a good, steady, family company. I can’t possibly jeopardize that in any way.”

“We’re not quite that fragile,” Vaughan said with a tight smile. “Besides, people might not even connect the dots.”

“If a twit like Jessica can figure it out, anyone can,” I snapped, then clapped a hand over my mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m just…absolutely humiliated to be connected to him, even if it’s in name only. He has bankrupted people before. Dealt with really dangerous people. He’s poisonous, and I don’t want him in my life at all.”

“Then he won’t be,” Vaughan said smoothly. “Just let me take care of it.”

“No. Absolutely not.” I slipped off my seatbelt and squared my shoulders. “This is not your problem, Vaughan. You need to work on all of your new connections, and making your family proud. I don’t factor into any of that.”

“Claudia, I—”

“No,” I said firmly. “I’m not going to be the one to ruin your father’s legacy, your family’s reputation. People will probably forget they even met me in a couple of months, then I can be gone from your life.”

“Please, baby, just—”

“Let me go,” I begged. “This is hard enough as it is, Vaughan. Please just give me a clean break and don’t make it worse.”

As I grabbed my purse, the emerald and diamond ring sparkled from my finger. Slipping it off, I dropped it into his palm, unable to meet his eyes.

I jumped out of the truck, not giving him time to come around and help me down. It was worth nearly twisting my ankle to get away. I knew that if he held me in those thick arms for even a second, my resolve might falter. My body craved his for comfort, and I didn’t want to be weak.

As soon as I was in my apartment with the door locked behind me, I fell into a heap on the couch, my sobs shaking the pieces of my broken heart.

I’d been so focused on pretending everything was going to be perfect that I hadn’t thought things through. M y outgoing personality was great for work, but it wasn't strong enough to last forever.

It didn’t matter now. It was over. Vaughan would certainly never forgive me for potentially embarrassing him, and for running away like a scared child. He couldn’t risk everything for me. I certainly wasn’t worth it.

He needed someone who could help him a lot more than I ever could. Someone who could be on committees, and mingle with those women who seemed obsessed with talking about their husbands.

That wasn’t really the life for me anyway. I just wanted to be with Vaughan. If puzzle pieces don’t fit, you can’t force them. They’ll only break.

* * *

For the next three days, I