Before our relationship ended, Peter had done worse than cheat. He'd betrayed my trust, maxing out my credit cards and hiding bills, burying me in debt and interest without my knowledge. My credit was now so ruined, no one would rent to me. I was working like a maniac just to dig myself out.
"What, exactly, would I have to do?" I asked.
A glimmer of relief shone in his devastatingly blue eyes. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. I haven't agreed. First, I need to know what you expect."
"My family's PR team will issue a statement. You just need to accompany me during the conference. If anyone questions us—especially the hospital board or the press—you confirm the story."
"Then tell me the story. What am I confirming?"
"Alright… We met in college. Where did you study?"
"University of California."
"Perfect. So did I. That makes it easier if anyone checks. We met through mutual friends. I was in my senior year… Wait, how old are you? Please tell me you're over twenty-four. That you were over eighteen six years ago. It would be a much worse scandal if I'd been with a minor."
He really did think of everything.
"I'm twenty-six. I was twenty."
He breathed an audible sigh of relief. "Perfect. So, we dated briefly, and I never even suspected you were pregnant."
"But you suspected Eleanor. You even freaked out about it."
"No. Inourversion, I didn't freak out. I would never freak out. I'm a balanced man, perfect for high-pressure positions."
"Right… So, you were perfectly calm."
"You were the one who freaked out. You didn't tell me about the pregnancy because… you panicked and decided to raise them alone."
"What? So, I'm the villain in this story?"
"We can blame the pregnancy hormones. It's a built-in alibi. Besides, I'm the one who needs the job."
I started to seriously reconsider if any amount of money was worth becoming the poster child for unstable, deceitful women.
“I also need to get other jobs, you know? Portraying myself as unstable isn’t exactly a great career move. You know what? This is a terrible idea.”
I tried to reach for the door, but Logan stepped in front of it, blocking my path.
“Please, Miss García. Camila assured me you were a good person.”
“She probably told you I was a goodtranslator.”
“Well, yes, that’s what I asked about,” he admitted, frustration creeping into his voice. “But it’s only two days. I’ll make it worth your while, I promise.”
“What good is a payment if it ruins my reputation? With all due respect, Dr. Turner, your situation is… comfortable. Mine isn’t. How do I explain to my friends, my old classmates, my parents, that I’ve had twin daughters all this time? What do I tell them?”
“Your parents and closest friends can know the truth. As for the rest… who cares what they think?They’ll just assume you’re private. And let’s be realistic—this isn’t going to be front-page news. My family’s scandals are fodder for cheap gossip sites. No one of consequence actually reads that stuff.”
I tried to ignore the sting of being lumped in with the “no one of consequence” crowd, even if it was true. If only I’d checked my phone this morning, I could have avoided this entire mess.
He pressed on. “And like I said, in two days, no one will remember. Trust me, I’ve been dealing with this my whole life.”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Turner. The risk is too high for me.”
I sidestepped him and finally reached the door. My hand was on the cool brass knob when his voice stopped me cold.
