Page 14 of Let Me Love You

Serenity opens her mouth to speak, but my phone rings. She motions for me to pick it up, so I do.

“I thought you weren’t going to answer,” Isabella says. “Are you busy? I think maybe you should come stop by and explain to him—”

My sigh cuts her off. “There’s nothing wrong with Dad’s brain. Everything he’s saying is true.”

The line goes silent save for my sister’s breathing. I can feel Serenity’s eyes on me, but I don’t look at her.

“You better not be lying to him. He’s scared, and the only thing keeping him sane is the belief you’re getting married for love.” Isabella says the last word like it’s a curse.

Serenity straightens beside me, and it clicks. She can hear my sister.

“Let’s talk about this later. For now, don’t worry about me.”

As I hang up, Serenity grabs a new beer, pops it open, and downs it. Then she chugs a second one. I’m about to question her sanity when she says, “Fine. I’ll do it. But only for a year.”

My body suddenly feels as light as a feather, and my chest balloons. “Really?”

“Yes, now stop questioning me before I change my mind.” I open my mouth to thank her, but she shoots me a look. “I don’t want to be a trophy wife. I enjoy my career, and I won’t throw away having the privilege of helping people because of you.”

I nod, taking a mental note of her conditions so I can relay them to my lawyer. I admire her determination to help people, especially when most people would immediately quit their jobs in her situation.

“Summer will remain my focus. But I do promise to show your father that we’re ‘happily married,’” she says the last part with air quotes.

“Of course. You’ll have to move in with me in New York. And there are a few engagements I’ll need you to attend with me, but other than that, you’re free to work and spend as much time with Summer as you want.”

“So, what do we do now?” Uncertainty enters her voice.

“I’ll speak with my lawyer about a contract, and then we’ll get married this weekend.”

At this point, I’m not sure if I’ve entered a dreamland. For the first time since my father had a heart attack, the anvil on my chest rises an inch.

Chapter 6

Serenity

Iarrive home from work later than usual. Tammy, another registered nurse at my hospital, came in late, so I stayed until she could clock in. Dr. Evans—always the most understanding—told me I could go home, but there are some other higher-ups who aren’t as lenient.

When I called Sully to let him know, he said he’ll take care of everything. What would I do without him? If Summer was still at the daycare, I’d get another warning.

After changing into my pajamas and kissing an already asleep Summer, I plop down on the couch. I’ve spent the last twenty-four hours agonizing over the fact I agreed to marry my sister’s ex-fiancé. This should be what Everlasting Love aired if they wanted drama and not what Victor and Harmony went through.

Victor threw out half a million dollars like it was pocket change. That amount is life changing for me. I’ll be able to keep my home, get rid of the loan sharks, and have money left over for any emergencies. That way, once the year is up, Summer and I will still have our home.

I sigh. I almost held my ground, but I guess my nurse’s heart got the better of me. When I thought about how I’d be able to keep Summer safe and that I’d be able to return the favor to Victor by helping him grant his father’s last wish, it didn’t feel like I was practically prostituting myself for money.

Scratch that. Sex wasn’t part of the agreement.

Our wedding is in two days, and I still haven’t told Harmony. Knots twist my stomach. I’m such a shit sister.

Fuck. Why did I agree to a fake marriage? Those only exist in the romance books I read, and unlike those novels, I won’t fall madly in love with him. No, in my experience with my late husband, men are deceivers, never to be trusted. I learned that lesson the hard way when Paul took every cent and then left me with a mountain of debt.

You have one week to pay us $50,000 or else next time, I’ll take the girl. That’s more motivation than needed.

My phone vibrates on the arm of the couch.

I stare at it. After my extra-long shift, my limbs are too weak to reach for it. It has to be Harmony. She’s the only person who texts me. Everyone else listens when I say I hate texting.

It vibrates again.