Chapter 17

Liya tried her best to disguise her puffy eyes with concealer. She wished she owned more color cosmetics so she could hide the deep shadows beneath her eyes as well.

Blake had bought her story. She’d been dead set on confronting the billionaire tycoon. Thank God, she changed her mind. Or rather thank God for Sophia’s outburst. She wanted to set her mind at ease and turn the tables on Blake but what about Sophia? She’d never thought about Sophia when she’d planned to confront Blake. Sophia was the reason Blake went through with this facade in the first place and, Sophia was the reason she’d carry on with it. She made her way to Sophia’s bedroom to help her dress.

She secured Sophia’s hair away from her face with a few clips. Sophia was an innocent caught in a battle of lies and deceit – first with Alicia and now with Blake. She would never give Alicia a chance to be alone with the child. Liya shuddered when she recalled the abuse Sophia had suffered at Alicia’s hands. For that reason alone, she would never reveal this charade to anyone. She wouldn’t place Sophia in any danger. She’d rather live a lie than endanger the girl’s life. Someone knocked on the door, breaking through her thoughts.

“Come in.”

“Daddy,” Sophia squealed.

Blake smiled. “If Liya doesn’t mind, I’d love to accompany you two on your shopping spree.”

Sophia slid off her bed and hugged her father’s legs. “I’d love that, Daddy. Liya loves it too, don’t you?”

“We should ask her first,” Blake said.

Liya kept her tone neutral. “I don’t mind at all.” She avoided meeting Blake’s gaze. Her discovery of his deceitful game was far too fresh on her mind. Had he asked her to play along, she actually would have. She’d have been happy to help defeat Alicia in court. Stripping her off her maternal rights for the way she’d abused her own flesh and blood was a small consolation.

Liya was aware of him studying her. Had he noticed the change in her attitude?

“Are you two ready to leave?” Blake asked.

“Yeah,” Sophia squealed.

“Yes, I am,” she replied, avoiding meeting Blake’s gaze altogether. She wondered if she could keep this up much longer. Her anger was taking its toll on her, eating away at her energy.

“Are you okay, Liya?”

Yeah,” Liya lied before taking Sophia’s hand. ‘I guess I’m still a bit overwhelmed from all the recent attention.” She flashed Blake a fake, bright smile.

“Liya, you sit next to Daddy, in the Mommy Seat. It belongs to you now.”

Liya’s heart skipped a beat. Blake didn’t correct Sophia. If only Sophia knew the truth. How would Blake explain to Sophia they weren’t getting married? He wouldn’t have reason to keep up the pretense once he won his custody case but how would he explain Liya’s absence once he’d got what he wanted out of the engagement?

At least the drive to the mall was a short one. Despite Liya’s anger, she snuck glances every now and then at Blake while he drove. If only she hadn’t overhead his conversation and discovered his true intentions. Maybe then she’d have still been happily in love with Blake and looking forward to her upcoming wedding.

People stared and pointed at them as Blake drove to the mall. Liya wished he hadn’t thrust her into the spotlight. What lies would the media spread when Blake called off the engagement? How would it affect her reputation? Had he considered that when he’d faked his marriage proposal to her? Whatever fantasies she’d harbored of being his wife had long dissolved. Now all she could think about was how would she leave without upsetting Sophia?

What did Blake think of her? She stole a glance at him, hoping to read his expression and got nothing. Zero. Well, it was a good thing Blake was concentrating on the road ahead. It gave her a chance to take in the rest of his appearance. Blake had changed into snug, indigo jeans and a muscle hugging T-shirt that showed his abs off to perfection.

She’d fallen in love with the man who’d cared enough about his daughter to hire her a babysitter she’d chosen. She’d fallen in love with a doting father who’d tracked her down. She’d fallen in love with a man who protected those he loved fiercely – not someone who lied to get his way. And for a few brief moments Liya had lived a dream where Blake had wanted her to become a part of his life. Until he’d shattered that reality by revealing the truth unaware she was listening.

Liya blinked back her tears. She should have been more suspicious of his intentions when he’d proposed. She’d been so caught up in the romance and excitement of the moment she hadn’t suspected Blake, the kind doting father she come to know, could pull off something so devious. Perhaps she didn’t really know Blake at all.

Liya blinked back her tears. How would Blake react when he discovered the truth about her life? So far he only knew what she’d told him. What if he knew that she had lived through the reality he’d rescued Sophia from after her birth mom died? She hadn’t even told him she was an orphan. Imagine if he knew the entire truth. He’d have enough reason to call of their engagement because her past wouldn’t exactly do his image any good.

“Liya?”

“Yes?”

“I hope you won’t mind me leaving you two alone to do a little shopping on my own,” he said.

Secretly she was relieved. “Sophia and I will be fine on our own. You go ahead. Knock yourself out.”

“Hope you two ladies enjoy your shopping,” he said.

“Thanks,” she said.

She held Sophia’s hand aware of reporters sneaking pictures of them. Her chest tightened a little. She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.

“Let’s meet up for lunch. It’s on me.”

“Sure.”

“My father is up to something,” Sophia said.

Liya laughed. “Maybe he just wants to do a little shopping of his own.” What if he wanted to update his wardrobe for his upcoming court battle? Or buy Andrew a lavish gift for helping him pull off the fake engagement? She took Sophia to Little Lady, a popular children’s apparel store.

“Are you looking to buy a new summer wardrobe for your daughter, ma’am?”

Liya’s heart swelled with emotion. She didn’t correct the store assistant. Especially when the angelic smile on Sophia’s face urged her not to.

“Yes, I really need to add more color in Sophia’s wardrobe.” Liya replied. If one good thing came out of this farce, then she wanted it to be Sophia’s happiness.

The sales assistant nodded. “Any specific colors to exclude?”

“Black.” She wanted to Sophia to blind Blake with color long after she left their lives.

Shopping for Sophia took longer than she’d anticipated. They joined Blake for lunch at Spieros — a popular Italian restaurant in the mall. Liya studied Blake over the rim of her frosted glass. Acting like she knew nothing about her fake engagement became more difficult with each passing minute. What hurt even more was knowing this outing could possibly be little more than a publicity stunt on Blake’s part. It made sense to Liya though. Blake would want the press to snap as many photos of the family together to ensure he cast himself in a favorable light before any of Alicia’s futile attempts to claim Sophia back materialized. She knew photos of today’s outing would be splashed on the front page of every major publication tomorrow.

“How did the shopping go?”

“It was fabulous,” Sophia answered enthusiastically. “You should see the stuff Liya bought me. I got clothes in all the colors of the rainbow I even got a Princess dress. Dad, you should see it, it’s gorgeous.”

“I will, sweetheart. As soon as we get home. How about you, Liya?”

Liya swallowed a lump in her throat, determined not to let her true emotions show. How she wished she could tell him to quit acting because she knew the truth. Instead she forced herself to remain calm. “I got everything I needed.” “How about you?”

“I got the special ladies in my life something.” Blake rose and walked to Liya. Her deceitful heart went crazy forgetting all about his façade. Blake had bought her something? Whatever it was she’d treasure it as a reminder of their brief relationship. Blake opened his palms to reveal a glittering gold chain with a diamond pendant in the shape of a heart. Did he think she could be bought over with a diamond?

“Oh my God, Blake, you didn’t have to,” she said when she realized he was waiting for a response. If only this moment was truly as magically romantic as Blake made it out to be. “Thank you, Blake, it’s beautiful.”

Until now she hadn’t accepted how much Blake’s revelations earlier had bruised her heart. And her heartache was already taking its toll on her. She glanced at Sophia, stifling a sigh. She needed to do some research on how to help Sophia cope with the end of their engagement. She knew from experience children could be much stronger than anyone assumed they were. Perhaps in time Sophia would forge all about her. Blake would undoubtedly move on after the fake engagement. Sophia would eventually accept her father’s romantic choice or choices.

“Do you like it?” Blake’s voice cut into Liya’s thoughts.

“I love it.” She reached up instinctively and briefly hugged Blake. He pecked her lips in return. Liya shuddered at the emotion surging through her body despite her anger with his lies. Blake’s warm hands rested on her shoulder; his breath fanned her lips when he pulled away. Liya’s gaze met his. She was surprised when she didn’t find any hint of his deceit in them. She saw only love. Blake was a damn good actor, she had to give him credit for that. Had Blake taken time to really get to know her, he’d have figured material gifts meant little to her.

She valued emotional bonds she forged with people, and the time she spent with them. Blake on the other hand was probably too busy with his hectic, billionaire lifestyle to worry about maintaining friendships or any relationships, for that matter. Liya sighed. Regardless of how she felt, Blake was determined to make this relationship appear as real as possible to the outside world. And she had no choice but to play along.

“Liya?” Blake’s voice broke into her thoughts. She looked up and realized a waiter was patiently waiting to take her order.

“Sorry...” She smiled apologetically. “I’ll have a tortilla wrap with salad.”