To have and to loathe

• 𝐂hapter 19

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."