Feigned Marriage

chapter 14

Sky's POV

"You haven't been yourself today," John says. "Your facial expressions were off during your shoot this morning. Are you sure you're fine to walk this show?"

I nod as I play with the hem of my robe. All day, my thoughts have been on P'pai's words. Hearing him say that he felt trapped broke my heart. This situation isn't ideal for either of us, but I thought that... I thought he started to have feelings for me, but now I'm not so sure.
When he took me to Castello Designs and then to Lauren, I thought that was progress for us. Now I'm wondering if James was right, and he was only trying to do right by me. What P'pai considers the right thing to do isn't the same as what his heart desires.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say, trying my best to clear my mind and knowing I won't be able to. I'm filled with heartache, shame and regret. Each time I think of the way I measured his body, the outfits I've been wearing around the house... damn it.

Maybe I should've believed him that day I sat in his lap, when he told me that he'd never truly want me. I can get his body to react to me, but he'll never want me the way he wants james. The memories of everything I've done and tried disgust me. I've never been this person. I've never forced my affection on anyone else, yet that's exactly what I've been doing to P'pai. Hope made me courageous to the point that I sacrificed my dignity, and what for?

"You're not fine, sky." John places a hand on my shoulder and looks at me with genuine concern in his eyes.

"Are you overwhelmed with work? Have I been scheduling too much in for you?
Or is it something else... is it Patheera's? He's given us complete control over your schedule with just a few caveats, but you need to tell me if he's pressuring you in private."

I look into his eyes, unsure what to even say. It's been a really long time since I wanted to rely on someone. The urge to ask him for a hug and cry until my heart stops aching nearly overwhelms me.

"I just didn't sleep well," I say eventually, dragging my gaze down as I undo the knot on my robe, letting it fall open. The designer should be in any minute now to dress me.

"Are you okay, sky? I'm worried about you. Did prapai patheera do something to you?" I force a smile for him and shake my head.

"We had an argument, but that's all it was. I suppose that's just what marriage is like, right? It can't always be perfect." John starts to speak but is interrupted when the door opens. We both turn around, expecting the designer to walk in with the gown I'm supposed to wear, but instead, it's P'pai . He pauses when his eyes land on me, the bags underneath his eyes identical to mine.

P'pai's eyes trail down to my exposed chest, and pure rage settles in his eyes. He walks toward me and slips out of his jacket, his stride confident yet rushed. "Sky," he says, my name sounding like a warning as he wraps his jacket around my shoulders and pulls me toward him.
He glances at John and grits his teeth.

"Excuse us, please. I need a moment with my husband." John looks at me, and I nod. He hesitates for a moment, but then he walks away, the door falling closed behind him.

"Sky," he repeats, his tone softer now. "What was that? Why are you... you're half-naked in front of him. Is there something going on between you two?"
I look into his eyes, my heart heavy. I've loved him for as long as I can remember, yet even though I'm married to him, my brother is still standing between us.

"Does it matter?" His gaze hardens, and he pulls me closer.

"Of course it does. We promised each other fidelity when we got married, sky." I put my arms around his shoulder, his jacket falling to the floor in the process, leaving me standing in front of him in nothing but an open robe.