Behind the Fake Smile

Prologue

John never thought love could feel like a crime.

But in the restaurant where he worked, it was just that-a forbidden act, a rule written in ink that left no room for exceptions. Relationships among employees were strictly banned, and those who dared break the rule faced only one outcome: termination.

So John did the only thing he could. He lied.

He let the rumors spread, let his coworkers believe what they wanted. If they thought he was into men, if they whispered about his lack of interest in women, then that was fine. It was better than the truth. Better than them finding out about Ann.

Because if they did, everything would fall apart.

And so, every day, he smiled. A bright, convincing smile that fooled even himself at times. He played his part well, laughing along when his coworkers teased him, pretending not to hear the crude jokes or feel the hands that lingered too long on his shoulder. It was suffocating, but it was the price he had to pay to keep Ann safe.

Still, every now and then, in the quiet moments when the world wasn't watching, John allowed himself to feel. To look into Ann's eyes and see the love reflected there, to hold her hand just a little longer than he should. In those fleeting moments, he felt alive.

But the fear never left him.

One wrong move, one slip, and everything would come crashing down. The walls were closing in, the pressure mounting. And John knew-deep down-that he couldn't keep this up forever.