A Fake Proposal, a Real Marriage

I'd always seen Livio more like a big brother since we were so close growing up. But as the years went by, his persistence started to win me over, and I developed real feelings for him.

Right when I was ready to say yes and be his girlfriend, he flipped everything around and rejected me, claiming I needed to focus on school.

Our roles reversed, and I ended up chasing him. But he was different now; the warmth in his eyes was gone, replaced by something cold.

I couldn't figure out what had changed him, but I told myself that if I was just a burden to him, I'd let go and move on. That was when his games started, dragging on for years with constant teasing and mockery.

I wanted to keep things civil, but he wouldn't stop toying with my feelings. I figured his obsession stemmed from resentment. After all, he had chased me for so many years, while I was ready to walk away so quickly. That bruised his ego.

He was desperate to prove I couldn't live without him, craving that rush of being put on a pedestal.

"How about you give us a little performance right here—break down crying like a baby?" Livio taunted. "If you do that, I'll act like I never heard a thing and let you off. Deal?"

His voice snapped me back as his cruelty ramped up. I stared him down, my voice ice-cold. "You're disgusting! Get out of my way!"

He hadn't expected me to curse him out, and his face darkened instantly. Without hesitation, I shoved him aside, took Jordan's hand, and headed straight out.

Livio froze, staring as we walked away. Then he exploded. "Diane Ward, this is pathetic! You really think faking a marriage will force my hand?"

"Fake marriage?" I snorted. "Whatever you say."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "This has gone far enough! It was just a dumb bet. Do you have to make a fool of yourself like this?"

He caught my frown and smirked, thinking he'd struck a nerve. "Face it, I don't love you. Once your game is over, you'll come running back. Don't expect me to be nice about it."

His arrogant attitude wiped out the last bit of feelings I had left for him.

"Fake or real, time will tell," I said, leading Jordan to leave.

Livio moved to stop us, but Maggie latched onto his arm. "Since Diane's got a fiancé now, I'll be your girlfriend."

She raised her voice on purpose, clearly trying to get under my skin.

Livio yelled after me, "If you step out that door today, don't ever show your face around me again!"

"Good riddance," I responded without breaking stride.

...

Outside the venue, I tried to pull my hand free, but Jordan tugged me into his chest.

"Using me and then dumping me just like that?" he muttered, gazing down at me with a mix of hurt and frustration.

I bit my lip and looped my arms around his neck. "I'm not dumping you."

He arched an eyebrow, not letting it go. "Then prove it. Move in with me tonight."

I didn't answer right away, and he pressed on. "Don't tell me you forgot what you promised me."

How could I forget? After finding out about Livio's bet, I'd caved and texted him a few times over the next few days. He had played it cool, like nothing was up, even mentioning the birthday party he was planning for me.

I knew it was all a setup to humiliate me, but I had still held out hope for one last chance to fix things.