Undeniable (Cloverleigh Farms #2)(132)

Oliver winced. “Well, they sort of think we’ve been seeing each other on the sly for a while.”

“What?” I threw both hands in the air. “How are we going to get my parents to believe that? They saw us together the other night. I could hardly stand to sit next to you.”

“I know. We are the very definition of a love/hate relationship. And we didn’t want anyone to know until we were sure it was really love.”

“Right now, I am feeling no love, Oliver. You lied. No matter how you try to dress it up, the naked truth is right there in front of me.” My throat got tight. “You promised me you were going to be open and honest going forward, and you had a million chances to come clean. You had days.” As I realized the extent of his deception, my heart began to break. Tears welled in my eyes and spilled over.

Oliver groaned and took me by the shoulders. “Chloe, listen to me. I didn’t know what was going to happen between us, and it threw me off. All I wanted was to convince you to see what an amazing opportunity that farm would be. And this was the only way to get it in time.”

“Why couldn’t you just ask your parents for a loan?”

His face reddened. “Because. I don’t want them to know I don’t have the money on my own. I never told them about blowing all that money in Europe. I don’t want anyone to know that.”

“So it’s about appearances? That’s ridiculous, Oliver!”

He stood taller. “I have my pride, okay?”

“No. It’s not okay. We could have gone to the bank.”

“If we had to wait for the bank to approve a loan, we’d have lost the land. We need the money in a hurry. All I wanted was to get that farm.”

I shook my head. “Bullshit. All you wanted was to trick me. Make me fall for you so I’d say yes to your stupid plan and then you’d leave me, just like before.”

“You’re wrong,” he said forcefully.

I couldn’t even talk for a moment. Little pieces of the puzzle were snapping into place, and the big picture wasn’t pretty. Had I been a fool for him again? Was I just a pawn in his game? Did he care about me at all, or was I simply the shortest route from him to his big fat inheritance?

“Christ,” I said, fighting back sobs. “I’m such an easy mark. You knew the whole time. You knew when you approached my father last month. You knew driving up here. You knew I’d fall for you again and you used it against me. You said it once before—I’m so fucking predictable.”

“That’s not true! I had no idea you and I would pick up where we left off.”

I swiped at my eyes. “You wouldn’t know the truth if it came up and bit you. And we didn’t leave off, Oliver, you left me. You tricked me into believing you were someone else in Chicago, someone who actually cared about me, and then you disappeared. You did it then, and you’re doing it now.”

“I’m not! Chloe, please. Think of all the plans we’ve made over the last few days. We’ve had this dream for a long time, and it’s within our reach. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Aren’t you?”

We heard noise in the hallway as the family made their way into the dining room. I knew we’d have to make an appearance shortly, but I felt like I might have to vomit first.

“I feel sick, Oliver. What are we supposed to do? Go out there and pretend to be in love?”

“Well … yes.” He let his arms fall.

I shook my head. “I don’t know if I can do it.”

“Can you try? Please?”

“And then what? I’m not going through with this ridiculous charade engagement, Oliver. You don’t love me. You don’t want to marry me. You just wanted your money.”

“It isn’t like that, Chloe, I promise. I do love you.” He went to take me in his arms but I put my hands out to stop him.

“Your promises mean nothing to me now. And you don’t love anyone but yourself. You never have.” Taking a step back, I gave myself a few deep breaths, refusing to acknowledge the devastated look on his face. It was probably fake, anyway.

“I’ll go out there and get through dinner, but that’s it. Tomorrow, I’m leaving with my parents and you’re going to come clean to your family.”

“But what about the money? What about the land and the rye? What about our dream?”

Sobs threatened again, but I swallowed them back and stood taller. “My self-respect is more important. You’ll have to find another way to get your money. I’m out.”

I spun around and pushed the swinging door open, praying for the strength to get through the next hour and a half.

Before going to the dinner table, I darted up the stairs to my room to fix my face a little. There was no way to hide the fact that I’d been crying, but I figured a few tears were normal after getting engaged. I did what I could and headed down to the dining room.

“There she is,” Gran crooned when I walked in.

Oliver was already seated at the table, which was set for thirteen but could easily have seated twenty. The only empty place was between Oliver and Charlotte, and I did my best to put a smile on my face as I moved toward it. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“That’s okay.” Oliver jumped up and pulled out my chair.