Minnie POV
The moment I heard what Will said, my eyes widened and my heart began to race. Part of me felt relieved knowing he didn't like Tara-but another part ached, because he wanted me to be only a fake girlfriend. I didn't want to pretend. I didn't want to be temporary. If I stood beside him, I wanted it to be real.
I was still lost in my thoughts when he spoke again, his hand still holding mine. That simple touch made my breath hitch.
"It's just for a short time, Minnie," Will said quietly. "I won't interfere in your life, and I won't disturb you. I just need my parents to stop worrying about me. Please... say yes."
I shook my head slowly. "It's not right," I said. "You can't lie to your parents."
He sighed, his voice tired but honest. "I know. I just need time-that's all I'm asking for. Before we return to Paris, I'll tell them the truth."
I looked at him. At the guarded expression, the walls he had built around himself, and the loneliness he tried so hard to hide. Somewhere deep inside, a dangerous thought crossed my mind.
Maybe I can change him. Maybe I can make him feel again. Maybe... he could fall for me.
That hope, fragile and foolish, was the reason my resistance faded.
After a long pause, I nodded.
"Okay," I whispered.
A small breath escaped him, as if he had been holding it all along, and his fingers tightened around mine. Standing there beneath the quiet moonlight, I understood the truth this was supposed to be fake But my feelings were already real.
Will POV
I didn't think.
I just pulled Minnie into my arms.
She stiffened at first, clearly shocked, her breath catching as my hand rested at her back. I could feel how fast her heart was beating, how unsure she was, yet she didn't push me away. That alone made something tighten in my chest.
Then I saw Tara.
She was walking toward us, her gaze fixed on us, sharp and questioning. The same moment I realized she was watching, my jaw tightened. I couldn't let her misunderstand-no, I needed her to misunderstand.
I lifted my hand and cupped Minnie's cheek gently, turning her face toward mine. Her eyes widened, confusion and nervousness swirling in them. My thumb brushed softly over her lips, slow and deliberate.
I leaned in, close enough our breaths mixed.
Instead of kissing her, I pressed my lips against my thumb resting on her lips-but from the outside, it looked exactly like a kiss.
Minnie froze in my arms, for a second, pretending I didn't feel like pretending anymore.
Tara POV
I stopped in my tracks.
Will had his arms around Minnie, holding her like she belonged there. His hand was on her face, his thumb on her lips-too intimate, too personal. And then he leaned down.
My heart sank.
I couldn't see everything clearly, but I saw enough. The closeness. The way Minnie didn't pull away. The way Will stood protectively in front of her.
They were kissing.
A sharp wave of jealousy rushed through me, burning and unbearable. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Everyone talked about us-about Will and me-yet here he was, choosing her without hesitation.
forced my expression to stay calm, but inside, something cracked So this girl wasn't just a guest.
Will POV
After Tara walked away, I slowly stepped back from Minnie.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly.
She didn't respond. She looked frozen, her eyes unfocused. I gently shook her shoulder until she came back to herself.
"W-what did you just... do?" she whispered, the words barely leaving her throat.
"I'm really sorry," I said again. "Tara saw us. I needed to end it. That's why I did that."
She took a slow breath, trying to steady herself. Then she wrapped her arms around herself and said softly, "It's cold out here. Let's go inside."
She took a step, then stopped and looked at me. "When are you going to tell your parents about us?"
I didn't answer immediately. I walked beside her, close enough that our shoulders almost touched.
"Soon," I said at last. "I don't like lies either. But i don't have any way.
The moment we stepped into the hall, my mom's eyes found us.
"Why were you both outside?" she asked, concern in her voice. "It's cold."
"She needed some air," I answered. "So I took her to the garden."
My mom nodded, but before she could say more-
"Aunty."
Tara's voice cut through the room.
We turned.
She stood there with a soft smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I want to tell you something."
Mom looked surprised. "What is it, Tara?"
Tara took a deep breath. "I like Will. I want to spend my life with him. And I believe... he likes me too."
The air drained from the room.
My heart skipped-not from fear, but from frustration.
"No, Mom," I said firmly. "That's not true. I don't like her."
Gasps echoed around us. My dad stepped closer.
"What's happening here, Mia?" he asked.
"Tara says she wants to marry our son," Mom replied slowly, "but Will says he already has someone he likes."
Every eye turned to me.
"Who is that girl, Will?" Dad asked.
For a split second, my mind went quiet.
Then I felt Minnie beside me-small, tense, breathing shallow.
I reached out and held her hand.
Her fingers trembled in mine, but she didn't let go.
"This is her," I said.
The silence was heavy. Almost painful.
My mom's face froze in shock. My dad stared at us, unreadable. Whispers filled the room like a storm.
Minnie swallowed hard, still standing beside me.
And in that moment, I realized- even if this started as a lie, I had just changed everything.
Tara POV
let out a soft chuckle, letting my eyes travel over her from head to toe.
"This is... unexpected," I said lightly. "You're very confident, Minnie. Walking into a family gathering like this."
I tilted my head. "Or maybe confidence isn't the right word. Opportunity, maybe?"
A few relatives exchanged looks.
"I mean," I continued, pretending innocence, "Will has everything. Money, position, future. Anyone would want that."
My gaze slid back to Will. "You always had high standards. I didn't know they changed."
I stepped closer to Minnie, close enough to make her uncomfortable.
"You must be very good at acting," I added quietly. "Smiling, behaving sweet... people fall for that."
I straightened and smiled again, sweet and sharp. "But be careful. This family isn't as easy to impress as you think."
Will POV
I felt Minnie flinch beside me, and that was enough.
"Tara, stop," I said sharply.
The room went quiet.
"You don't get to insult her just because you're uncomfortable," I continued, my voice controlled but unmistakably firm. "Whatever issues you have, keep them to yourself."
I turned to her and said firmly, "She didn't come here for money. She didn't ask for attention. She did nothing wrong."
I tightened my jaw and continued, "But you still insulted her in front of everyone."
looked at Minnie, then back at Tara.
"That is not right.'
The room became silent.
I added calmly, "If you can't respect her, then don't talk about her."
Mom stepped forward and said, "Will is right, Tara. I invited Minnie. You must apologize to her."
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Author Note
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