Chapter 4

TWISTED HEART

SVL18

HOPE JONES

.

The Rasta man had just left, but his words still echoed in my mind. He wanted me to pretend to be his boss’s fiancée. A fake fiancée? Me? The thought was absurd. I was still nursing a heartbreak, and besides—I wasn’t an actress. I could never pull something like that off.

Anyway, it was time to go home. I gathered my things, remembering the card Rasta had left behind. Evelyn was still busy and would probably be home late. I decided to head straight home to collect my belongings so I could return to my own place.

When I arrived, I found my mother cooking in the kitchen.

“You’re back,” she said, glancing over her shoulder.

“Hi, Mama. I’m just here to collect my things.”

“Are you ready to live alone again?” she asked.

“Yes, Mama.”

My aunt, Doli, frowned. “And what if something happens to you there? What if you… hurt yourself?”

I shook my head. “That’s not going to happen, Auntie.”

“Leave her, Doli,” my mother said, though her tone was reluctant. “You won’t be coming here for dinner anymore?”

“There’s a lot I need to fix in my place, and I want to start now.”

“Alright, my child. Call me when you arrive.”

I packed my clothes into the car.

Amanda caught me at the door. “You’re leaving without saying goodbye?”

“Sorry, I thought you were still at school.”

I handed her R200, and her face lit up.

“Thank you, Sisi.”

“Take care of yourself.”

I waved, got into my car, and drove away.

An hour later, I was home. I showered, pulled on an oversized T-shirt and socks, and began cleaning. Samantha walked in.

“Hi,” she greeted.

“Hey.”

“Amanda said you were back.”

“Yeah, it’s about time.”

She grabbed a broom and helped me clean. When I entered my bedroom, I noticed a photo of me and Luke on the nightstand. Without hesitation, I tossed it into the trash. I didn’t want anything that would remind me of him.

“Gosh, I’m exhausted!” Samantha flopped onto the sofa, poured champagne, and prepared something to eat.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing better,” she said. “I was worried about you.”

“There’s no point in hiding anymore,” I replied. “I have to accept it eventually.”

Evelyn entered the room dramatically. “Hoes, you’re eating without me? I’m starving!”

“You’re always working,” Samantha teased.

Evelyn grabbed a glass and sat down. “Guess who just called me?”

“Your boyfriends?” Samantha guessed.

“No… Olivia.”

Samantha frowned. “What does she want?”

“She was crying, saying Luke dumped her.”

Samantha scoffed. “She’s crazy! And why would she call you?”

“I told her to go cry somewhere else.”

I sighed. I still couldn’t believe Olivia had done what she did to me. We’d known each other since childhood.

“Can we not talk about her?” I said quietly.

Evelyn’s eyes lit with mischief. “Anyway… I saw you talking to that dreadlocked guy this morning.”

Samantha smirked. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not lying! The one with the dreads looked like he could sweep you off your feet.”

We all laughed.

“His name’s Rasta,” I said. “And you won’t believe this—he wanted me to be the fake fiancée of his boss.”

“What?!” Samantha almost dropped her drink.

“He even offered me a million.”

Their jaws dropped.

“You turned that down?!” Samantha cried.

“Of course I did. I don’t know them. What if they kidnapped me?”

“Oh, I’d have said yes immediately,” Evelyn said. “a million just to pretend?”

“Who is this man?” Samantha asked.

“Sean Parker,” I replied.

Her glass stopped halfway to her mouth. “Wait—Sean Parker?!”

She grabbed her phone, searched his name, and showed me his photos.

And wow. Wow.

Dark skin with a smooth undertone, lips tinted naturally pink, sharp jawline, deep eyes framed by thick lashes… Every feature looked like it had been sculpted by the gods.

“Damn,” Evelyn whispered. “It’s like he bathes in milk.”

“He comes to the club where I work,” Samantha said. “Women throw themselves at him.”

“I can see why,” Evelyn admitted. “Jesus, he’s gorgeous.”

“He’s a womanizer,” I said, tearing my gaze from the screen.

“Womanizer or not, he’s tall and perfect,” Samantha replied.

“But a man like that could have anyone. I don’t understand why he’d want a stranger.”

“Maybe Rasta saw that you two would match,” Evelyn suggested.

“Evelyn, stop it,” I laughed.

“Seriously, Hope—you’re gorgeous. I don’t know what you saw in Luke.”

I sighed, letting the thought go. “Whatever his reasons, I’m not getting involved in that mess.”

SEAN PARKER

.

The guns lay neatly across the table, all of them brand new. I picked one up, slid in the bullets, cocked it, and aimed at the spot I wanted before firing a clean shot.

“This one feels good,” I said.

Oscar grinned. “You see? But they need to burn through a lot of cash here.”

“When are the guys leaving?” I asked.

“Tonight. They need to get that job done.”

Rasta leaned forward with a knowing smile. “Boss, you’re going to like what you going see.”

I gave him a brief nod before he left, and a moment later, Casette walked in.

She was wearing a tiny dress that revealed far more than necessary.

“Hi, baby,” she purred, swaying her hips. “Did you miss me?”

Oscar smirked, but I shot him a cold look, sending him out of the room.

“What are you doing here?” I asked flatly.

“I came for you,” she said, stepping closer.

I didn’t answer. Her hands slid up my chest.

“I heard you’re looking for a wife,” she whispered.

“Where did you hear that?”

“Doesn’t matter. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t see the need.”

“Ouch. You know, you and I could make a perfect couple if you’d stop being so stubborn.”

“Casette, you and I are only about one thing. I’ve told you before—there’s nothing more. And if I’m busy, I expect you to have a damn good reason to show up here.”

She tilted her head, eyes sparkling with mischief. “I want to help you, Sean. I could be your fiancée.”

“And why would you do that?”

“Because you’ve done so much for me. Let me return the favor. You know I’m a great actress.”

“I’ll think about it,” I said, though my voice was noncommittal.

“And if you ever need…” she trailed off, lowering her gaze suggestively. “…a good time—”

Her hand slid down my chest, fingers brushing over my belt before she unzipped it.

“I’m here,” she whispered.

Then she knelt, her lips wrapping around me without warning.

“F**k…” I breathed, leaning back in my chair.

LUKE MARLEY

.

The sound of pounding on my door yanked me from sleep. I opened my eyes to find Jack standing there, shaking his head in disapproval.

“Man, this is getting out of hand,” he said. “Have you turned into a full-on drunk now?”

“What do you want?” I muttered.

“I’ve been trying to call you all day, Luke. You’re not answering your phone.”

“I was busy.”

“Busy drinking? Your parents are worried sick. This place reeks of alcohol.”

I got up and started gathering empty bottles. “I need space, Jack. What happened to me wasn’t easy.”

“You’re needed at work,” he snapped. “I don’t know what ‘space’ you’re talking about, but this is your mess. You caused it. Stop hiding behind excuses.”

“Are you here to lecture me? You think I don’t know all that already?” My voice cracked with frustration. “Yes, it’s my fault. Yes, I regret it. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“I don’t care about apologies. Clean yourself up and get back to work.”

He left without another word.

I reached for my phone, inserted a new SIM card, and dialed a number I knew by heart.

“Hello?”

“Hope.”

A pause. “Luke.”

She hung up.

I called again, but this time she didn’t answer. A knock came at my door, and I went to open it.

“What do you want now?” I said, already irritated.

Olivia stood there, her expression stormy. “Listen, Luke—blocking me won’t make this go away. If you thought cutting me off would fix everything, you’re dead wrong. You should’ve blocked me a long time ago.”

“I don’t have time for this.”

“Oh, you’ll make time.”

She pulled something from her bag and handed it to me.

“What’s this?”

“Two lines,” she said coldly. “I’m pregnant, Luke. And it’s yours.”

I stared at her, shock tightening in my chest.

No. No… this can’t be happening.

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