I Agreed to Be Her Fake Fiancé at a High School Reunion — Then I Uncovered the Dark Secret She Was Running From
Chapter 3
Daniel wanted answers immediately.
He didn’t get them.
The reunion continued.
Emma smiled.
Laughed.
Introduced Daniel to people.
But now he noticed every time Brad came near.
It happened often.
Too often.
Brad spoke to old classmates.
Moved around the room.
Drank.
Smiled.
And every few minutes, his eyes returned to Emma.
Daniel stayed close.
Emma stayed beside him.
At one point, a former classmate named Lauren approached.
“Emma, can I talk to you?”
Emma looked uncomfortable.
“About what?”
Lauren glanced at Daniel.
“Privately.”
Daniel stepped away.
“I’ll get drinks.”
Emma nodded.
He walked toward the bar.
But he watched.
Lauren whispered something.
Emma’s expression changed.
Then she looked around.
She spotted Daniel.
She excused herself.
He returned.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s not true.”
She looked at him.
“Later.”
He nodded.
The night moved on.
During dinner, Brad sat across the room.
He raised a glass.
“To old friends.”
Everyone cheered.
Emma barely touched her wine.
Daniel noticed.
After dessert, the music started.
People danced.
Brad walked toward Emma.
Daniel stepped between them.
“Can I help you?”
Brad smiled.
“I was asking Emma.”
“She heard you.”
Brad’s smile disappeared.
“You seem protective.”
“I am.”
“She’s capable of speaking for herself.”
Daniel looked at Emma.
She didn’t move.
Then said:
“He’s right.”
Brad stared.
“You’re really doing this?”
Emma’s voice was calm.
“Yes.”
Brad nodded.
“Fine.”
He walked away.
Daniel looked at Emma.
“Do you want to leave?”
“Not yet.”
“You don’t have to prove anything.”
“I know.”
She looked around.
“I just need ten more minutes.”
They stood together.
Then Emma whispered:
“I was pregnant.”
Daniel froze.
“What?”
“Senior year.”
He stared at her.
“With Brad?”
She nodded.
“Nobody knew.”
“What happened?”
Emma looked toward the dance floor.
“I was sixteen weeks pregnant when he got angry.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
“Why?”
“Because he wanted to play college football.”
She looked down.
“He told me I was going to ruin everything.”
Daniel felt sick.
“What did he do?”
“He didn’t hit me.”
She paused.
“But he drove too fast.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“Emma.”
“We crashed.”
She closed her eyes.
“I lost the baby.”
Daniel said nothing.
“I’m sorry.”
She smiled sadly.
“That’s why I left.”
“Why did you never tell anyone?”
“Because Brad told everyone it was my fault.”
Daniel stared.
“He said I distracted him.”
“He blamed you?”
“Yes.”
Daniel looked across the room.
Brad was laughing with friends.
The anger inside him was immediate.
But Emma grabbed his hand.
“Don’t.”
“Emma.”
“Please.”
“Why are you still afraid of him?”
She looked at him.
“Because he knows things about me.”
“What things?”
“Things I don’t want public.”
Daniel stared.
She continued:
“Pictures.”
“Of what?”
“That night.”
The room suddenly felt colder.
Brad wasn’t just an old boyfriend.
He was someone who had spent years holding a secret over her.
And now Daniel understood why she had needed a fake fiancé.
She wasn’t trying to make herself look successful.
She was trying to prove she was no longer vulnerable.
