Page 145 of Twisted Truth

“It’s also because he loves her more than anything, and no other woman compares in his eyes,” Sterling says, annoyed.

“Yes, yes. Your parents’ life has been like a fairytale. But those are rare, my dears.” She turns her eyes to Ella. “I just hope you understand that,” she says pointedly. “You can’t expect Asher to always be faithful. It’s best to accept that now, before things go any further.”

“I would absolutely expect that,” Ella says, her tone firm. “I would never agree to marry a man who had no intention of being faithful.”

“Then you are marrying into the wrong social sphere.”

“That’s enough, Aunt Bethany,” I say as calmly as I can. “I understand that is how things were back in your day, but that is no longer acceptable behavior. I do plan to be faithful when I marry, and I won’t marry until I’m ready to do so. I would not disrespect my wife like that. I will treat my wife with the same dignity and respect my father has always given my mother.”

Aunt Bethany holds up her wine with a smirk and a glint in her eye. “That’s good to hear, dear. It does make for a smoother life. I think you two will do just fine.” She winks at Ella.

Ella’s eyes are wide with shock, and I want to bang my head on the table. Of course Aunt Bethany was goading me to see what I would do and to see how Ella would react. Good lord, Aunt Bethany has always been a feisty one. She’s a strange amalgamation of rigid old school and out of touch, while also being a fiery, independent woman who advocates for other women.

It’s a mind fuck at the best of times.

The rest of the meal is fairly quiet, and the conversation doesn’t go much deeper than the weather and what brought Ella and me into town. It’s somewhat awkward, but also a relief. I brush my fingers along Ella’s knee several times, hoping she’s not too upset by Aunt Bethany.

Unfortunately, Aunt Bethany’s views are not uncommon in my world, and Ella is only getting a taste of things to come. I need to talk to her about it later. Conversations with old, backward views on people and classes and men are still very much the norm in many cases, and it’s not something I’m going to be able to do much about. I tolerate the people however I can, and call them out for their shit when I can, but it’s still a delicate slope to navigate. At least Aunt Bethany is only half serious. Most of my extended family still very much believes in those views.

When the meal is finally over, Sterling and I escort Aunt Bethany to her waiting car.

“Ella is a fine girl,” she says, patting my arm. “But you need to prepare her more. The press is ruthless. You don’t want her to drown.”

“I will. Thank you, Aunt Bethany.”

“And you,” she turns to Sterling. “You need to find yourself a girl. You’re not getting any younger. Your parents had two children and a third on the way when they were your age. Don’t waste your youth on floozies. Find a great love like Asher has, and fight for it.”

I can tell it’s taking Sterling everything he has not to tell Aunt Bethany that Ella is being paid to pose as my girlfriend, which pisses me off. But he keeps his mouth shut, and we bid her a final goodbye.

“A great love, huh?” he says, elbowing me, whispering low so that only I can hear. “I just need to find a girl and pay her five million to pretend, and then I’m all set like my big brother.”

“Fuck you.” I roll my eyes.

“Aunt Bethany is going to have many words for you when things end between you and Ella. I can’t believe she approves of her since she isn’t some sort of heiress. Who would have thought?”

I let out a derisive laugh. “It’s because she’s seen the press Ella garners, even over here in the UK. Aunt Bethany may be stuck far into the last century, but there’s one thing she understands in this new age, and that’s the power of attention. Even she can’t deny that Ella’s appeal is its own currency. Ella doesn’t need the ties to an old family with money, and in some ways that probably makes her more likable. The people are equal parts enamored and annoyed with our wealth and history. I honestly think an heiress would have tipped the scales further to annoyed. And I think Aunt Bethany knows that.”

“The question is, brother, what do you do with all this? This is bigger than any of us expected, and it’s only going to get bigger. How do you see this all ending?”

“I don’t fucking know anymore. It’s getting more complicated by the day.”

Sterling opens his mouth to say something else, but closes it when Ella and Maya exit the restaurant and head our way.

“I’m not ready to go back to the hotel,” Ella says, sidling up to me. It’s a chilly night, even though it’s almost May. London weather. “I want to spend some time with Maya, and I need another drink after that delightful inquisition. Would you guys be up to going to a club or a bar?”

I look at Sterling, and he shrugs. “Sure.”

“Let’s do it.”

39

ELLA

We pull up to one of the hottest, most exclusive clubs in London. Sterling called ahead, and so of course we’re met with bouncers and the club owner as soon as the car pulls to the curb.

“Welcome, Mr. Langford and Mr. Langford.” The club owner turns to me. “And you must be Ms. Hale.” I nod and shake his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’m Edmund Taylor. We have a VIP lounge waiting for your party. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do for you.”

The bouncers escort us through the pulsing club to a raised platformed floor with luxury booths roped off with red velvet ropes and thick curtains on either side. It reminds me of the last time I went clubbing with Asher, which makes me smile. How things have changed since that night. Like last time, I’m holding Asher’s hand as we make our way through the club, but this time it feels natural, easy, and there’s no worry or stress over my coworkers seeing us and wondering what’s going on. I love that I can hold his hand out in the open and it’s not weird. I now recognize that protective, possessive edge that he showed toward me that night, even though he hardly knew me. And Irevel in it.What is it about him?What is it about us that drew us together and made him fuss over me, even when I was merely his employee?