It was exactly the thing I'd been dreading.
The next day, Dad called.
"Ivy, my birthday is the day after tomorrow. Bring your boyfriend to the party."
My heart sank.
"Dad, you know I told him I was just a regular office worker making thirty grand a year. If I bring him to your party, he'll figure everything out."
Dad laughed.
"I'm not going to blow your cover. Just tell him you're bringing him to a business event. It's been almost a year now. I want to see for myself how things are between you two. If you've really found the one, I'll be happy for you."
I went quiet.
There was no way to refuse.
For as long as I could remember, Dad had rarely asked anything of me. He'd built his company into an empire, yet he'd never once pressured me into anything. The only condition he'd ever set was the one-year pact.
"Fine. I'll bring him."
That evening, Giles and Lissa came home.
When they pushed open the door, they both froze.
The dining table was covered with dishes I'd made, all of Giles's old favorites.
"What's this supposed to mean?" Giles frowned at me. "Playing the dutiful little wife now? Trying to win me over?"
I ignored the jab.
"I have something I want to discuss with both of you."
"There's a client hosting a birthday party the day after tomorrow. Everyone's expected to bring a plus-one."
"Giles, I need you to play the part of my boyfriend for one day. After that, I'll move out by the end of the month, just like I promised. Clean break."
Giles shook his head reflexively.
"No. I can't do that. I won't do that to Lissa."
I pulled a bank card from my bag and set it on the coffee table.
"A hundred thousand dollars. For one day."
The living room went silent.
Giles stared at the card. His Adam's apple bobbed.
I knew he needed the money. After signing with Gilbert Media, the company had enrolled him in a training program that came with a hefty fee. He needed this.
"But..."
He looked at Lissa, hesitant.
"It's fine." Lissa spoke up, wearing a magnanimous smile. "Giles, just think of it as doing her a favor. A clean break is the right thing."
Behind that smile, her eyes glinted with calculation.
"But a hundred thousand isn't enough. Add another fifty."
I nearly laughed out loud.
This woman drove a harder bargain than I did.
"Done."
I agreed without blinking.
Giles looked at her, then at me, and finally nodded. The expression on his face suggested he was making some tremendous sacrifice.
I rolled my eyes internally.
A hundred and fifty thousand for one day of your time, and you're acting like the victim?
Dad's birthday gala was held at the Gilbert Grand Hotel, as always.
The room was full of industry insiders, suppliers, and business partners. Giles and I blended into the crowd without drawing attention.
After making the rounds with the other guests, Dad came over to find me.
I made the introductions, keeping my tone professional.
"Mr. Gilbert, this is my boyfriend, Giles Weiss."
Dad clasped Giles's hand and looked him over.
"Sharp-looking young man. I hear you're in the music business?"
"Yes, I signed with Gilbert Media." Giles's voice carried a hint of deference. "One of your subsidiaries, actually."
Dad shot me a meaningful look.
The message was clear: You pulled strings for him?
I pretended not to notice.
Dad patted Giles on the shoulder. "It's good for a young man to have ambition."
Throughout the gala, Giles played his part well enough.
Near the end of the evening, I excused myself to the restroom.
