Mia Bennett had spent most of her life running from one question.

Who was her father?

She had asked her mother once.

Only once.

She had been eleven years old.

Her mother had been standing in the kitchen, washing dishes, when Mia had asked:

“Mom, where is my dad?”

The plate in her mother’s hand had slipped.

It had shattered on the floor.

Mia had never forgotten the expression on her mother’s face.

Fear.

Not sadness.

Not anger.

Fear.

Her mother had knelt down and collected the broken pieces.

“Your father wasn’t a good man,” she had said.

“Is he dead?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did he leave us?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Her mother had looked at her.

“Because some people are better at leaving than loving.”

Mia had never asked again.

Until now.

She stood outside her apartment, staring at Ethan.

“Why are you asking me about my father?”

Ethan didn’t answer immediately.

He looked different.

The playful man who had teased her at the restaurant was gone.

Now there was something serious in his eyes.

“Someone called me.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“What did they say?”

“They told me to ask you about your father.”

Mia’s heart tightened.

“That’s all?”

Ethan nodded.

“That’s all.”

She looked away.

“Then there’s nothing to tell.”

“Mia.”

“He’s not part of my life.”

“Was he ever?”

She looked at him.

The question hurt.

“No.”

Ethan’s expression softened.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“I know.”

Silence passed between them.

Then Mia grabbed her suitcase.

“Let’s go.”

Ethan looked surprised.

“You’re coming?”

“You said we’re going to the lake house.”

“I thought you were angry.”

“I am.”

“Then why are you coming?”

Mia placed her suitcase in the car.

“Because I need this job.”

Ethan frowned.

“This has nothing to do with your job.”

“Everything has something to do with my job.”

“Mia.”

She closed the car door.

“And because if your grandmother is watching us, we need to make this believable.”

Ethan stared at her.

Then a small smile appeared.

“There she is.”

“Who?”

“My fake girlfriend.”

Mia rolled her eyes.

“Drive.”

Ethan laughed.

The journey to the lake house took nearly four hours.

For the first hour, they barely spoke.

Mia looked out the window.

Ethan drove.

The city slowly disappeared.

Tall buildings became quiet roads.

Quiet roads became forests.

And finally, the lake appeared.

It was beautiful.

Blue water stretched beneath a clear summer sky.

Green hills surrounded the shore.

The family house stood on a small hill overlooking the lake.

Mia stared.

“Wow.”

Ethan smiled.

“Impressive?”

“Very.”

“Wait until you see the inside.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“Every summer when I was a child.”

“With your family?”

“Yes.”

Mia looked at him.

“Did you like it?”

Ethan was silent.

“Sometimes.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It was complicated.”

Mia understood.

His family was always complicated.

They drove through the gates.

A woman was waiting outside.

Mia recognized her immediately.

Margaret Cole.

She stood beside the front door.

Mia stared.

“Your grandmother came here?”

“Apparently.”

Margaret smiled.

“Welcome.”

Mia stepped out of the car.

“Mrs. Cole.”

Margaret walked toward her.

“Call me Margaret.”

Mia smiled.

“Okay.”

Margaret looked at Ethan.

“You were supposed to arrive yesterday.”

“We had work.”

“You have no excuse.”

Ethan sighed.

“Nice to see you too.”

Margaret ignored him.

She looked at Mia.

“I hope you’re comfortable here.”

“I’m sure I will be.”

“Good.”

Mia noticed something strange.

Margaret wasn’t looking at her like a future granddaughter-in-law.

She was studying her.

As if she knew something.

Then Margaret turned toward Ethan.

“Your rooms are ready.”

Mia froze.

“Rooms?”

Margaret smiled.

“Separate rooms, of course.”

Ethan looked relieved.

Mia didn’t know why.

“Of course,” she said.

Margaret turned.

“Come inside.”

The house was enormous.

Wooden floors.

Large windows.

Old paintings.

A grand staircase.

Mia felt like she had entered another world.

She followed Ethan upstairs.

His room was at the end of the hallway.

Hers was directly opposite.

Mia opened the door.

The room was beautiful.

A large bed.

A balcony.

A view of the lake.

She stepped outside.

The breeze touched her face.

For a moment, she forgot everything.

The fake relationship.

The strange phone call.

Her father.

Ethan.

Then Ethan appeared behind her.

“Nice?”

She turned.

“Very.”

“Your first time here?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll like it.”

Mia looked at him.

“Why do you keep saying that?”

“What?”

“That I’ll like things here.”

“Because I want you to.”

The words were simple.

But something about them made her heart beat faster.

Mia quickly looked away.

“We should go downstairs.”

Ethan smiled.

“Sure.”

That evening, they had dinner together.

Margaret sat at the head of the table.

Ethan sat beside Mia.

The silence was uncomfortable.

Finally, Margaret spoke.

“So.”

Mia looked at her.

“Yes?”

“How did you two meet?”

Mia nearly choked.

Ethan looked at her.

“Work.”

Margaret raised an eyebrow.

“That’s boring.”

Mia smiled.

“It was.”

Ethan laughed.

Margaret looked at him.

“You don’t usually laugh.”

Ethan stopped.

Mia tried not to smile.

Margaret noticed.

“You find that funny?”

“Not at all.”

“You’re smiling.”

“I’m sorry.”

Margaret leaned back.

“Tell me the truth.”

Mia looked at Ethan.

“What?”

“Why do you love him?”

The question shocked her.

Ethan looked at his grandmother.

“Margaret.”

“What?”

“We don’t have to—”

“I asked her.”

Mia’s heart began racing.

This was not part of the plan.

She looked at Ethan.

He was watching her.

Waiting.

Mia swallowed.

“Because…”

Her mind went blank.

Why did she love him?

She didn’t.

This was fake.

Pretend.

A lie.

Then she remembered something.

“He makes me laugh.”

Ethan’s expression softened.

Mia continued.

“He listens.”

Margaret watched her carefully.

“He remembers small things.”

Ethan looked down.

Mia’s voice became quieter.

“And he makes me feel safe.”

The table went silent.

Ethan looked at her.

Something had changed in his eyes.

Mia realized she had said too much.

Margaret smiled.

“Interesting.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Dinner continued.

But Ethan barely spoke.

Later that night, Mia stood on the balcony.

The lake was quiet.

Moonlight reflected across the water.

She heard footsteps behind her.

Ethan.

“Can’t sleep?”

“No.”

“Me neither.”

He stood beside her.

For a while, they watched the lake.

Then Ethan said:

“You didn’t have to say those things.”

Mia looked at him.

“What things?”

“At dinner.”

“They were part of the act.”

“Right.”

Silence.

Mia looked away.

“You don’t have to worry.”

“About what?”

“I know this is fake.”

Ethan nodded.

“Of course.”

“You’re not my boyfriend.”

“I know.”

“I’m not your girlfriend.”

“I know.”

“We’re pretending.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Ethan looked at her.

“Then why does it feel real?”

Mia froze.

She didn’t know what to say.

Before she could answer, Ethan’s phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

His expression changed.

“Who is it?”

“Unknown number.”

“Again?”

Ethan answered.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Then a voice.

A woman.

“Mia shouldn’t be there.”

Ethan stood straight.

“Who is this?”

The woman laughed.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Ethan.”

“Tell me who you are.”

“Ask Mia.”

Ethan looked at Mia.

She could hear the voice through the phone.

The woman continued:

“Ask her what happened twenty years ago.”

The call ended.

Mia felt cold.

Ethan lowered the phone.

“What happened twenty years ago?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.”

Mia stared at him.

“Excuse me?”

“Someone knows about you.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“Then tell me the truth.”

“I don’t know what truth you want!”

Ethan stepped closer.

“Your father.”

Mia’s eyes filled with tears.

“Stop.”

“Who was he?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then why does everyone else seem to know?”

Mia pushed past him.

“I’m going to bed.”

“Mia.”

She stopped.

“Please.”

She turned.

Ethan’s anger was gone.

Now he looked hurt.

“I don’t understand.”

Mia’s voice broke.

“Neither do I.”

She went inside.

Ethan remained on the balcony.

He didn’t follow her.

For the first time, Mia wondered if she had made a mistake.

The next morning, she woke to loud voices.

She opened her door.

Ethan was standing in the hallway.

His grandmother was arguing with someone.

Mia stepped closer.

Then she saw the woman.

Sophie.

Ethan’s ex-girlfriend.

Mia’s heart sank.

Sophie looked beautiful.

Perfect hair.

Perfect dress.

Perfect smile.

She looked at Mia.

Then smiled.

“So you’re the girlfriend.”

Mia forced a smile.

“Yes.”

Sophie looked at Ethan.

“You moved on quickly.”

Ethan’s voice became cold.

“Sophie, why are you here?”

“Your grandmother invited me.”

Margaret appeared behind her.

“I did.”

Ethan stared at his grandmother.

“Why?”

“Because Sophie is family.”

Mia felt uncomfortable.

Sophie smiled.

“Not yet.”

Ethan’s expression darkened.

“That was never going to happen.”

Sophie looked at Mia.

“Are you sure?”

Mia crossed her arms.

“About what?”

“About Ethan.”

Mia frowned.

Sophie stepped closer.

“Do you really know him?”

“Enough.”

“Do you know why he doesn’t trust people?”

Mia didn’t answer.

“Do you know why he never talks about his father?”

Ethan suddenly spoke.

“Leave.”

Sophie ignored him.

“Do you know why his last relationship ended?”

Mia looked at Ethan.

He was staring at Sophie.

“Because he found out she was lying.”

Sophie smiled.

“Isn’t that interesting?”

Mia’s heart sank.

Ethan stepped forward.

“Sophie.”

She looked at him.

“Yes?”

“One more word.”

“What?”

“About my girlfriend.”

He stopped.

“Or about her past.”

Sophie smiled.

“You’re protecting her.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Ethan didn’t hesitate.

“Because I love her.”

Mia froze.

Sophie froze.

Even Margaret looked surprised.

Ethan seemed surprised by his own words.

Mia’s heart began racing.

Sophie stared at him.

“You love her?”

Ethan looked at Mia.

For one second, neither spoke.

Then Mia realized.

He was pretending.

Of course.

This was the relationship.

The act.

The lie.

She forced a smile.

“Of course he does.”

Ethan looked at her.

Mia stepped closer.

She placed her hand on his chest.

“He’s completely in love with me.”

Sophie looked furious.

“Then kiss him.”

Mia froze.

“What?”

Sophie smiled.

“If you’re really together.”

Ethan looked at Mia.

The entire hallway became silent.

Mia could hear her own heartbeat.

Ethan whispered:

“We don’t have to.”

Mia looked at him.

His eyes were asking her a question.

She knew the rules.

No kissing.

That was one of them.

But if she refused, Sophie would know.

Margaret would know.

Everyone would know.

Mia took a breath.

She wrapped her arms around Ethan’s neck.

Then she kissed him.

The world disappeared.

For a moment, Mia forgot they were pretending.

Ethan’s hands moved to her waist.

The kiss was supposed to last three seconds.

It lasted much longer.

When they finally pulled apart, Mia couldn’t breathe.

Neither could Ethan.

Sophie looked shocked.

Margaret smiled.

Mia quickly stepped away.

“Happy?”

Sophie said nothing.

She turned and walked away.

Ethan looked at Mia.

“What was that?”

Mia’s heart was pounding.

“A kiss.”

“I know.”

“You asked me to make it believable.”

“I didn’t ask you to—”

“You’re welcome.”

Mia walked away.

Ethan followed.

“Mia.”

“What?”

“That wasn’t part of the agreement.”

“You said no kissing.”

“Exactly.”

“You didn’t stop me.”

Ethan became silent.

Mia looked at him.

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

That answer scared her.

Because she didn’t know either.

Later that afternoon, Mia walked alone near the lake.

She needed space.

The kiss wouldn’t leave her mind.

It had felt real.

Too real.

She touched her lips.

Then she heard something behind her.

She turned.

No one.

She walked again.

A few seconds later, her phone vibrated.

Unknown number.

One message.

YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE KISSED HIM.

Mia froze.

Another message arrived.

NOW HE’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU.

She stared at the screen.

Then the final message appeared.

AND WHEN HE FINDS OUT WHO YOUR FATHER WAS, HE’LL HATE YOU.

Mia’s hands began shaking.

She looked toward the house.

Ethan was standing on the balcony.

Watching her.

Their eyes met.

Mia quickly hid her phone.

Ethan came downstairs.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“You look scared.”

“I’m fine.”

“Mia.”

She turned away.

“I said I’m fine.”

Ethan walked closer.

“You can tell me anything.”

She almost laughed.

Anything?

How could she tell him?

She didn’t even know the truth herself.

Before she could answer, Ethan’s grandmother appeared.

“Mia.”

Mia turned.

Margaret was holding an old photograph.

“Come with me.”

“Why?”

“I need to show you something.”

Ethan stepped forward.

“Grandmother.”

“This doesn’t concern you.”

Mia looked at the photograph.

“What’s that?”

Margaret stared at her.

“Your father.”

Mia’s heart stopped.

Ethan looked at his grandmother.

“What?”

Margaret handed the photograph to Mia.

Mia stared.

A young man stood beside a much younger Margaret.

She recognized him.

She had seen his face in her mother’s old belongings.

The man she had never known.

Her father.

But there was something else.

Behind him stood another young man.

Ethan’s father.

Mia looked at Ethan.

Then back at the photograph.

“Why are they together?”

Margaret’s face became serious.

“Because your father was once my son’s closest friend.”

Mia couldn’t speak.

Ethan stepped closer.

“Grandmother, what are you saying?”

Margaret looked at Mia.

“Your father didn’t abandon your family.”

Mia’s eyes filled with tears.

“Then why did he leave?”

Margaret hesitated.

“Because he was accused of stealing millions from my family.”

Mia felt as if the ground had disappeared.

“What?”

Ethan stared at the photograph.

“That’s impossible.”

Margaret looked at him.

“Is it?”

Mia shook her head.

“My father wasn’t a thief.”

“I never said he was.”

“Then what happened?”

Margaret looked toward the lake.

“Twenty years ago, your father disappeared with a fortune.”

“Where did he go?”

“No one knows.”

“Was he alive?”

Margaret’s voice became quiet.

“Yes.”

Mia’s heart raced.

“How do you know?”

Margaret looked directly at her.

“Because he contacted me three days ago.”

Mia froze.

Ethan stepped forward.

“What did he say?”

Margaret’s eyes moved to him.

“He told me something.”

“What?”

Margaret looked at Mia.

“Your father is coming home.”

Mia couldn’t breathe.

Her father.

The man she had believed had abandoned her.

The man she had spent her entire life wondering about.

Was alive.

And he was coming back.

Then Margaret said the words that changed everything.

“He wants to see his daughter.”

Mia stared.

“When?”

Margaret looked at Ethan.

“Tomorrow.”

Ethan immediately took Mia’s hand.

She didn’t pull away.

Because for the first time since she had met Ethan, she wasn’t thinking about their fake relationship.

She wasn’t thinking about the kiss.

She wasn’t thinking about Sophie.

She wasn’t thinking about the strange messages.

She was thinking about one thing.

Her father was alive.

And he was coming for her.

That night, Mia couldn’t sleep.

She stood on the balcony.

The lake was dark.

Behind her, the door opened.

Ethan.

He walked toward her.

“Are you okay?”

“No.”

He stood beside her.

“I understand.”

Mia looked at him.

“Do you?”

“No.”

She smiled sadly.

“At least you’re honest.”

Ethan looked at her.

“Mia.”

“What?”

“I meant what I said earlier.”

She frowned.

“What?”

“When Sophie was here.”

Mia remembered.

Because I love her.

She laughed nervously.

“You were pretending.”

“I know.”

“That’s what we’re doing.”

“I know.”

“So?”

Ethan stepped closer.

“I don’t think I was pretending.”

Mia’s heart stopped.

“Ethan.”

“I know the rules.”

“No feelings.”

“Yes.”

“Then don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Have feelings.”

He smiled sadly.

“I don’t think I can control that.”

Mia looked away.

“Ethan, this is supposed to be fake.”

“Maybe it was.”

She looked at him.

“But?”

Ethan reached for her hand.

“But I don’t think it is anymore.”

Mia’s eyes filled with tears.

She wanted to tell him she felt the same.

But she was afraid.

Afraid of the messages.

Afraid of her father.

Afraid of the truth.

Afraid that Ethan would eventually discover something that would destroy everything.

So she whispered:

“Don’t fall in love with me.”

Ethan looked at her.

“Why?”

“Because you might regret it.”

“Is that a warning?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Mia’s voice broke.

“Because I don’t know what my father did.”

Ethan held her hand tighter.

“I don’t care.”

“You should.”

“No.”

“Ethan.”

“I care about you.”

Mia looked at him.

“Even if your father was a criminal?”

“Yes.”

“Even if he stole your family’s money?”

“Yes.”

“Even if he hurt your family?”

Ethan stepped closer.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

His answer was simple.

“Because you’re not him.”

Mia began crying.

Ethan gently wiped her tears.

“You’re Mia.”

She closed her eyes.

Then she leaned against him.

For the first time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe love didn’t have to be perfect.

Maybe it could begin with a lie.

Maybe it could survive the truth.

But neither of them knew what tomorrow would bring.

Because the next morning, a black car arrived at the lake house.

A man stepped out.

He was older.

His hair was gray.

His face was tired.

Mia stood at the front door.

She couldn’t breathe.

The man looked at her.

His eyes filled with tears.

“Mia.”

She froze.

She knew that voice.

She had heard it once.

Long ago.

In a childhood dream.

“Who are you?”

The man took a step forward.

“I am your father.”

Mia’s world stopped.

Behind her, Ethan stood frozen.

The man looked at him.

And Ethan immediately recognized him.

His eyes widened.

“No.”

Mia turned.

“What?”

Ethan couldn’t speak.

The man smiled sadly.

Then he said:

“Hello, Ethan.”

Mia looked between them.

“You know each other?”

Ethan’s face had gone completely pale.

The man looked at him.

“We’ve met before.”

“Where?”

Ethan stepped backward.

“Twenty years ago.”

Mia stared at him.

“What is happening?”

Her father looked at Ethan.

Then at Mia.

“I didn’t come here just to see my daughter.”

Mia’s heart began racing.

“Then why?”

Her father looked toward the lake.

“Because the person who destroyed our families knows where you are.”

Ethan grabbed Mia’s hand.

“Who?”

Her father whispered:

“Your grandmother.”

Mia looked at Margaret.

Margaret stood silently at the top of the stairs.

And for the first time, Mia saw something in the old woman’s eyes.

Fear.

Real fear.

Her father continued:

“Margaret Cole is not the woman you think she is.”

Mia stared at him.

Ethan looked at his grandmother.

“Grandmother?”

Margaret said nothing.

Mia’s father took another step forward.

“Twenty years ago, your father was blamed for stealing the Cole fortune.”

Mia’s heart pounded.

“But he didn’t steal it.”

“No.”

“Then who did?”

Her father looked directly at Margaret.

“She did.”

Silence.

Mia turned toward Margaret.

The woman who had invited her into her home.

The woman who had welcomed her.

The woman who had watched her and Ethan pretend to be in love.

Mia suddenly understood.

The fake relationship had never been the real danger.

The real danger had been waiting for them from the beginning.

And Margaret Cole had been waiting twenty years for Mia to return.

Mia’s father whispered:

“She didn’t bring you here because she wanted you to marry Ethan.”

He paused.

“She brought you here because she needs something only you can give her.”

Mia’s voice trembled.

“What?”

Margaret finally spoke.

Her voice was cold.

“The truth.”

She looked at Mia.

“Your father took something from me twenty years ago.”

Mia’s father shook his head.

“No.”

Margaret smiled.

“He took the one thing I could never replace.”

Mia stared.

“What?”

Margaret looked at Ethan.

Then at Mia.

“His love.”

Ethan froze.

Mia didn’t understand.

Then Margaret said:

“Your father didn’t steal my money.”

She smiled.

“He stole my son’s heart.”

Mia’s eyes widened.

“Your son?”

Margaret looked at Ethan.

And then she revealed the secret that would change everything.

“Your father is the reason Ethan’s mother died.”

The world went silent.

Mia turned toward her father.

Ethan stepped away from her.

And the fake relationship that had slowly become real…

…was suddenly standing on the edge of destruction.