Pretend Ever After: A Fake Relationship Romance by Skye Warren

Author:Skye Warren [Warren, Skye]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Dangerous Press
Published: 2023-06-12T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Finn

The woman behind the reception desk at the emergency department looks at me with undisguised skepticism. She has brown hair in a large poof and scrubs with Smurfs on them. Those things might have made her seem approachable, but the tiredness in her eyes said she’d worked a long shift. And the hard set of her mouth made it clear she had no interest in who I am.

“Sir, I can’t allow unapproved visitors into the emergency department. Or into the OB wing. It’s a question of privacy. And security. I’m sure you understand—”

“Finn.”

She blinks. “Excuse me?”

“My name is Finn Hughes, but you can call me Finn.”

I see the flash of recognition in her eyes. “Mr. Hughes…Finn…I can’t even confirm that Mrs. Morelli is a patient here. It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but there are rules.”

It takes effort to force the patented Finn Hughes charm. “Listen, I know she’s a patient here. I’m a friend of the family. A close friend of the family. And I won’t go past the waiting room.”

“Mr. Hughes, I’m so sorry—” She falls silent as I take out my phone, tap a few things on the screen, and scroll. Then I turn it towards her. “What is that?”

“Twenty million dollars, last year alone.”

“What?”

“That’s how much Hughes Industries donated to this hospital. Which means I’m invested in the longevity of this healthcare facility. As a major donor, I’d like to tour the waiting room.”

Her shoulders stiffen. “A tour can be scheduled at a later time, if—”

“I want to tour it now. Send security with me, if you want. I know these are the Morellis’ people.”

There are four armed guards in the waiting area of the emergency department. It seemed like the fastest way to get to Eva. Now I’m being stonewalled by a very competent nurse. Normally I would respect that, but nothing about this is normal. My future family is at stake.

“Sir. Mr. Hughes. I cannot just—”

“When I have the new OB wing built, I’ll name it after you.” I squint at her nametag. “Cathy. The Cathy Rosel Obstetrics Wing.” A flush darkens her cheeks. “The hospital won’t pay a dime. I’m not trying to cause any trouble, I swear. I’m a friend of the family.”

A heavy silence.

Then: “You need to follow the signs to the OB department. Do not go past the family waiting area, Mr. Hughes. If you do, I’ll have you escorted out by security.”

I grace her with my best Finn Hughes smile. “The Cathy Rosel Obstetrics Wing. I’ll have my people on it by the end of the evening.”

The guards don’t stop me. They let me go past, following the signs deeper into the hospital. Fuck this, my pounding heart says. Fuck not being her family. That was so difficult because I’m not Eva’s husband. I’m not family.

But I don’t care.

I don’t care if she has thoughts about the proposal. I don’t care if she’s pissed at me. I don’t care if she stays that way for the rest of her life.

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