The Big Day Deceit by Ann Fairway

Author:Ann Fairway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: second chance romance, marriage of convenience romance, arranged marriage enemies to lovers, romance over 40, clean contemporary romance, fake relationship romance, forced proximity, slow burn romance, secret baby
Publisher: Stargazing Turtle
Published: 2025-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

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Annie closed the door behind her and marched toward the open windows with the energy of a three-year-old. A scraping sound made her listen for clues.

A chuckle escaped her as she caught Conrad’s voice, muttering curses under his breath. She shut the window, silencing both the scraping noise and the chirping of birds outside.

“Good.” Conrad wouldn’t hear her either.

Annie climbed onto the bed, plumped the cushions, and arranged them behind her back before picking up the phone from the nightstand. No new notifications. She should have felt relieved, but her tense shoulders and neck suggested otherwise. Darren. Even without a new text from him, Annie could feel him circling, getting closer.

Her hand stroked her belly in a protective gesture. No, she wouldn’t let this baby be harmed like—

Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked them away. Thinking about the past wouldn’t help the future. She took a few deep breaths, rolling her head from side to side to relax her neck muscles. Once she trusted her voice, Annie tapped the video call button on her phone.

A tanned face framed by joyful copper curls, adorned with a vivid orange flower, appeared on the screen with a wide grin. All of Annie’s worries drifted away at the sight of pure joy on her sister’s face.

“Someone’s having a great time.” Annie tutted, unable to hold back a smile.

Louise’s grin widened, even though it seemed impossible. The view shifted, showing the lounger she rested on, a side table adorned with colourful cocktails in fancy glasses—complete with mandatory umbrellas. The view blurred for a second before zooming in on Louise’s hand.

A ring. A fiery dragon winked at Annie with its amber eye. Annie shrieked. Any other woman seeing this dragon ring might have questioned her partner’s taste, but this ring was so Louise.

“Oh my God, Lou! It’s perfect. When did this happen?”

“I know, right?” The amber eye blinked, reflecting the evening sun’s rays. “It was waiting on a pillow for me when I woke up today.”

“And you didn’t tell me earlier!” Annie jumped up from the bed, unable to sit still.

“I thought about it, but we had a full-on day with the volcano tour, and the signal was patchy.”

Annie paced around the room, brimming with energy. “This is so amazing, Lou. I’m so happy for you—and for Meggie!”

The camera panned back to the cocktails, then to another lounger, where Meggie reclined with effortless ease. Annie had only met her once, but the impression lingered—this was a woman of quiet strength and unwavering confidence. Her straightforward demeanour and warm, steady gaze had instantly earned Annie’s admiration, but it was the gentle way Meggie’s hand rested on Louise’s arm as if anchoring her, that truly spoke volumes.

“Hi Meg, congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Meggie waved, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

The scenery changed, showing the sun setting over the ocean, and then circled back to Louise’s face.

“So, when’s the big day? Have you thought of a date yet?”

Annie stopped pacing, watching as a slight crease formed on her sister’s forehead.

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