The CEO's Unexpected Fiancèe

Chapter 10 (The Truth That Changes Everything)

The sun dipped low over the Maldives, casting gold across the water as Alexander stood by the infinity pool, hands in his pockets. He hadn’t said much since the headlines hit. “Fake Engagement to Distract from Scandal,” the tabloids screamed. His name, my name, both smeared like gossip on glass.

Inside the villa, I paced. My mind spun with questions I didn’t want to ask. Why hadn’t he told me? Was this engagement just damage control? I’d let myself start falling—for real. I’d seen a man who listened when I talked about art, who protected me when the cameras swarmed. But maybe I’d been nothing more than a PR shield all along.

“Alexander,” I said, stepping outside. “We need to talk.”

He turned. The way the last light hit his face—it should’ve been a painting. But I wasn’t seeing art tonight. I needed the truth.

He nodded, calm. Too calm. “I figured we would.”

“Is it true?” I asked, not bothering to sugarcoat it. “Was this whole engagement staged to distract from your company’s scandal?”

He didn’t flinch. “Yes.”

The air left my lungs. He didn’t even try to deny it.

“At first,” he added, stepping closer. That’s how it started. My legal team thought the media would lose interest in the investigation if something more exciting popped up. A fake love story was the perfect distraction.

I stared at him, my throat tightening. “And you picked me. Why?”

He hesitated. “Because you were already part of the story." Ethan’s very public breakup. The sympathy. You were relatable… human. And when I met you at that fundraiser, I knew you’d be perfect.”

I blinked, like he’d slapped me. “Perfect?”

“For the media,” he clarified, too late. “But then... things changed.”

“You don’t get to say that,” I snapped. “You used me.”

“I didn’t mean to—”

“You didn’t mean to?” I echoed, my voice rising. You sat there and listened to me talk about my dreams like it mattered. You told me I had a spark! Was that just part of the plan?”

His jaw tensed. “No. That part was real.”

I wanted to believe him. But how could I?

“I care about you, Emma. I still do.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” I whispered. “Why let me fall for something built on a lie?”

He looked wrecked now, like my words hit harder than he expected. “Because I was afraid if I told you, I’d lose you.”

“Too late.”

I turned away, heart pounding. I didn’t even feel the tears until one slid down my cheek. I wiped it away angrily.

Behind me, Alexander stepped closer. “Emma…”

“Don’t,” I said. “Not right now.”

I walked inside, the weight of everything crashing down. What was real? What was just the performance?

I grabbed my sketchpad, needing something—anything—to anchor me. My fingers moved by instinct, sketching the shoreline, the waves, a lone figure on the pier. The lines were harsh, bold. Nothing soft remained.

Then came the knock at the door.

I wiped my face and opened it, half expecting Alexander.

But it wasn’t him.

It was a staff member, holding out a small white envelope. “For you, miss. Delivered by hand.”

I frowned, taking it. The handwriting was unfamiliar. Inside was a single sheet of thick paper.

“Emma,

You deserve the truth. Ask Alexander about December 15th. Ask him who really leaked the financial report.

—A Friend”

My fingers froze. December 15th? That was the date the media first linked me to Alexander. The day after, Ethan posted that cryptic photo. The timing suddenly seemed... deliberate.

I reread the note. Leaked financial report?

Why would someone send this now?

I turned, the villa suddenly feeling colder than the night outside. I had too many questions, and too little trust left.

I marched out to the deck. Alexander was still there, staring out at the horizon like it held answers.

I held the note out. “Who sent this?”

He took one look and stiffened. “Where did you get that?”

“It was delivered just now. You want to explain it?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “That report wasn’t supposed to go public. It outlined internal losses—shareholders would’ve panicked. Someone leaked it prematurely.”

“And?”

He hesitated. “I was one of the people with access. But I wasn’t the leak.”

“Then who was it?”

He looked away. “Ethan.”

The ground tilted beneath me.

“What?”

He nodded grimly. He knew exposing the report would tank my reputation and, by extension, the company. It would hurt stock prices and scare investors. He wanted me vulnerable.”

“You’re saying Ethan leaked your report... to ruin you?”

“Yes. And the moment that happened, my team went into overdrive. They wanted a distraction. That’s when they brought up you.”

My stomach churned. “So Ethan sabotaged your company and dragged me into a fake engagement?”

Alexander stepped forward. “I didn't know about the leak until weeks later. I confronted him. He didn’t deny it.”

My world cracked open. Ethan had always said Alexander was manipulative, ruthless. But what if Ethan had played both of us?

“I should’ve told you earlier,” Alexander said. But I didn’t want to drag you into something darker. I was trying to protect you.

I looked at him, searching for his eyes. For the first time since the truth came out, I saw something raw, something broken. Not the CEO with all the answers. Just a man caught in the mess his world had created.

I sat down slowly, the note still clutched in my hand. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”

“Then let me prove to you what’s real,” he said softly. No cameras. No contracts. Just us.”

I met his gaze, unsure whether to trust him or me. But before I could respond, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Olivia.

“Emma. Ethan just did an interview. Said you were manipulated by Alexander into faking the whole relationship. It’s blowing up.”

I stared at the screen.

Then the sound of a news alert chimed from the television inside the villa. Alexander and I both turned toward it. The anchor’s voice rang out, clear and sharp:

“Breaking news tonight as Ethan Cole, former partner of Emma Sinclair, steps forward with explosive allegations. In a live interview just moments ago

"...and Ethan Cole, ex-boyfriend of Emma Sinclair, has just accused tech mogul Alexander Carter of orchestrating the entire relationship for corporate gain. When asked for proof, Cole claimed to have emails and messages that would implicate Carter directly..."

Alexander’s f

Ace went pale.

And mine? I felt ice settle into my veins.

Because just as I thought things couldn’t get worse… Ethan made sure they did.