Fake Husband, Real Affair

Chapter 8

I had already made up my mind, I'd talk to my advisor about switching mentors after the conference. But before I even had the chance, Caleb seemed to read my thoughts.

"My uncle's your advisor," he said casually.

I looked up at him, trying to mask the swirl of emotions on my face.

"I want to be your mentor," he added.

Wait… so I'm the one he's been waiting for?

Before I could respond, someone interrupted us.

"Hello, Mr. Young, I'm with American Medical Technology Co."

The man glanced at me expectantly, clearly waiting for Caleb to introduce me.

I offered a small, polite nod. "I'll let you two talk," I said, slipping away toward a quiet corner.

A moment later, the host's voice echoed through the venue. "Welcome, everyone, to this year's medical equipment conference. Please join me in welcoming our guest speaker for the evening."

"Hello, I'm Mischa Preston."

That made me look up. Mischa? Of course. She was everywhere these days.

Feeling a burning gaze, I turned, only to lock eyes with Caleb. He raised his glass in my direction, and a few people nearby, who had been discussing possible partnerships, glanced at me with renewed interest. I nodded back politely, then quickly looked away.

I kept to my corner, doing my best to ignore Caleb until a stir in the crowd pulled my attention again.

"Miss Preston, is there something going on between you and Mr. Young?" someone joked loudly.

Mischa blushed, laughing it off, but she clung to Caleb's arm like her life depended on it.

To everyone's shock, Caleb smoothly pulled his arm away, his tone light but pointed. "I already have someone I like. I'm pursuing her right now."

As he spoke, his eyes settled directly on me.

Every head turned in my direction.

I stood frozen for a moment, stunned, before snapping out of it and walking off quickly. My mind was spinning, not just from what he said, but from everything. The evening felt like a slow-motion train wreck.

And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I walked out of the venue… and straight into Sean.

He was arguing with security, and the moment he spotted me, he shoved past them and held out the ring I'd thrown away days ago.

"Please," he begged, "just wear this ring. Come back home with me. I've divorced Mischa. We can start over."

The rumors online about their breakup had been wild, but I never imagined they were true.

He grabbed my hand, trying to force the ring back onto my finger.

I yanked it back with all the strength I had. "What the hell are you doing? This is a public event! Can you stop causing a scene? I'm done with you, Sean. We're over!"

People were already whispering, phones recording. The whole mess had caught everyone's attention, including Mischa and Caleb, who had just stepped out of the building. Caleb looked visibly annoyed. Mischa looked furious.

"Sean, seriously? You're crawling back to her now?" she snapped.

Sean turned, laughing coldly when he saw her clinging to Caleb's arm.

"Oh, that's rich. You were the one sneaking around with another guy, and you've got the nerve to come after me?"

That's when it hit me, this entire night had been a colossal mistake.

I turned and started pushing my way through the crowd, needing to get out, to breathe.

But then, a firm hand caught mine from behind. I turned, just in time to see Caleb's hand gently move over my eyes.

"Don't look back," he said quietly. "Let's go."

He walked me to his car, opened the door, and waited until I was inside.

Then he looked at me and smirked. "What are you so scared of? I'm not going to sell you."