Nina's POV
I didn't sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Theo's face inches from mine. Heard his voice saying I've always noticed. Felt his hand in my hair.
At 3 AM, I gave up and worked on design mockups.
At 6 AM, my phone exploded with text messages.
The first was from Elena.
OMG THEO TOLD ME EVERYTHING! Why didn't you say something last night?! We need to talk ASAP! Lunch today? Please say yes! I want to hear all the details about how you two finally got together!
I stared at the message, guilt twisting in my stomach. Sweet, enthusiastic Elena who thought this was real.
The next message was from Priya.
Your mom posted the photo. IT'S EVERYWHERE. You and Theo look so good together I want to cry. Call me immediately.
I opened Instagram with shaking hands.
There it was. The photo from last night. Me and Theo by the fireplace, his arm around my waist, both of us smiling. We looked happy. Natural. Like a real couple.
Mom had captioned it: My beautiful daughter Nina and her wonderful boyfriend Theo! So blessed! #family #love #finally
The comments were already pouring in.
Aunt Maria: I KNEW IT! You two are perfect together!
Cousin Sophia: Wow, didn't see this coming but I love it!
Family friend: Such a beautiful couple! Congratulations!
Fifty-three likes. Twenty-eight comments. All from people who believed the lie.
My phone rang. Priya.
Have you seen the post? she said the second I answered. Nina, you two look so in love it's disgusting. When did this photo happen?
Last night. At Sunday dinner. We told everyone.
And? How did it go?
I thought about Marcus's suspicious face. About almost kissing Theo in his car. About the text demanding I come to his office this morning.
Complicated, I said.
Complicated good or complicated bad?
I don't know yet.
Priya was quiet for a moment. Are you okay? You sound weird.
I'm fine. Just tired.
Did something happen with Theo?
We almost kissed. He told me he's been noticing me for five years. I'm lying to everyone I love and I don't know how to stop.
No, I lied. Everything's fine. I have to go—I have a meeting this morning.
With who?
Marcus.
Oh. Priya's voice changed. He's still mad about you dating his best friend?
Something like that.
Want me to come with? Moral support?
I'll be fine. I hoped that was true. I'll call you later.
I hung up and stared at my phone. 7:15 AM. Marcus's office at 9 AM. Elena's lunch at 1 PM.
A whole day of lying ahead of me.
I got dressed in my most professional outfit—black pants, cream blouse, blazer. Armor for whatever interrogation Marcus had planned.
At 8:45, I was standing outside Marcus's office building, trying to calm my racing heart.
My phone buzzed. Theo.
Good luck with Marcus. Don't let him intimidate you. And remember—we're really dating. You have feelings for me. This isn't fake. Sell it.
Another text followed immediately.
About last night in the car—we should talk. But later. After you survive my best friend trying to destroy you.
I almost smiled despite my nerves.
Thanks for the pep talk. Very reassuring.
You'll be fine. You're brilliant, remember?
I took a deep breath and walked inside.
Marcus's office was on the fifteenth floor. The receptionist recognized me and waved me through.
He's expecting you, she said. But fair warning—he's in a mood.
Great.
Marcus was standing at his window when I entered, hands in his pockets, staring out at the Chicago skyline.
Close the door, he said without turning around.
I did.
He turned to face me. His expression was hard. Lawyer-mode Marcus, not big-brother Marcus.
Sit.
I'd rather stand.
Nina, sit down.
I sat.
Marcus leaned against his desk, arms crossed. I'm going to ask you some questions. I want honest answers.
Okay.
How long have you had feelings for Theo?
The question caught me off guard. I'd expected accusations, not this.
I don't know, I said carefully. It developed gradually. We started really talking at his birthday party last month, and—
Before that, Marcus interrupted. Did you ever think about him before last month?
I thought about Theo's confession. About him noticing me for five years.
Sometimes, I admitted. He was always around. Always there for family dinners and holidays. I noticed him, but I never thought... I mean, he was your friend. It felt off-limits.
That, at least, was true.
Marcus studied me. And now?
Now we're dating.
Are you in love with him?
My heart stopped. What?
It's a simple question, Nina. Are you in love with Theodore Alexandris?
I thought about Theo's hand on my back. His voice defending me to my mother. The way he'd almost kissed me last night.
I don't know, I said honestly. It's new. We're still figuring it out.
But you have feelings for him.
Yes. That wasn't entirely a lie. I did have feelings. I just didn't know what kind.
Marcus pushed off the desk and started pacing. Do you know what Theo said to me outside last night?
He told me you threatened his career.
Because I meant it. Marcus spun to face me. Nina, Theo is my best friend. He's the closest thing I have to a brother. But you're my actual sister. And if he hurts you—
He won't.
How do you know?
Because I trust him.
You trusted Dylan too.
The words hit like a punch.
That's not fair, I said quietly.
Isn't it? Marcus sat down across from me. Dylan destroyed you, Nina. I watched you fall apart. I watched you build walls so high no one could get through. And now suddenly you're dating my best friend and everything's perfect?
I didn't say it was perfect. I said it was new.
It feels too convenient. Marcus leaned forward. You need a boyfriend for Santorini. Theo needs a girlfriend to impress his firm. Suddenly you're together right before both events?
My blood went cold. What are you saying?
I'm saying it's suspicious. The timing. The announcement. The way neither of you mentioned anything until last night. His eyes bored into mine. Are you using each other?
No. The lie came out too fast.
Nina—
We're not using each other, Marcus. We have real feelings. This isn't some arrangement.
But my voice shook slightly. Just enough.
Marcus heard it.
I want to believe you, he said quietly. I want to believe my best friend and my sister actually fell for each other. But something feels wrong. And until I figure out what, I'm watching both of you.
He stood up. The meeting was over.
One more thing, Marcus said as I reached the door. If this is real, prove it. Show me this isn't some fake relationship to solve your respective problems.
How am I supposed to prove feelings?
I don't know. But you better figure it out. His expression softened slightly. Because if you're lying to me, Nina—if you're lying to the whole family—the fallout is going to destroy everyone. Including you.
I left his office feeling sick.
By noon, I was a wreck.
I'd gone back to my studio and tried to work, but I couldn't focus. Marcus's words kept echoing.
Prove it. Show me this isn't fake.
How were we supposed to prove something that wasn't real?
My phone buzzed. Elena.
Still on for lunch? The café near your studio? I'm SO EXCITED!
I'd completely forgotten.
See you at 1. Can't wait!
I touched up my makeup and walked the three blocks to the café. Elena was already there, practically bouncing in her seat.
She launched herself at me the moment I arrived.
Nina! Oh my God, I'm so happy! She hugged me tight. I've been waiting for this for YEARS!
We sat down, and Elena immediately started firing questions.
How did it happen? When did you know? What did Theo say? Tell me everything!
I repeated the backstory we'd created. His birthday party. Coffee dates. Realizing there were feelings.
Elena listened with shining eyes.
I knew it, she said when I finished. I've known for years that Theo had feelings for you.
My stomach flipped. What?
Oh, come on. The way he looked at you at family dinners? The way he always asked Marcus about you? I'm his sister, I notice these things.
He asked Marcus about me?
All the time. Trying to be casual about it, but I could tell. Elena grinned. He'd be like 'How's Nina's business going?' or 'Is Nina seeing anyone?' Super subtle. Not.
My heart was racing. Had Theo really been asking about me? Or was Elena seeing what she wanted to see?
What else did he say? I asked, unable to help myself.
That you were off-limits. That Marcus made him promise not to pursue you. That it would never happen. Elena rolled her eyes. I told him that was ridiculous. You're perfect for each other.
We're very different.
Exactly! He's all serious and controlled. You're creative and spontaneous. You balance each other out. She grabbed my hand. Nina, I've never seen my brother this happy. Whatever you're doing, keep doing it.
The guilt was crushing.
Elena—
I know Marcus is being weird about it. But he'll come around. He just needs to see that Theo's serious about you.
And you think he is? Serious?
Are you kidding? Theo doesn't do casual. If he's with you, he's all in. Elena's expression turned serious. Just... be patient with him, okay? After our parents died, he had to grow up so fast. He raised me instead of living his own life. He doesn't know how to let people in.
My throat felt tight. I'll be patient.
Good. Because you two are going to be so happy together. I can feel it.
We ordered lunch and talked about safer topics. Elena's work at the hospital. My Nashville project. Her upcoming trip to visit friends in New York.
But the whole time, I felt like a fraud.
Sweet Elena who was genuinely excited for us. Who thought this was real. Who had no idea her brother and I were lying to everyone.
After lunch, Elena hugged me goodbye.
Thank you for making him happy, she whispered. He deserves someone amazing. And you're perfect.
I walked back to my studio feeling worse than ever.
At my desk, I pulled up the photo Mom had posted. Me and Theo looking so happy. So natural.
Before I could overthink it, I reposted the image to my own Instagram.
Simple caption: New chapter.
The likes started immediately.
Priya commented first: MY FAVORITE PEOPLE! So happy for you both!
Then my aunts. My cousins. Old college friends.
Within twenty minutes, I had over a hundred likes.
And then I saw it.
A new like from someone I hadn't spoken to in three years.
Dylan.
He'd not only liked the photo—he'd commented.
Congrats, Nina. Didn't know you moved on so fast. Hope this one works out better.
The passive-aggressive tone was obvious.
I stared at the comment, anger rising.
Before I could respond, my phone rang. Theo.
Don't reply to Dylan's comment, he said immediately.
How did you—
I saw it. I'm tagged in the photo, remember? Instagram notified me.
He's trying to get under my skin.
I know. Don't let him. Theo's voice was firm. He wants you to react. To look desperate or defensive. Don't give him that satisfaction.
So what do I do?
Nothing. Let me handle it.
Theo
Trust me.
I heard typing on his end.
What are you doing?
Leaving my own comment.
I refreshed Instagram.
Theo had commented directly under Dylan's message:
Thanks, Dylan. This one's definitely working out. Nina's extraordinary—but I'm sure you already knew that.
Simple. Polite. Devastating.
The implication was clear: Dylan had let someone extraordinary slip away.
That was I didn't know what to say.
Strategic, Theo finished. He wants to play games? I've been destroying people in courtrooms for ten years. He doesn't stand a chance.
Despite everything, I smiled. Thank you.
How was lunch with Elena?
Good. She's really happy for us. The guilt returned. Theo, she thinks this is real. She thinks you've had feelings for me for years.
Theo was quiet for a long moment.
What did she say exactly?
That you used to ask Marcus about me. That she could tell you had feelings even when you were trying to hide them.
More silence.
Theo?
Elena sees what she wants to see, he said finally. She's a romantic. She probably read more into casual questions than was actually there.
But something in his voice felt off. Like he was lying.
Was any of it true? I asked quietly. What you said last night in the car
I need to go. Conference call in two minutes. His voice shifted back to business mode. I'll pick you up Wednesday night for the firm mixer. Seven o'clock. Wear something impressive.
Theo
We'll talk later, Nina. I promise.
He hung up before I could respond.
I sat there staring at my phone.
At the Instagram post with its perfect caption and hundred-plus likes.
At Dylan's comment and Theo's response.
At the elaborate lie we were building for the world to see.
My phone buzzed one more time.
A text from Marcus.
Saw the Instagram post. Very convincing. Almost like you planned it.
Then another message.
I'm watching you both. Don't forget that.
I set down my phone and put my head in my hands.
We'd survived one family dinner.
But Marcus wasn't buying it.
Dylan was circling like a shark.
And Theo was pulling away every time things got too real.
This fake relationship was supposed to solve our problems.
Instead, it was creating new ones we'd never anticipated.
And the scariest part?
I wasn't sure I wanted it to be fake anymore.