Fake dating my enemy, The playboy billionaire

YIREN’S POV

"Because I have a feeling I’m going to leave my heart behind when I leave him," I say, sniffing back tears. "If that happens, I’ll be nothing more than a shell of a person and will have to live a miserable life."

Ning is quiet for a moment, her hand rubbing gently on my shoulder. "When the feelings run this deep, why think of leaving him? Maybe this is it."

I turn to her, the words catching in my throat. "No. This is not it. I don’t do relationships, Ning. I have a set vision for my life—and I can’t pick anything out of it."

Ning doesn’t let up. She looks at me with that knowing, calm expression that always seems to cut through my defenses. "There’s a difference between ’can’t’ and ’don’t.’ When you say ’you can’t,’ it means you’re fighting yourself to accept that decision. So tell me, why are you fighting?"

I’m left speechless, tongue-tied. Her words hit me harder than I expected, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions that I don’t want to give answers for.

"Ning—"

"Yiren, I’ve always supported you in your life—no matter what you decide. I’ve never questioned your choices or your preferences. If it makes you happy, I’ll support you, even if my thinking differs," she says, her gaze steady.

"I know you have a different belief about love," Ning continues, her voice softening. "You’re always scared of it, because it hurts, it brings pain, and it challenges you. But the fact is, it’s out of your control, no matter how much you try to run from it. You can’t leash your heart and soul."

She pauses, letting her words sink in. "And I can see that you’re struggling this time. And you are definitely not happy."

No, I’m not happy.

"Why are you bringing love into this?"

Ning just grins, booping my nose gently. "Because, my cute sister, that’s what’s happening here. You like Jun more than you like yourself. You prioritize him, think about him, put him first. He sneaked into your life with the key to your locked heart when you weren’t watching. Your heart’s unlocked, and now it’s acting up."

I stare at her for a moment, "Wow. What a way to say that."

"I want to lock it back," I say quietly, my voice shaky. "There’s still time. I can still stop whatever this is and save us both from the bigger trouble."

Ning stares at me for a long moment, her gaze penetrating, and I know she’s not done yet, whatever she’s going to ask or say I’m not going to like it.

"Is it because of that test Mom got us done when she was first diagnosed?" she asks softly.

My eyes widen in shock. "You—"

"Yeah, I know about it. I know everything," she says, her tone calm but firm. "I know you and Mom tried to hide it from me, but my stubborn ass couldn’t sit tight, seeing you both acting weird around the house, whispering. So one night when you both were sleeping I stole the keys of mom’s closet to read what you were hiding from me."

I don’t have the strength to fight it anymore. I duck into her embrace, and the tears break free, spilling down my cheeks.

"Oh, Yiren,"

I sob, the tears flowing freely now. This is the first time someone knows, and it feels... relieving, like a heavy burden is finally being lifted.

"I also know why you’re so desperate to make this startup a success and get the inheritance. You want the money for special care and fulfill your dream of seeing the entire world and to leave the rest for my kids, so that we never encounter any problems in life."

I squeeze her tighter, feeling the weight of her words settle in my chest. She returns my hug, holding me close.

"Silly girl,"

I pull back slightly, wiping my eyes. "Why didn’t you ever say it?"

Ning’s gaze softens as she shakes her head. "Because you didn’t want that. You see it as some kind of weakness, and I didn’t want to make you feel any lesser when you were with us." She pauses, her hands gently cupping my face. "I like you most when you’re happy and smiling."

"If you know the truth, you’ll understand why me and Jun can’t happen—"

"No," Ning interrupts, "You’re overthinking this. I’ve read your reports and have discussed it with Zian—"

I bolt upright in bed. "You did what?"

Ning doesn’t flinch, her tone matter-of-fact. "Zian is one of the best neurologists. Of course, it was important to discuss it with him and get his opinion."

"NING!" I exclaim, panic creeping into my voice. "You told Zian? Zian and Jun are best friends!"

Ning gives me an unbothered look. "Have you heard of the Hippocratic Oath and doctor-patient confidentiality?"

I groan into the pillow, frustration bubbling up. "You don’t understand."

"Dammit, it’s you who doesn’t understand!" Ning snaps, her voice rising. "You’re acting like you have a terminal disease and you’re about to die any moment. For God’s sake, you don’t have a disease yet! The reports say you tested positive for the EOFAD gene mutation, meaning you have a 25% chance of getting Alzheimer’s—just like Mom."

Her words sting like a slap.

"You’re treating it like a death sentence. You’ve been carrying this fear for so long, but it’s not the end. You’re still you. You’re still here. There is no certainty here. It’s all a probability."

I turn to her, "Don’t forget, we have a long family history! Mom, aunty, grandma, grandma’s sister, and — they all died from this. In my case, 25% is no less than 100%." My voice cracks.

When a parent tests positive for the EOFAD gene, it means there’s a 50% chance their children inherit it.

Ning didn’t test positive for the gene mutation. So her chances of getting AD are less than 3%. But mine are 25%

Damn 25%

And then the risk of passing this cursed thing onto our kids...

"You’ve seen what Papa has become," I remind her, my throat tightening. "How Mom used to live a lifeless life for five years, forgetting everything... even her name! Remember the times she used to get violent, and once she almost killed Papa because she forgot who he was and mistook him for a thief?"

I meet Ning’s eyes, feeling the weight of my fears bearing down on me. "I can’t wish that misery on anyone—least of all Jun. His vibrant personality lights up everything. I can’t... I can’t put him through that."

"Yire--"

Knock knock

Ning left to check the door, returning a second later....

"Someone is here to see you. Do you want me to send him back?"

"Yes."