e of the dressing table. His reflection appeared behind her in the mirror, composed as ever, his presence cutting through her pan

tract," she said, her voice tight as she met his gaze through the mirror. "You didn't say anything about a full wedding, about guests,

ublic marriage requires a public ceremony. Or did you think I would quietly sign papers and let the world question my decisions?" His e

d, turning to face him fully now, her voice rising despite herself. "I signed your contract. I gave you a yea

cause the moment you walk out that door, you don't get to react like this anymore. You don't get to question me in front of others. You

ofter now but trembling under the weight of everything. "What if your mother sees through me? What if I say the wrong thing and

d simply. "You adapt. You observe. You become exactly what they expect to see." His gaze dropped

"You make it sound so easy. Like I can just step into this life and pretend I've always belon

without hesitation. "I'

tled heavily

shoulders. "And if survival means losing myself in the process?" she asked quietly. "If by

r you consider who you are now worth holding on to," he said calmly. "Be

t before she could respond,

oice called soft

apped into som

like a stranger dressed in someone else's life. "This isn't r

eal," he said. "And in a few minutes, everyone out there will believe it is exactl

tly. "I'll do it. I'll play your role." She turned her head slightly, her eyes

was no warmth in it. "I don't need you to fo

ara's breath caught as she stepped into the hall, t

his hand resting lightly at her back as if guidin

nder her breath, her smile fixed as she wa

"Second row. Left side. And

"Of course she is," she mu

said calmly. "Wal

the distance between her and the altar slowly disappeared. "This feels li

without hesitation. "It belong

words stung more

trembling slightly despite her effort to remain composed. "If I faint

nic said calmly. "You d

ance. "You really know

ou," he replied. "I'm here

to hold onto the role she had agreed to play. "Say it clearly," Dominic murmured quietly when it was

odded slightly. "You're asking

ing it," he

to this marriage," she said, the words feeling heavier than they should. "To the responsibilities

passed through his eyes, and that unsettled her more than if he had shown nothing at all. Before she could think further, he reached for her hand, h

eel any less real." Her fingers trembled slightly as he slid the ring into place, the cool metal settling against her sk

more controlled than before. His thumb brushed against her finger for the briefest moment, deliberate, calculated. "Up until this poi

steady as she searched his face. "You make it sound like I've given up more than just a si

to make her chest tighten painfully. "You're not wrong," he said at last, his voice calm but carrying

eady and slid the ring onto his finger, her touch lingering for half a second longer tha

heard any of it. Her pulse roared in her ears, her thoughts tangled, her emotions spiraling between fear and som

it sound so easy," she whispered without turning her head. "Like I can just switch this on

at I feel is irrelevant," he said calmly. "What matters is what they see." His hand settled lightly a

window. She kept her hands folded tightly in her lap, her fingers brushing against the ring as if trying to understand its

," she admitted, turning her head just enough to glance at him. "Your mother didn't stop staring at

ominic replied, his tone ne

le to hide the anxiety creeping in. "Don't do that, Dominic. Don't just leave

g far longer than it should. Elara's pulse quickened, her thoughts spiraling as she wait

eliberate and unreadable. "She wa

she said, her voice unsteady. "She already met me. She watched the entire

cision. "Not like that." He paused briefly, his eyes holding hers n

eaning settled in. "Alone?" she repeated softly, her voice ba

inic replied wi

does she want from me?" she asked, her voice tightening despit

, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. "To test you,

e how?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her eff

ding intensity that made her breath catch. "By proving," he said, his voice droppi

of her dress. "And if she does?" she asked, her voice barely steady now, fear creeping in

ble, his voice quiet but final. "Then everything you fought for," he said sl

ong enough to mak

isapp

with a truth Elara could no longer ignore. And as her fingers tightened unconsciousl

asn't just a co

she could ve