he world she had stepped into wasn't one that came with peaceful sleep. The sounds of the city fi

s. The glittering dresses and sharp suits, the forced smiles and empty chatter, i

nce more. She had made a deal, signed her name to something that would change her life for three

me to Lucien? Was it truly as simple as he had made it sound? Or

it always was, and he made it clear that the next event was approaching, a charity auction whe

he matter was already settled. "I've arranged for the press to be

She had no room for negotiation, no space to questi

cified, she felt both like a stranger to herself and yet more herself tha

ontrast to the unease she felt inside. She was supposed to be his fiancée. She was sup

e last time and exhaled. It was just thr

ll, commanding attention without even trying. His tuxedo, flawless as ever, seemed to cast a shadow across the entire room. And th

voice smooth, his demeanor uncha

efly, managing a tig

o maintain. The cameras flashed and the press gathered around them, eager to capture every second of the fabricated romance. Isla felt like

t your fiancée?" one reporter ask

locked. There was something in his gaze, something unreadable,

his voice devoid of warmth. "But sometimes, the b

keep up appearances. But the longer she stood beside him, the more Isla wondered if that was all he

hanism, that the layers he built around himself were there for a rea

a high-profile charity event. Isla stood by Lucien's side, her role as his fianc

potent, that shook the very foundation of wha

e was not the composed CEO she had grown used to. There was something in his eyes now

is voice low, his gaze trained

the emotions in his tone. "I'm managing,

e murmured, as if he were speaking more to himself than to her. "Thi

skipped. "Wha

ingers brushing hers as he did so. It was a small gesture, but there

ed, his voice low, just for her. "Preten

expected. Was that vulnerability she saw in him?

id, her voice steady but carrying a depth she hadn't in

es narrowing slightly. "I do

unflinching. "I'

oise of the auction and the chatter around them

it was real. Som

m. The distance, the barrier he had so carefully built, seemed to have cracked just a little.

ent, Lucien turned to her befor

is voice low, but with a flicker of someth

ded. "Of

happened between them? Was this still just a contract? Or was somet