low-key luxury of the ballroom, the clinking of wine glasses, and the gentle hum

erfect fiancée. The woman who could stand by Damien

es. His posture was commanding, and his eyes were keen. He was the f

n with the expensive dress he had bought her, the expensive s

thentic. Non

her said, "Don

, grinning mischievously next to her. She had that look

orcing a quick smile. "Ju

urning to Elena. He's not typically this way, you know. friend

ed. "I'm not

as she laughed softly. Simply put, don't count on it to las

r all, this was just a contract, a deal. No real emotions are involved. She pondered what would happen i

found her again, bending

but he spoke with warmth when

d stiffly.

the crowd. "Enj

or, she remarked, "I'm managing

ough the remainder of the evening first, tho

nodded. She didn't live in this world. She d

guests. A woman. Her smile was well-practiced, elegant, and poised. She was stari

seen this woman before. At one of the e

asked quietly, noddi

slightly hardened. "It's Sophia," he

the rumours she had heard about Damien's past. It felt different now, though,

ena's question was hardly

r. "You shouldn't

like a mask. She stood next to Damien, an accessory to the spectacle, while he was far away

y got into the car, something was different. The tension tha

into the seat beside her. "W

ed uneasily in her lap. "That woman-Sophia. Why you're still...

nched. "It's not yo

had an agreement, you know. I feel like a pawn in y

ted in Damien's eyes, but the ca

they entered the pentho

her. She welcomed the cool night air, even though it felt like

her as she leaned over the railing. She

as he said, "I apologise." "I didn't m

his face. "Then what am I?

the only person I currently trust, which is why

was the real Damien Blackwood because of something in them.

nique to me?" Her question was

er in with his presence. "I believe that we are both terrified of wha

the walls were collapsing. But was