na'

ian Grey never speaks unl

lance at me when we pass each other in the halls. Most mornings when he show

ing me, analyzing every breath I took. Not just to see if I was doing the Camil

more terrifying than Marc

the illusion alive. He was try

aid only on

mi

tographers gathered outside the gates. My cheekbones ached from holding the same perfect expressi

il

He said it like a command

, lips stiff as I stared up at him in exhau

er. He just stared at me

es me. I hate how his silence felt like

ded myself that I didn't need his approval. I just

Cassian walked out and

practice to see how you would do

'd do something like a fake public appeara

for a few more seconds before walking away in her b

exact color of the blood f

sn't wear black. I was to be dressed in flashy colors. Tod

oom, my mind wandering back t

have been so tired, and I decided that the note I read may have bee

ay, this place cree

l rang, cutting off m

nowhere, tension flickering

, mirroring he

th

Cassian's best friend. One of the few people o

blazer before opening the door, and the way her voice l

was a

t one. Maybe Cassian sent Etha

y of it, when the front doors

leeves rolled halfway up. His sandy blonde hair was tousled just enough to give him that p

s his

eep a girl off her feet, but only few would notice tha

ing like we were old friends.

s hung between u

h. "Depends on

glinting with something unreadabl

I said dryly. Maybe

us alone in the living room. My instincts screame

nsane when Cassian told me the plan. But then I s

etting to me a little. "

y get you so far in this family. It's th

here it was again, that knowing look. L

ely do not

ping keep this quiet," I said to him,

he replied, with a slight

dangerous i

wider. "You so

ho

mil

ppy with the statement,

ave been cl

id speak a few times. Always short conversations.

y n

ions about the business. About the people Cassian sur

a glint of mischief, but I

ted to meet the new ghost in person. You're d

he stairs, hand

out, stopping sudd

ting a little, but I eventu

er," he said, then co

wasn't we

*

on. Mira had escorted me there earlier after

nursing a cup of tea that

just walked in like she owned the sunli

permint," she said, h

er. Just star

ed gently. "About th

ending I know how to pronounce designer names and pretend

a circus, Elena. It's a strategy. Optics. If you pull this off,

ust... I didn't realize pretending to be so

something close to symp

le when the cameras flash. Walk beside Cassian, not behind him. People remembe

t. Smile, like my bank

ou'll do fine. You're sharper than you let on. Cassian doesn't intimidate yo

eant something

right time to ask

way her fingers twitched in

t her," I answered f

n being her." She relaxed a little and divert

. "He's doing well. I will need a down

nged soon," she sai

*

ine summoned me to

ter. And yes, this house had a drawing room.

er silver blonde hair setpristine on her head. She was

lace, fingers clasped to

e began, eyes like steel behind lashes that nev

top myself. "Because if I trip in heels, I prom

asm is cheap, dear. And in this hou

y discreet. You'd barely k

ding past me walking out of the room with the quiet authority o

as quiet. Just like

as always, He wore a black shirt. His suit buttons undone as

tended the roasted duck placed in front of me didn't taste like sawdust. I tri

atched us like she was con

hat lingered. "You never told me what the board thought of

up at her. "They'll fal

f they

is jaw tightening for ju

certainty. I caught a flicker in Adaline's gaze.

ef moment, his eyes softened with the faintest g

again, the mask was

the exchange like it was a che

he window overlooking the manor grounds, try

will see me fo

from the brink. Beaut

p but wonder what happens when the cameras stop flashing and t

vous at t

asier for me. Serena was the only one

his presence always felt like a pressure point.

not the way Cassian did. Cassian always stared at me with a cold a

ogation. Like he already knew something was

another part of the carefully curated staff, loyal to

asn't ju

ke he remembered s

l or lingering a little too long when I poured a cup of t

*

la arrived, I was

Stylists flew in from different corners. Dresses were

over the phone. "It's Camila's signature colour

tability like impersonating a

ugging every inch of me like a secret I couldn't shake. My

rt. My skin had

feel like C

nt too long when I locked eyes with him. He wore an Ash grey suit with

rom head to toe and for a second, just a second

the cameras and don't speak unless spoken to. Oh, a

rse sh

pretend to be charming

tle in frustration. "Sa

e, it seems," I muttered under my br

and straightened my spine.

econd, but then shook his head an

a ballroom dripping in chandeliers and old money. Every

up the moment

d myself silently, tilting my

yes wide but controlled. Every movement choreographed to sell the

back as we walked in a way that made the cameras swoon, even tho

perfect couple. Every one we passed twisti

sive conversations, and fake laughter, I felt

nded on a pair of blue eyes. A woman with blue eyes and blonde hair sta

wing off her cleavage. Her silver heels clicked agai

ay you extra to wear her face that well? Because

. I tried to smile, to steady my breath, but

o, no

ian was, but he was discussing with

inside my head. Who is she? How do

smoothed down my dress, trying t

th a tight smile etched

d sweetly, even though my heart was