something terrifying: I was no longer just Zoey Patel,

-

t morning was the soft hum of t

f someone knocking gently

" a polished

ided in, immaculate as ever in a cream blouse and pencil skirt. Her dark hai

aid, setting a tray of breakfast fresh fruit, croissants, and coffee tha

a training? Like

seen to a smile. "Like how to survive.

-

ke a kid waiting outside the principal's office. Liam sat across from me, sh

oice steady. "In public, you

ch means... I pre

nd look at me like I'm your world. Even if you're furious with me. Even if you wa

spine. "And what st

onto mine. "That the coldest man in Holly

my thoughts scattering. For a m

. "Never engage with the press directly. They wi

the edge of the sof

a. Delete anything questionable. No rants, no politics, n

"So I officially belo

g to the story we're selling. If you can't

father's studio, and the ink already d

esence filling the room. "Then let's

?" I s

ans." He glanced at his watch. "You have four ho

-

ours were

blouse were replaced with a shimmering navy evening gown that hugged my body in all th

nized the woma

e a princess. But all I felt was...

ing over me. His expression didn't change, but I caught the s

he said, offe

into his. His hand was warm, firm, gro

-

f cameras flashing outside the tinted windows. Liam scrolled thr

glancing at me. "Look at me when the

" I whi

d the door opened, a ti

iam! Ove

the new

smile f

the stilettos they'd forced me into, but Liam'

or photos, angled his body to shield me slightly, and whispere

ven as my h

reporter shouted a questio

d Cassandra Voss will

me hit like a p

g. He gave the cameras his signature cold smirk

w

For a fleeting second, the whole world faded, an

-

ng from the ceiling, and the room was a sea of expensive dresses and sharp tuxedos.

s. Liam

iles, his grip on me never loosening. I could feel eye

tarted to relax,

isn't Hollywood's f

ing in a silver gown, a flute of champagne

guests to hear. "How does it feel knowing every woman

hrough the fragile confi

because of course there were cameras turned i

but nothing came ou

is presence suddenly le

ce. "Oh, I'm just welcoming the poor girl to our world. Don't you

-

eath as I stood frozen, everyone wait