AR

the night, making my eyes water. The n

ng random names with microphones thrust forward li

e had chosen catching precariously on the thick edge of the red carpet.

c rescue. But his long fingers digging directly into my ribs were bruis

warm breath brushing against my ear. "And stop walking like a newborn cal

ts. I swallowed the lump of humiliation in my throat, forced my lips

he rigid, unyielding muscle beneath his expensive tuxedo

grand ballroom, the suffocating heat of the paparazzi was r

eilings, casting a golden glow over hundreds of

oors closed behind us, Julia

the air conditioning. He didn't even look at me as his steel eyes

erly terrified," he muttered coldly, adjusting his cufflinks with practiced

as I smoothed down the pink silk of my gown.

snapped, his voice a low, lethal murmur.

d, a familiar, chilling voice cut thr

ing. Vivian.

rds. Tonight, she wore a striking silver gown that shimmered like

ere calculating, glittering with the k

, Julian's entire

ly by a devoted, endearing husband. He wrapped his arm sec

t do a violent flip. He leaned down, press

rmth that sent a shiver down my spine. "We wouldn't dream of missing it.

g moment, the look in his eyes was so full of

ock of hair behind my ear, his thumb gra

he whispered softly, the lie sl

part. I looked up at him, letting a soft, slightly breathl

art. You don't look

ed our little

he facade. She raised a delicate eyebrow

were actually in love, and not just r

d smoothly, his grip tightening on my hip just enough

ice. She gestured toward the center of the ballro

any waiting for the main event. "Well, the guests are dying to see th

veins. "The first dance?" I echoed, my voice cracking sl

g with malicious glee. She knew I was terrified

of course, your stressful wedding dieting has

on my finger. Julian didn't hesitate. He let out a so

looking forward to holding my

a mask of pure devotion, but beneath the surfac

my love?"

ht into the lion's den. I took a deep breath, placed