hum of polite conversation and clinking champagne flutes. Elena scanned the crowd, her stomach a tight knot.

delivered to her studio that week, each selected by Damon's team to ensure she "fit the image." She had grudgingly chosen this one, though

frame and sharp features, and the way he moved through the crowd exuded power. People parted for him witho

d, leaning closer to her e

a group of women who whispered behind their glasses,

id bluntly. "Don't let it bothe

lied, forcing a small smile.

is lips curving into a faint smi

ression a mix of admiration and sycophancy. "Damon, my boy!" he exclaimed,

rsona, his smile polished and calculated. "

"Fiancée, you say? Damon, you've outdone yourself.

cool but polite. "I'll let you de

sponse. "I look forward to it." With a nod, h

, his voice low enough to b

g for a role," she s

ed. "Every moment in this world is an

This wasn't her world, and no matter how much she tried

ent and concern. She had managed to wrangle an invitation to the event under th

handling it well," a

it nursing a glass of whiskey. His eyes, sharp

oks," Sophie replied cauti

"Let's just say I know Damon. Watching him navi

ophie asked, her

offering his hand. "Busin

shaking his hand briefl

uine interest. "Then you must have some insight into how she's handlin

ie said curtly, no

raising his glass

windows, her fingers tightening around the stem of her champagne flute. The eve

" Damon's voice ca

out turning around. "But ther

orting and unnerving. "You're doing well.

e," she said, fina

gh his tone remained calm. "That

cks in his carefully maintained facade

uestion. "Pretending is part of the job.

"But I don't want to lose my

d simply. "Not if y

ight, his presence commanding attention even without speaking.

m but calculated. "I must say, you'

eplied, her voice

expression hardening slightly

od before following his father

the reins," Gregory s

asked, his tone d

understand the stakes here. This isn't just about appearances, Damon. It's abou

s voice firm. "And she's not a puppet. You'll get more out

on took it as a sign to end the conversation and walked away, his mind already

nversations with a grace she hadn't realized she possessed. By the time

ng lightly on her lower back. The touch was barely no

e said once they

ied, her voice ti

"You did better than most would. But you should g

ard to," she muttered,

uncomfortable. For all their differences, they had m

ut him she couldn't quite unravel, a complexity hidden beneath the po

o it?" she as

wh

ing vaguely. "The performance,

n the city lights outside. When he finally sp

t, and I've learned that expectatio

tell him he didn't have to live his life according to others' demands. But she knew be

ent might have started as a means to an end, but it was becoming something far m