f cups against saucers. Elena sat at a corner table, her sketchpad open, though her pencil hovere

e of power plays and superficial alliances, and it had drained her in ways she hadn't anticipated. Yet, ins

, his presence commanding even in a casual jacket and dark jeans. He scanned the

ding into the chair across from he

ena replied, closing her sket

is eyes narrowing sl

e to think,"

did

. "Last night made one thing very c

his posture shifted. "You held your own better th

compliments," she s

thly. "Because I don

s isn't about whether I can handle it. It's about w

If you're reconsidering, tell me now. But don't expect me to believe that you're

e charade. Smiling when I don't want to, pretending I care about things I

he might argue. Instead, he surprised her. "You'r

caught off guar

erger is finalized and our families are satisfied, we'll figu

xpected him to brush off her concerns or remind her of

you've said to me since we me

ssary," Damon replied, his to

orward. "I need boundaries. If this is go

expression unrea

ustrating, but at least he was willing to listen. She watched him leave the café, his broad s

ief did

ad across the worktable. The headline read: Knight Heir's Fiancée Stuns at Blackstone Gala. Below i

see this," Sophie said, h

h twisting. "They make it sound like

ie said. "Convince everyone you be

s gripping the edge of the table. "I

. "You're not a prop, Elena. If you're

xactly do

id. "You don't have to play th

ords sinking in. Maybe Sophie was right. Maybe

r him in the living room. The other man lounged on the leather sofa, a glass of

Daniel?" Damon said, clo

raising his glass in mock salute. "

t and tossed it onto a nearb

asual. "Word on the street is that your fia

that

d. "Wondering how a girl like he

is movements deliberate. "And w

el said, his smile sharp. "Elena doesn't strike me as the type to follow

unfazed. "She's exactl

But fire has a way of spreading. Yo

r word, leaving Damon

the noise of her new reality. The studio became her refuge, the smell of paint

company-she felt a wave of dread but swallowed it. This was the deal she had agr

e water under the lights. She entered the venue on Damon's arm, he

te dance of politeness and subtle defiance. Damon watched her closely, his gaze unreada

he cool night air, Elena let out a breat

at this," Damon said, h

sed to it,"

surprising and disarming. "You migh

sharp. "And you might not be

e from completely different worlds, bound together by circumstances neither fully controlled. Yet, in that

t would bring them closer