Chapter 10
Elara hadn't gotten much sleep the night before.
The whole change still didn't sit right with her.
The sun streamed through the curtains, its brightness forcing her eyes open. She rubbed them, half-hoping it was all a ridiculous dream—but it wasn't. Reality hit her again, heavy and suffocating.
She took a quick shower and slipped into casual clothes. She didn't even know what her "job" here was supposed to be. Was she meant to sit around waiting for his orders? The thought made her scoff.
She'd always been independent—strong-willed, capable. Now, she felt trapped, like she'd been dropped into a gilded cage.
As she reached for the door, she froze. Lucien was probably back. She didn't want to see him—not yet. She wished he'd just vanish long enough for her to run far away.
But hunger won. Her stomach growled in protest.
She took a deep breath and opened the door—only to jump back with a gasp.
Lucien was standing right outside.
"God!" she blurted, pressing a hand to her chest. Her heart was racing.
He didn't say anything. He didn't even look surprised, as if he'd been waiting for her.
Elara tried to steady her breathing, slowly meeting his gaze.
"I thought I said you weren't allowed to inform anyone of our agreement," he said, voice calm but firm.
"I didn't tell anyone," she replied quietly, forcing herself to look him in the eye.
He kept staring, unreadable.
"I… I thought she was supposed to know. I'm sorry," she added softly.
Lucien adjusted his cuffs. "We'll be going for our first public appearance as a couple in two days. Josh will give you everything you need to study and familiarize yourself with. It's one of the biggest events this quarter, so don't mess it up."
"Of course," she muttered.
"I'll be traveling today," he continued. "Josh will drop you off at the event. I'll meet you there."
He turned to leave.
"Why me?" she asked suddenly.
He paused mid-step but didn't turn around. Then he simply kept walking until he disappeared down the hall.
---
Elara made her way to the kitchen. Maggie wasn't there.
A plate of breakfast sat on the counter—still warm.
She hesitated but eventually picked it up. Hunger didn't care about permission.
After finishing the food, she returned to her room. The files Josh had given her earlier sat neatly on the bed. She sighed and started flipping through them one after another—contracts, business profiles, event outlines.
Halfway through the fifth one, her eyes grew heavy. She dropped it beside her and drifted off to sleep.
---
At Lucien's office, Nathan looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
"You what?" Nathan said, leaning forward. "When I said help her out, I didn't mean marry her. I thought you'd already found someone for the role."
"I did," Lucien said coolly. "It's a simple transaction. She needed help. I needed a solution. It works."
Nathan frowned. "Lucien, come on. You know this isn't normal. You can't just—"
"Drop it, Nathan," Lucien cut in, eyes sharp. "It's my decision."
Nathan exhaled heavily, shaking his head. "Fine. Just… don't drag your past into this."
Lucien didn't reply. His expression didn't change.
Nathan sighed and left the office.
---
Elara woke up hours later. A plate of food sat on her bedside table—Maggie must have dropped it off.
Her phone started ringing. Noah.
She hesitated before answering.
"Hey, babe."
"Hey," she said softly.
"Where are you? I stopped by your apartment. You weren't there."
"I'm… I'm at Ryan's," she lied.
"Oh. I wanted us to have dinner tonight."
"I'm not really hungry."
"Come on, we haven't seen each other in a week. I miss you."
Elara's throat tightened. "We can meet some other time, Noah."
"I'll just come see you at Ryan's."
"No!" she shouted before realizing it.
A pause. "Babe, are you okay?" he asked, suspicion lacing his voice.
"I'll come to you instead. Text me your location," she said quickly and hung up.
Her heart pounded. One of the rules was clear—she wasn't allowed to go anywhere without informing Lucien.
Still, she quietly opened her door and tiptoed into the hall, praying Maggie or Josh wouldn't notice.
"Mrs. Voss," a voice said behind her.
She froze.
It was Josh.
"If I may ask, where are you going?" he asked politely but firmly.
"My friend Ryan… she's waiting for me. I'll just be quick."
"Mr. Voss instructed that I take you anywhere you wish to go."
"It's fine, Josh. Really."
He didn't move.
"Please," she said, eyes pleading. "I just need a few minutes. I'll be quick."
After a moment, he nodded slightly and turned away.
Elara exhaled in relief and stepped outside—only to realize she had no car.
Lucien's home was practically at the edge of the city. Walking would take forever. She sighed, rushed back inside, and found Josh again.
"You know what? Ryan gave me the wrong address," she said awkwardly. "It's actually a bit far."
Josh didn't reply, just opened the car door for her.
---
It took an hour to reach Noah's apartment.
"Wait here," she told Josh. "I won't take long."
He nodded, and she went up to the door.
Noah opened it almost immediately, pulling her into a hug.
She stiffened for a second, then slowly hugged him back.
He pulled away, searching her face. "You haven't been sleeping," he said, concern filling his voice.
"I'm fine," she whispered.
He led her to the couch and sat, pulling her gently onto his lap.
"I missed you," he murmured.
She couldn't bring herself to respond.
She still loved him—she knew that. But the guilt sat heavy in her chest. This wasn't love anymore; it was deception.
When his hand slid under her shirt, the cold touch of his skin jolted her. She stood up quickly.
"What's wrong?" he asked, surprised.
"I… I'm sorry, Noah. I'm just not in the mood."
"That's fine. Stay the night, then?"
"I can't."
"You're acting strange. Is something wrong? Are you still angry at me?"
"It's nothing," she said, reaching for her purse. "I have work to do."
"Elara, wait—" He grabbed her hand. "You can't just leave like this."
He held her waist, pressing his lips to her neck.
"Noah, stop. I have to go," she said, pushing him off. She grabbed her purse and rushed out.
Noah stood frozen, then sank onto the couch, dragging his hands through his hair. "What the hell is happening?" he muttered, voice cracking.
---
Outside, Elara's breath came in quick bursts. She scanned the street—
Josh's car was gone.
Her chest tightened.
She was stranded.