Ophelia's POV,
For the public, we were a love match carved out of fate and scandal.
In private, Dante Vaughn and I lived like parallel lines. Close enough to be mistaken for touching. Never actually meeting.
For a week, we existed in the same mansion without acknowledging each other's presence. Separate wings. Separate schedules. Separate silences. He left before dawn. I returned after midnight. If we crossed paths, it was only as shadows reflected in glass.
My world changed faster than I could adjust. I had spent years as a masked CEO, powerful but unseen. Now my face was public property. Cameras followed me from gates to car doors. Elite society swallowed me whole, dragging me into a world of forced smiles and sharpened etiquette. Invitations arrived daily. Galas. Auctions. Birthdays I had never been important enough to attend before.
I didn't care for any of it.
But Calista did.
"If you disappear for too long and they'll start writing their own stories," she warned, standing over my desk like a judge. "Pick one."
So I did.
Going through the invitations later that day, one card made me pause. The paper was cheaper. The names least impressive. I smiled to myself and accepted without hesitation.
An hour later, I drove to Dante's office.
The reception floor was all glass and marble and intimidation. As I stepped inside, a man leaned lazily against the desk, blond hair perfect, smile practiced, dressed too well for someone who claimed he was just visiting.
"Well," he drawled when our eyes met, straightening slowly, "you're either terribly lost or exactly where I hoped you'd be."
I arched my brow. "That depends. Do you always flirt with women in enemy territory, or am I special?"
His smile sharpened. "Special. Definitely special."
He stepped closer, close enough to invade my space without touching me.
"Lucien," he said. "I assume you already know my face."
I smiled sweetly. "Unfortunately."
He laughed, low and amused.
"Good. I hate introductions that take effort." His gaze flicked over me, unapologetic. "You look nothing like the rumors."
"I've been told," I replied coolly. "Usually by men who regret underestimating me."
"Oh, I'd never do that," he said. "I prefer to admire dangerous women properly."
I folded my arms. "And what exactly are you doing in the Vaughn Empire, Lucien Drake?"
His grin turned wicked. "Meeting my sister-in-law."
I blinked once. "Bold of you to say that to my face."
"Bolder to say it like I'm wrong," he replied, eyes glinting. "Relax. I just wanted to see what finally brought Dante to his knees."
"Disappointing, isn't it?" I said dryly.
He hummed. "No. Terrifyingly impressive."
Then he gestured toward Dante's office. "Come on. I want to see his face when he realizes you didn't come alone."
As he walked ahead, he glanced back and added, almost teasingly, "You know… if things don't work out with my cousin, I do enjoy stealing what he thinks he owns."
I smiled wickedly as I followed him.
"Careful, Lucien," I said softly. "I bite harder than Dante."
He grinned and I followed him toward Dante's office. The door opened, and just like that, the performance began.
Dante looked up from his desk, expression shifting instantly. His arm wrapped around my waist with unsettling ease.
"I missed you," I said lightly, going to hug him and he returned it. For some reason, he felt warm.
Lucien laughed. "I never thought I'd live to see the day Dante Vaughn fell in love."
Dante didn't even blink. "Neither did I."
Lucien's gaze sharpened. "So how did you meet?"
I hesitated. Just a fraction.
Dante filled the silence smoothly. "Don't pretend, Lucien."
I looked at him, startled.
"Anyways, we're in love now," he added, eyes warm, voice sincere enough to be dangerous.
Lucien watched us for a moment longer, then smiled like he'd just witnessed something sacred. When he finally left, the air shifted.
I stepped away immediately.
"That was disturbingly convincing," I said. "What did you mean by him pretending?"
"He was with me two years ago," Dante replied calmly. "He knows you weren't my real wife then."
I crossed my arms and hissed. "I didn't come here for that."
He sat back on his chair. "Then why are you here?"
I handed him the invitation.
"The Vale twins' birthday party," I said. "They want the future Mrs Vaughn in attendance."
His brow furrowed. "The Vale family is low-ranked. Why bother?"
I met his gaze steadily. "Because I want to come out."
He frowned. "Come out?"
"Calista's perfect advice." I grinned and he studied me, then shook his head.
"Whatever you're planning may backfire." He says sliding the invitation back to me.
"Not when I start from the bottom-feeders," I said simply.
~ ~
We left the mansion together for the first time like it meant something.
Ophelia Vaughn, the headlines would say. Smiling. Perfect. Untouchable.
I wore black silk that clung where it should and flowed where it mattered, my black hair swept and flowed back, my spine straight.
Sebastian had barely finished adjusting my wrap when Dante walked into the car. I caught it immediately. The way his jaw tightened. The way his eyes lingered a second too long on Sebastian's hand.
"That's enough," Dante said coolly. "You're dismissed."
Sebastian blinked. "Sir?"
"I can take care of my wife."
Vesper opened his mouth to protest and was dismissed just as quickly. The car door shut behind them, sealing us inside a silence that felt heavier than the city traffic outside.
I turned to Dante slowly and saw the moment he saw me, something in him paused. Not the polished CEO. Not the man who rehearsed every move. Just him. His eyes moved over me slowly, like he was recalculating an equation he thought he'd already solved.
For a second, he looked like he forgot to breathe.
He recovered quickly, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box, as if this had always been the plan. When he opened it, the diamond caught the light and fractured it, sharp and blinding.
"To look the part," he said quietly, slipping it onto my finger.
The weight of it was obscene. Heavy. Cold. Real.
Our eyes met, and for the briefest moment, the performance slipped.
"You're being strange." I say quietly.
He looked away. "I'm playing the part."
"By glaring at your own people?"
"By looking like a man who doesn't like others touching what's his."
I studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Careful. You're overacting."
The corner of his mouth twitched and his eyes flickered to where I was fiddling with the new ring. "So are you."
~ ~
We arrived late on purpose.
The Vale twins' birthday party was already in full bloom, champagne flowing, laughter polished and hollow. The moment we stepped inside, the room shifted. Conversations thinned. Heads turned. Whispers bloomed like bruises.
I lifted my chin.
"Mr. Vaughn," the announcer said, voice ringing clear, "and his fiancée."
Dante opened his mouth, ready to do what he always did. Introduce and control the narrative.
But I spoke first.
"My name," I said calmly, my voice carrying without effort, "is Ophelia Moretti."
The room stilled.
I turned slightly, my gaze locking onto familiar faces across the crowd. Liora. Isla. Collins. Frozen and pale. My smile turned wicked.
"Soon-to-be Ophelia Vaughn," I continued, leaning sweetly into Dante's arm. "Formerly known as Ophelia Vale."