I didn't belong here.
That was the first thought that hit me as I stared at my reflection for what felt like the hundredth time.
The dress was… unreal.
Deep black.
Silk.
It clung to my body like it was made for me.
Maybe it was.
Because everything in this house seemed to already know who I was supposed to become.
Even if I didn't.
"Stand still."
Clara's voice was calm as she adjusted the strap on my shoulder.
Her movements were precise.
Efficient.
Like she had done this a thousand times before.
"For women who actually belong here," I muttered under my breath.
She paused.
Just slightly.
Then continued like she hadn't heard me.
"Mr. Blackwood doesn't tolerate mistakes."
Of course he didn't.
That word again.
Mistakes.
I was starting to feel like one.
"You'll walk beside him," she continued.
"Not ahead. Not behind."
"Beside."
Like an equal.
But we both knew that wasn't true.
"You'll speak when spoken to."
"That's easy," I said dryly. "People like him don't usually ask people like me anything."
This time—
She looked at me.
Really looked.
And for a brief second—
There was something in her eyes.
Not judgment.
Not exactly.
Something closer to… understanding.
"Tonight," she said quietly, "they will."
My stomach dropped.
The car ride was silent.
Again.
But this time—
It felt different.
He wasn't ignoring me.
He was… observing.
I could feel it.
Every second.
Every breath.
Every small movement.
Like he was studying how I handled pressure.
Like I was already being tested.
"Don't embarrass me."
The words came out of nowhere.
Cold.
Sharp.
Expected.
I swallowed.
"I won't."
"You don't sound convincing."
My fingers tightened in my lap.
"What do you want me to say?"
"The truth."
I hesitated.
Then—
"I'm nervous."
Silence.
Then—
"Good."
I blinked.
"That means you'll be careful."
The car stopped.
And just like that—
My world changed again.
Flashes of light hit instantly.
Cameras.
Voices.
People.
So many people.
I froze.
This wasn't just an event.
It was a stage.
And I had just been thrown into it.
"Adrian! Over here!"
"Mr. Blackwood!"
"Is that your wife?"
The word hit differently this time.
Wife.
Not contract.
Not deal.
Not temporary.
Wife.
His hand closed around mine.
Firm.
Warm.
Unexpected.
My breath caught.
Because this—
This wasn't part of the contract.
Or maybe it was.
And I just didn't realize it yet.
"Walk," he said quietly.
And I did.
Because when he moved—
The world followed.
Eyes turned.
Whispers started.
Judgment.
Curiosity.
Shock.
I felt all of it.
Like a spotlight burning into my skin.
"She's new."
"Where did he find her?"
"She's not his type."
Every word landed.
Every whisper cut.
But I kept walking.
Because stopping—
Would mean breaking.
We entered the hall.
And suddenly—
Everything went quiet.
Not completely.
But enough.
Enough for people to notice.
Enough for people to stare.
Enough for people to know—
I didn't belong.
"Adrian."
A woman's voice.
Smooth.
Confident.
Dangerous.
I turned.
And instantly knew—
She was trouble.
Tall.
Elegant.
Beautiful in a way that didn't need effort.
The kind of woman who had never doubted her place in the world.
Unlike me.
Her eyes landed on me.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like she was assessing damage.
Or deciding if I was worth her time.
"I see the rumors are true," she said, her lips curving slightly.
"Rumors spread fast," Adrian replied calmly.
"But not always accurately."
Her smile tightened.
Interesting.
"And who is this?" she asked, even though she already knew.
Of course she knew.
People like her always knew.
"Elena," Adrian said.
Nothing more.
No explanation.
No introduction.
Just—
My name.
She stepped closer.
Too close.
Her gaze locked onto mine.
Sharp.
Measuring.
"Be careful," she said softly.
My heart skipped.
"Of what?" I asked before I could stop myself.
Her smile widened.
"Him."
The word lingered.
Heavy.
Loaded.
Real.
"She talks too much," Adrian said flatly.
The woman laughed.
"Oh, Adrian… you always say that right before things get interesting."
Then she turned and walked away.
Like she had already won something.
Even though I didn't know what game we were playing.
"Who was that?" I asked.
"Mistake," he replied.
That was it.
Nothing more.
But something about the way he said it—
Made my chest tighten.
The night blurred after that.
People.
Faces.
Names I couldn't remember.
Conversations I barely followed.
All while feeling—
Watched.
Judged.
Measured.
"You're doing fine."
I blinked.
Looking at him.
"Am I?"
"Yes."
Simple.
Direct.
Unexpected.
Because coming from him—
It felt like something more.
Something rare.
"Why did you choose me?" I asked quietly.
The question had been sitting in my chest all night.
Burning.
Waiting.
He didn't answer right away.
Just looked at me.
Like he was deciding something.
"Because you don't pretend."
My breath caught.
"What?"
"You don't belong here," he said.
Not cruel.
Not mocking.
Just—
True.
"And that makes you useful."
Of course it did.
Everything always came back to that.
Use.
Control.
Purpose.
"But that won't last," he added.
My chest tightened.
"What does that mean?"
His gaze darkened slightly.
"It means… they'll try to break you."
A pause.
Then—
"They always do."
"Who?" I whispered.
His answer was simple.
"Everyone."
Before I could respond—
A voice cut through the room.
"Dance with me."
I turned.
The same woman.
Watching.
Smiling.
Waiting.
But she wasn't looking at me.
She was looking at him.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"No."
Her smile faltered.
Just slightly.
"I wasn't asking," she said.
"And I wasn't accepting."
Silence fell between them.
Tension.
Sharp.
Unspoken.
Then—
Her eyes shifted to me.
And suddenly—
I understood.
This wasn't about him.
This was about me.
"You replaced me quickly," she said.
My heart dropped.
Replaced?
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"You were never in a position to be replaced."
Cold.
Final.
Brutal.
But the damage was already done.
Because now—
Everyone was watching.
Her gaze burned into me.
"And you," she said softly…
"How long do you think you'll last?"
The question hung in the air.
Heavy.
Unanswered.
Dangerous.
I should've stayed quiet.
I should've looked away.
I should've played the role.
But instead—
I smiled.
Small.
Calm.
Steady.
"Long enough," I said…
"To make it count."
Silence.
Then whispers.
Then—
Something shifted.
Because for the first time that night—
They weren't just looking at me like I didn't belong.
They were looking at me like I might be a problem.
Adrian's grip on my hand tightened slightly.
Not controlling.
Not forcing.
Just—
There.
And when I looked at him—
For the first time—
He didn't look cold.
He looked… impressed.
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