---
Noah's POV:
It was six in the evening, and I'd been standing in front of the damn mountain of clothes for what felt like hours.
Alessio's walk-in closet was big enough to live in, and still, I had nothing to wear.
Scratch that. I had too much to wear.
Everything he bought me since the wedding was here. I mean I know it's just first day of our so called marriage but—rows of designer shirts, perfectly tailored trousers, soft sweaters, expensive cologne, watches I didn't dare touch. Brands I'd only seen in fashion magazines were now mine, with the tags still on.
It felt overwhelming. Like being swallowed by a life I never asked for.
But tonight, I had to choose. Alessio told me to be on my best behavior. We were going to meet his parents.
His parents.
God.
What's with this feeling.
I am literally shaking.
I ran a hand through my damp curls, pacing in the room as I stared at the chaos I'd created. Shirts were hanging from the back of chairs. Ties were draped over the dresser. Jackets were flung across the bed like fashion roadkill.
What am I even trying to be?
Do I dress sexy? Let them know I'm not some weak little omega who got forced into this?
They shouldn't think that I am just a nobody.
Do I go innocent? Sweet and quiet like the perfect doll?
But they said first impression is the last impression, If I go dressed too innocent then they will just crush me in their feet's thinking I am just a scardy cat. Obviously that's what rich people do____Right?
Or maybe casual? So I don't look like I'm trying too hard?
My stomach twisted. I didn't know why I cared this much. It wasn't like this marriage was real. Not in the way it should be. There was no love here. No warmth. Just strategy. A contract made under pressure. Blackmail wrapped in silk.
And yet…
I wanted to look good.
I wanted to stand beside Alessio and not feel like some stray dog he picked up out of pity. I didn't want his parents to look at me and see a mess. I wantedthem to look at me and wonder how Alessio got so lucky.
Stupid. You're here to ruin him, remember?
I bit down on my lower lip, staring hard at a soft cream shirt and a navy vest combo. It was nice. Sophisticated. But was it me?
I didn't know what me looked like anymore.
The Noah who danced in clubs for cash and clung to survival wouldn't be caught dead in something like this. But the Noah who wore Alessio's ring? The one who slept in his bed, even if it was just for a night?
That Noah was starting to get blurry.
"Fuck this," I muttered.
And before I could overthink it any more, I grabbed one outfit in each hand—a pair of slate-grey pants and a silky white shirt—and headed out the door.
My feet took me straight to Alessio's study before my brain caught up. He was probably working. Probably busy. But I couldn't do this alone.
I needed him to see me. To tell me how to present myself to the people who made him.
I stopped at the doorway, hesitating when I heard voices. Was he in a meeting?
Too late now.
I stepped inside.
And there he was—sitting behind his desk, glasses on, sleeves rolled up, voice low and smooth as he spoke into some high-end conference setup.
His eyes were on the screen. Focused. Sharp.
But mine were on him.
He looked dangerous. Beautiful. Untouchable.
I felt like a complete idiot standing there holding clothes like a kid asking for permission.
But I did it anyway.
I stepped forward, just enough for him to notice.
He turned slowly, eyes finally meeting mine.
"I… I don't know what to wear," I said quietly, holding up the options like a confused mannequin. "Tell me what looks good."
Because even if this marriage was a lie, even if I hated him some days, I still wanted him to see me and not look away.
Just this once.
---
End Of Chapter 28:
"In a closet full of choices, all he wanted was to be seen—by the one man who made him feel invisible and important all at once."