"Don't worry. I'll play the role of the perfect wife," I'd told him.
Now, standing in front of the mirror, I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince, Axel or me.
Behind me, the stylists made last adjustments while Axel leaned casually against the doorway. His tie was loose around his collar, his jacket draped over one arm. He hadn't said a word since he'd walked in, but I could feel his eyes on me.
The silk dress hugged me in all the right places, dark emerald, and with a slit that climbed higher than was safe. My hair was pinned in soft waves; my makeup was subtle but enough. I looked the part of the polished, enviable wife.
Every time I adjusted an earring or smoothed my dress, I sensed Axel's gaze burning into me from across the room.
But whenever I turned my head, he was suddenly busy straightening his cufflinks or scrolling through his phone like he hadn't been staring at all.
Finally, I broke the silence. "If you're going to glare at me all night, at least admit it to my face."
His head lifted, staring at me with a stoic expression. "Just making sure you're ready." His mouth quirked faintly. "You look acceptable."
I snorted. "Acceptable. That's the best you've got?"
"You don't need me to tell you you're beautiful," he replied smoothly, straightening his tie now. "You already know."
I rolled my eyes, but my pulse betrayed me, quickening at the sound of his low voice.
"Ready to stand there and smile?" I asked, arching a brow.
"Ready not to embarrass me," he countered smoothly, sliding his phone into his pocket.
I bit down on my retort, grabbed my clutch, and walked past him. He didn't move until I reached the door, and then his hand brushed my lower back, just enough to look intimate. I hated the way I shivered under his touch. However, I'd blame it on the cold.
We rode in silence, and by the time we arrived, the grand hotel ballroom was already glittering with gowns, tuxedos, and champagne flutes.
Axel calmly handed his car keys to the valet and led me inside without any fuss. People turned, their eyes following us as we walked the red carpet. He leaned down just enough to murmur, "Smile."
I did.
The chandeliers inside lit up the room with a warm, golden glow. It was filled with soft laughter and the sound of glasses clinking together.
Axel introduced me to various investors, board members, and other important people whose last names I had no choice but to remember. Every handshake was firm, and I tried to make sure my smile was genuine or looked so.
"She's stunning," one woman said, her jewels catching the light. "You two make such a striking couple."
"Don't we?" Axel replied smoothly, his hand tightening on my waist.
"Yes," another woman added with a smile that was just a shade too admiring. "Such a handsome couple."
I laughed politely, my inner voice dripping with irony. "If only you knew."
The longer the night went on, the easier it became to push down the nerves and play my role. I even managed to weave through conversations of my own, discussing market shifts, and pretending I belonged.
But then, I heard that sweet, high-pitched voice filled with venom that I knew all too well.
"Layla?"
Talk about a nightmare.
I turned, and there she was. Cassandra.
My sister stood in a pale lavender gown, one hand resting dramatically on her small but visible bump. Her smile was wide, sugary, and false.
"Well, well," she drawled, stepping closer. "I was hoping I'd run into you."
I muttered under my breath. 'Of course you were.'
"Cass," I said evenly. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Daniel insisted," she purred, rubbing her belly like it was a prized jewel. "He didn't want me overexerting myself, but I said, 'No, I have to go support him.'"
I pasted on a polite smile, playing along. "Aww, that's surprisingly very nice of you."
Cass's eyes sparkled with that practised innocence that always masked poison. "And you? How's married life treating you? Axel seems like such a dream."
Before I could answer, she tilted her head and added sweetly, "Daniel has been absolutely spoiling me. Foot rubs, cravings at three a.m, you name it. I guess that's what happens when you're carrying a man's child."
Her hand patted her stomach pointedly.
I forced my lips into a false smile. "Well, he ought to. You are carrying his child, after all."
She beamed, patting her stomach. "Exactly. And speaking of that…" She leaned in conspiratorially. "Would you be a good sister, and plan my baby shower? Maybe even help pick a name?"
My patience cracked. Was she kidding me right now?
I glanced around, searching desperately for Axel or any excuse to escape before I actually whacked my pregnant sister in the face right now.
"Actually, I should…"
But Cassandra's hand caught my arm, her nails digging into my skin.
"Come on, Layla," she said, lowering her voice. "Don't walk away just yet." Our gaze met, and suddenly her pretense slipped.
"You really are unbelievable," she hissed through gritted teeth. "Marrying someone else the minute Daniel and I got together? Everyone sees you for what you are… a whore."
My blood boiled. "You have some nerve, Cassandra. You betrayed me, your own sister. You're carrying my ex-fiancé's child, and you're here, calling me names?"
But she smirked. "Don't think I buy this act of the charity-wife, and the perfect smile. It won't last. I know the truth about your marriage, and sooner or later, everyone else will too."
My pulse hammered. "You've lost your mind."
"Oh, haven't I?" she hissed. "You think you're untouchable now, but you're not. You never were."
I leaned closer. "You're just angry because you can't play your sick little games with me anymore. That's why you're so fixated. You're pathetic, Cass."
Her eyes were ablaze, her feathers clearly ruffled. She looked over at the table with the wine glasses, and before I could stop her, she grabbed one."You—"
She tipped it, aiming straight for me.
But I saw it coming and quickly stepped aside.
Her heel slipped against the smooth floor, and in an instant she went down, the wine splashing across her lavender gown as her knees hit the ground.The glass broke, and she screamed loud enough to stop the music.
Heads turned, and people gasped as they quickly jumped to conclusions. Not that I planned them. Cass had planned the scene perfectly.
"She pushed me!" Cassandra shrieked, pointing a trembling finger up at me as if I were the villain of her staged tragedy. "She pushed me!"