Chapter 4
Selena's POV
I had called Riley to help me pick a dress, but nothing seemed to fit. So I borrowed her emerald-green gown—it hugged me as though it had been stitched for me.
Just as I was about to step out, Ethan came running. I hadn't thought he'd make it.
"Don't enjoy yourself too much on your date," he teased.
I smiled instantly. I knew that voice anywhere. Ethan. My best friend running with his tousled curls, warm hazel eyes and his calm smile.
He got a white bag to fit my heels, and when I hugged him, I realized how long it had been since I'd seen him.
He knelt, fastening my shoes carefully.
"Don't let him do anything out of your boundaries, okay? And if he so much as makes you uncomfortable…" His fingers brushed lightly against my hair, tucking it behind my ear. "Call me. Yes?"
"Yes, sir."
Ethan was like the elder brother I never had. It was my first dinner with my fake in-laws, so I let him have the moment.
"Selena!"
The voice snapped through the night. I froze.
Jayden Ashford.
He strode toward me, eyes burning, and caught my hand softly, yet with a grip that demanded no refusal.
His tone shifted, low and deliberate.
"We're late. We should get going."
He looked at Ethan once, sharp and cold.
Then, with a subtle lift of his brow, he dismissed him entirely.
He wore a dark suit with a subtle shimmer that caught the light, sharp and clean against his frame.Like it wasn't just a dinner with his parents?
The spoilt, manipulative Jayden Ashford was undeniably good-looking and I had to steady myself as he helped me into the car, his hand brushing mine in a way that made my pulse skip.
Jayden's POV.
She stepped into the car and I immediately snapped.
"Have you signed the contract?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Did you read through it carefully though?"
"Yes."She replied.
"Then you saw the clause that says you shouldn't be seen around with any man for a while."
"I did."
"Who was that man anyway?"
"Just a friend."
"That hugs you in public like that?"
"Look, Jayden, I don't really care what goes on in your head, but he's just my best friend."
I leaned back, tightening my jaw. "Do you have any relationship with any other man I should be worried about?"
"No," she snapped back.
I exhaled in relief, though I didn't show it.
"Good. Because the repercussion of the media catching sight of that would've been a mess."
"I'll be more careful. But he's nothing to worry about."
She handed the folder to me and the drive continued in silence.
Selena's POV
We arrived at Seri's Apparels.
The number one clothing store in the United Kingdom. I never imagined I'd ever step foot here.
I glanced at Jayden. "What are we doing here?"
He hesitated, then answered, "To… get you dressed.I mean… not that you don't look good already, but we need to make you more Ashford-lady style."
For the first time, he tried not to sound mean with a statement. I had just finished getting dressed, but tonight clearly mattered to him. He wanted everything to go exactly as planned.
He called over a woman—Seri. The actual Seri from South Korea., the owner and founder of Seri's Apparels. She smiled, took my hand, and led me inside.
I tried to hide my squeal. The store was incredible. Everything was marble-tiled, sparkling, and absurdly expensive.
I froze when I saw a pair of heels. Short, my exact style,beautiful… and eight million dollars.
I immediately dropped the heels, and followed Seri as she guided me deeper into the store.
Jayden's Pov
She walked out majestically.
Her dress was a black sequin body-hugging dress to match my custom made suit. It clung to curves I hadn't expected. Seri had outdone herself. Her hair was styled just so, soft tendrils framing her face perfectly.
She was… perfect.
I noticed she was struggling in the heels she walked in. One glance told me they weren't going to survive the night. I handed her the pair she had been staring at earlier.
And got on my knees to help her with it.
Her eyes widened as she flustered.
I stepped closer, offering my arm, and she allowed it. Together, we made our way to the car. The city lights bounced off her dress, off her eyes, and I couldn't tear my gaze away.
Selena's POV
By the time we reached outside, a new car pulled up as Mr. Vale left.
It wasn't just any luxury vehicle, it was a concept Lamborghini, sleek black, one of fewer than five rumored in the country.
Jayden drove, and I stayed silent.
The driveway curved like the entrance to a private palace. Two minimalist bronze lion sculptures flanked a fountain, spouting water into an arched basin inscribed with the Ashford family motto:
"Dominari. Non Comparari."
(To Rule. Not Compete.)
The iron gates loomed taller than anything I'd ever seen, opening into what looked more like an estate than a home. Workers moved briskly, some in uniforms, others carrying trays, as if the place never slept.
When the mansion appeared, my breath caught. This wasn't a house, it was a museum. Glass walls, marble columns, wings stretching into the night like separate buildings. Every detail screamed wealth and power.
And I couldn't shake the thought: I didn't belong here.
Jayden stopped the car, his voice low and firm.
"Stop looking like that, Selena. Tonight, you're my fiancée. Everything you do,how you speak, how you move,should be like an Ashford first lady."
He helped me out, and the world seemed to wait.
Guests lined the driveway, bowing subtly. A red carpet stretched before us.
I gripped his shoulders and let him guide me,
keeping my steps measured.
This wasn't just a dinner.
Tonight was war.
And I,the supposed Ashford first lady was on the battlefield."