"W-what… what was that?"
I stuttered, forcing my hands to my sides for fear that I might slap him.
Why did he do that? And why did it feel oddly… good?
He wiped the lip gloss from his lips with his thumb. "We're in public. The earlier you get used to things like this, the better."
My face knotted into a frown. "With all due respect, Mr. Romano, there is no one here. A warning would be nice next time as I do not accept advances like that."
A black Bentley pulled up in front of us. He opened the door and gestured for me to get in.
From the corner of my eye, I saw his lips twitch a little.
"Damien," he corrected once the car started moving. "No need for formalities."
I did not reply. Maybe because I could still taste him on my tongue.
"Marine Street, then my penthouse," he said to the driver before the partition went up and the engine roared to life.
Of course he knew my address.
"The reception is tomorrow evening. I will send a team to pack your things and set you up."
My jaw fell open. "Tomorrow?"
"Any problem?"
He shot me a chilling glare.
That was too soon. I had not even properly sulked about this.
I threw my head back against the headrest, breath caught in my throat. He continued talking, but I was not paying attention.
I was going to be married to Damien Romano by this time tomorrow.
*******************************
The next day, Damien's moving team took my things to his house, while Elise, his assistant, took me to be styled for the reception.
I stood outside the event hall staring at my phone, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Bachelor billionaire Damien Romano, also known as The Breaker of Men, caught in a passionate kiss with a mystery woman last night…"
That fast?!
"Aria, I wish I could console you, but there is no time for you to panic," Elise said, almost apologetically. "For your own sake, put the phone down."
I released a shaky breath and put my phone away. Something in her tone told me it was going to get worse.
"Mr. Romano will be here shortly. Please wait for him."
She hurried into the hall without waiting for my response. Even she seemed anxious.
My stomach churned as the muffled voices of the guests inside filled my ears.
This was my life now. Dressing up for a stranger. Playing wife for a debt I never created. Being Mrs. Romano, even temporarily, settled heavily in my chest.
Then I heard it.
The sharp click of heels. Voices.
"I still cannot believe it," a woman scoffed. "Damien Romano married. And to some nobody."
"I thought it would be Anita," another said. "They were endgame. That fire? Unmatched."
I froze, my grip tightening on my dress as I shrank closer to the hedges.
"No one will ever compare to her," the first continued. "Pure class. Grace. Beauty. Damien will never find another like Anita."
They disappeared into the hall, laughter trailing behind them.
I stared down at myself, suddenly feeling like a joke. I did not belong here. I did not know their rules, their world, any of it. What was I thinking accepting this?
I blinked hard, pressing a hand to my chest.
Oh God.
"It is too late to reconsider."
I spun around.
Damien stood behind me, immaculate in a midnight blue suit. Effortless. Untouchable.
"I was not reconsidering," I muttered. "They seem to think I am not worthy of your name."
"You are not," he replied flatly.
Encouragement was clearly too much to ask for.
"Stop letting gossip distract you," he said. "Smile."
"That is easy for you," I snapped. "You are not the one being compared to your legendary ex or turned into a spectacle. Mind your business."
His eyes hardened. He stepped closer, pulling something from his pocket as he caught my wrist.
I tried to step back but felt something slide perfectly onto my finger. A sapphire ring.
"Every move you make is my business now," he said quietly. "Wipe your tears. We are going in."
I took the napkin he offered, my heart racing.
Moments later, my arm looped through his as the doors opened.
Every head turned. Whispers rippled through the room as we walked toward the stage. I smiled until my cheeks hurt, my body trembling beneath the silk.
"Compose yourself," Damien murmured. "Even a blind man can see you are terrified."
I forced a breath and faced the crowd.
The night unfolded smoothly. Speeches. Toasts. Dinner.
Then…
THUD!
The doors burst open.
A woman stood there in a fitted burgundy mermaid gown, stunning enough to steal the breath from the room. Murmurs erupted instantly.
"That is her."
"She came?"
"Of course she did."
Damien's jaw tightened in irritation.
She did not walk. She floated. Chin high, confidence blazing, claiming every inch of space as she moved toward us.
My stomach twisted.
When she reached the foot of the platform, the room fell silent.
Then I truly looked at her.
My breath caught, and her smirk faltered. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second as our gazes locked.
Cold flooded my veins.
No.
No, no, no. NO!
My hands clenched the chair as it all slammed into me, stealing the air from my lungs.
Damien's legendary ex… Anita,
was my older sister.
Anita?!