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My face flushed, I smiled harder. If anyone looked closely, they might have noticed I was slowly dying inside.
"This is such an eye-catching match," Lydia remarked.
"Indeed," Richard agreed. "Alex has always been such a gentle boy."
I nearly choked...gentle? That’s rich. I once threw a shoe at Blair’s head. It missed, but then murderous intention was there.
"He’s always been very calm," Richard continued.
I shot him a look. You locked me in a room for a week just because I told you to stop gambling.
"Quiet," Lydia added.
I smiled. "Very."
Blair shifted in her chair. She had been quiet throughout this whole exchange, but her eyes kept drifting toward the open boxes...especially the jewelry and cash.
It was getting harder for her to hide her expression. Finally, she smiled, the kind of smile that made me check if someone had slipped poison into my drink.
"This all happened very quickly," she said.
Lorenzo glanced her way. "It did."
"I mean, you just met Alex recently."
"Correct."
"And yet you’re already so certain he’s the one for you?"
"I am."
Blair’s smile tightened. "How... unexpected."
I recognized that tone, I had dealt with that tone my whole life. I took a sip of water.
She was on to us...the damn witch.
Blair’s eyes turned to me. "You must have done something very special to him in private somehow to make him change his mind about you so quickly."
I almost spit out my drink.
What was she insinuating? That I did something sexual to Lorenzo to seduce him into marriage?!
Lydia’s eyes widened, Richard’s expression darkened as I looked at Blair. She smiled sweetly and I returned it.
Oh, she wanted to play? Fine.
"I guess I’m just naturally charming with a good personality."
Her smile flickered. "Apparently."
"And not everyone have those qualities. Don’t you think, little sis?"
That one hit home, her eyes narrowed.
Richard suddenly leaned in. "Enough."
Blair blinked. "But, Father—"
He lowered his voice. "Why are you saying these things when you were the one who refused Mr. Castelli?"
She froze. "I—"
"You said you would never marry him."
"I...I was scared."
"And now that you see his money, you’re suddenly interested?"
Her face went pale. "That’s not what I—"
"Fix your face."
His words were quiet but sharp, enough that even I heard them. Blair stared at him, looking genuinely shocked.
Then her gaze met mine. I couldn’t help it...I smiled, just a small, smug curve of my lips.
Oh, this was delicious.
Never in my life had my father taken my side over hers, although I knew this change was motivated by money. I couldn’t help but feel like I may have accended to an alternative reality...a perfect world in my opinion.
Her face twisted in anger. She stood up abruptly. "I’m leaving."
"Blair," Lydia warned.
But she was already heading for the door, she paused briefly beside me and leaned towards my ear.
Her voice dropped. "Enjoy it while it lasts."
I smiled sweetly. "Oh, I intend to."
She glared before storming out. The door slammed behind her. Silence filled the room.
Lorenzo watched the door for several seconds without saying a word. But I noticed how his eyes narrowed. He had caught that too, of course.
The formal discussions continued for about an hour. Wedding venues were tossed around, guest lists mentioned, dates proposed, Richard wanted something extravagant something that would make the news and headlines, while Lydia preferred something elegant.
Apparently, the difference between the two was a few million dollars. I mostly sat there, wondering if anyone thought to ask the actual groom having the wedding.
Like, you know...me.
Eventually, Lorenzo stood up. "I have something to discuss with Alex."
Richard immediately nodded. "Of course, you must speak to your fiancé."
I followed Lorenzo into the hallway. As soon as we were out of sight, the affectionate smile vanished, and his expression turned cool and unreadable.
I sighed. "Thank God."
"For what?"
"That my face can finally stop smiling."
"You were convincing."
"So were you."
"I know."
I rolled my eyes.
He stepped closer, and my body instantly became aware of how close we were, it felt annoying so I stepped back.
"The agreement stays the same," he said quietly.
I nodded.
He paused. "Until then, we play our roles. No feelings are involved, Alex. You must remember that despite the things I will do during the act."
Oh, so although the travel book and the mountains of gifts were a sweet gesture. It all meant absolutely nothing to him.
Wow...
He really was detached from the whole thing.
I looked at him. "And after?"
"You leave."
Hearing him say that made my chest tighten unexpectedly, but I brushed it off. "Good."
His gaze lingered on my face. "Don’t get careless, Alex."
"About what?"
"About the performance."
I smiled. "Don’t worry. I’m great at pretending."
"I’ve noticed."
Footsteps echoed from the sitting room. Lorenzo’s expression shifted instantly. His eyes softened, and his mouth formed that charming smile again as he stepped toward me.
I almost rolled my eyes, but instead, I smiled back...he reached for my hand. "Tesoro mio."
I nearly laughed.
As Richard appeared at the end of the hallway, Lorenzo lifted my hand to his lips. "Are you ready to discuss more of our wedding plans?"
I smiled brightly. "Of course."
Inside, I was screaming.
By the time Lorenzo left, the house was in total disarray. Richard was discussing wedding expenses, Lydia was talking about invitations, and servants were busy moving gifts into secure rooms.
Someone was even discussing flower arrangements. It seemed like my wedding had become a community project.
The date was set for three weeks later. Three weeks. I stared at the calendar, realizing that was not nearly enough time to escape. Hardly enough time for a proper exit. Yet everyone else appeared thrilled about it.
Richard put a hand on my shoulder, and I subtly stepped away once more...like quit touching me, man!
He frowned, and I pretended not to notice.
Later that evening, I finally made it back to my bedroom. The house was still buzzing below. I closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, then looked over at the desk.
The travel book Lorenzo had given me sat next to the calendar. I walked over and picked it up. The cover felt worn under my fingertips. I opened it to a page showing Paris, then Rome, and then Venice—places I had dreamed of visiting since childhood, places I had always pictured seeing once I gained my freedom.
Then I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the calendar. Temporary....that’s what I had to remember, temporary. I only had to survive until Frederick Castelli died.
Only had to pretend to love Lorenzo, be a perfect omega. Just had to avoid getting killed by his enemies, not offend his family, survive my own family, and resist the inconvenient fact that my fake husband was ridiculously attractive.
Easy, absolutely nothing could possibly go wrong!
Then, because my brain had developed a dangerous obsession with his voice, I heard Lorenzo’s words echo again.
Tesoro mio, my omega.
Oh shit!!!!
"Oh, Lord." I looked up at the ceiling as I prayed with all of my soul. "Please don’t let me actually fall in love with him."
The ceiling, being a ceiling, had nothing helpful to offer. Probably for the best, because at that moment, I wasn’t sure I could handle the answer.
"Please strike me down before I do!"