Fake vows, forbidden hearts.

Chapter five

The Sterling Gala dripped money.

Crystal chandeliers bled light onto marble floors, and every woman in this ballroom wore a dress that cost more than my rent used to. String quartet in the corner. Waiters with champagne that tasted like sin and secrets. This was old money heaven, and I was the fraud in a borrowed five-thousand-dollar gown.

Correction: contracted fraud.

My arm was looped through Felix’s like it belonged there. Fake husband. Real boss. Currently acting like I was his favorite acquisition.

“Smile, Jane,” Felix murmured, lips barely moving. His voice was ice wrapped in velvet. “The board members from Shanghai are watching.”

I plastered on the smile we’d rehearsed. “Yes, darling.”

God, I hated calling him that.

“Stand straighter,” he murmured, not even looking at me. I sighed, but I obeyed.

Felix Blackwood in a tux should be illegal. Black on black, cut so sharp it could draw blood. His jaw was a threat, his cufflinks real diamonds, and his blue eyes scanned the room like he owned every soul in it. Which, technically, he did. Including mine, for the next one year, eleven months, three weeks, and five days.

The thing about Felix at these events? He’s actually terrible at them.

He’s fine with business talk. Stocks, mergers, whatever. He’ll shake hands and do that polite CEO nod for hours. But small talk? Jokes? Asking how someone’s kids are? Nope.

He parked me by a pillar with a glass of champagne and basically forgot I existed. I watched him for twenty minutes. He wasn’t even being rude; he just… switched off. Like I wasn’t there. Like he wasn’t there. Just Felix Blackwooon autopilot.

It sucked more than I expected.

Then this guy, Mark, I think, from the tech firm, came over.

“You’re Felix’s wife, right? I’m Mark.” He had a nice smile. Harmless. “You look bored out of your mind. Want to escape to the bar?”

I was about to say yes. God, I was about to say yes.

“Jane.”

Felix’s voice behind me. I didn’t even hear him walk up.

He wasn’t touching me. Wasn’t glaring. But his whole body changed. Jaw tight. Shoulders squared. Like someone flipped a switch from ‘sleep mode’ to ‘pissed off.’

“She’s with me,” he said to Mark. Not loud. Not mean. Just… final.

Mark blinked. “Oh. Sorry, man. Didn’t realize—”

“It’s fine,” Felix cut in. Then he looked at me. Really looked. And for a second he wasn’t my boss or my fake husband. He just looked tired. And mad. Mostly at himself, I think.

He didn’t touch me. Didn’t stake a claim. He just stood there until Mark mumbled something and left.

Then Felix ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “You good?”

That was it. No explanation. No apology for ignoring me all night. No ‘don’t talk to other men’ speech.

Just “You good?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

He nodded back, once. “Good.” And went back to ignoring me.

Except this time, he stayed within three feet. The whole rest of the night.

Except this time, he stayed within three feet. The whole rest of the night.

But while I danced to the music, Damian cornered me by the dessert table. No one else close enough to hear.

“Has anyone told you that you look incredibly sexy tonight? I bet my brother didn't.” He said, biting his bottom lip.

“Are you in some sort of competition with your brother?”

“I don't need to be. But to win your heart? f**k yeah.”

“I don't know what to say to you.” I sighed.

“Well then, look into my eyes and tell me you regret ever coming into my room.”

“Cmon, you know your eyes are gorgeous. I would definitely flinch.” I admitted shamelessly, and he smiled.

“Go to the galas with Felix, then go to the bedroom with me, huh?”

“That's absurd. Why are you so full of lust?”

“Stop playing innocent, Jane.” His voice was low, rough. Not flirting. Wanting. “You remember my room, last night, the tension. I didn't touch you and I would not unless you consent to it. Until then I just want to watch.”

Heat flooded my face. I did remember. Too well. The dark. His large and hard d**k. His voice controlling me on what to do — God, his voice. It's almost like I'm back there again.

“That was a mistake,” I whispered. My voice shook.

Damian stepped closer. Not touching me, but close enough I felt it. “Was it? Because you begged me to f**k you. You cried when I didn’t.”

My fingers tightened around my clutch. “I’m married.”

“Fake married.” His eyes dropped to my lips. “To my brother. Who’s ignored you all night.”

He wasn’t wrong. And that made it worse.

“Come to my place after the gala,” Damian said. Not a question. “We continue what we started. No one has to know.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. I should agree, but no, I'm not as cheap as Felix thought.

“Go get yourself a girlfriend, Damian,” I concluded and tried walking out, but Damian held me back.

“Jane.” Felix’s voice cut through the ballroom. Sharp. Close.

I flinched. Damian didn’t move back.

Felix was there, eyes on Damian, then on me. On my flushed cheeks. On the way I couldn’t breathe right.

He didn’t touch me. Didn’t speak. He just held out his hand. Waiting.

Damian leaned in, his lips by my ear. “Your choice, Jane. Him… or me. Tonight.”

I looked at Felix’s outstretched hand. Then at Damian’s mouth.

“You got yourself a lovely wife, brother.” Damian complimented.

“Just shut up and let go of her,” Felix replied coldly.

Damian obeyed and let go of my arm. Then I walked closer to meet Felix.

“You are going to tell me everything he said to you,” Felix demanded, and my heart skipped.