The Wife He Never Wanted

Lila's POV I didn’t want to be here. That was the first thought that crossed my mind as I stepped into the ballroom, adjusting the strap of my dress like it had suddenly become too tight. Everything about the place screamed money. The chandeliers, the soft music floating through the air, the polished floors that reflected heels and tailored suits. Conversations blended into a low hum, punctuated by soft laughter and the occasional clink of glasses. It wasn’t unfamiliar though. I’d grown up around this kind of setting. Events like this were expected. Attended. Survived. Still, tonight felt particularly exhausting. “Fix your face,” Zara muttered beside me, looping her arm through mine as we walked further into the room. “You look like you’re about to fight someone.” “I might,” I said under my breath. “If one more person asks me what I’ve been doing with my life lately.” She snorted. “Please do. I’d actually enjoy that.” I smiled a little despite myself, reaching for a glass from a passing tray. “Where’s your father?” she asked. “Somewhere around,” I said vaguely. “Most likely networking, pretending he didn’t force me to come here.” Zara laughed. “He didn’t force you. He strongly encouraged you.” “Same thing.” We drifted further in, exchanging polite nods with familiar faces. I was halfway through zoning out when I noticed it. A shift. It wasn’t loud but it was obvious. No grand announcement was needed. People were looking toward the entrance. “Wait,” Zara said suddenly, grabbing my arm. “Don’t turn yet.” “Why?” “Because if you turn now, you’ll look desperate.” I blinked at her. “Desperate for what?” She leaned in, lowering her voice like she was about to share something scandalous. “Adrian Cole just walked in.” The name didn’t ring any bells, but the way she said it made me pause. “Okay… and?” Zara slowly turned my head for me. “Now you can look.” I followed her gaze, and for a second, I understood the reaction. He wasn’t trying. That was the thing. He just walked in as if he belonged there, like the room had been waiting for him without realizing it. Tall, about 6'6. He wore a dark suit and he had a wavy hair. He looked so handsome, I wish I could see his eyes from where I stood. People greeted him, but carefully. No one seemed too familiar. “Wow,” Zara whispered. “I forgot how unfairly good-looking he is.” I let out a quiet breath. “That’s what this is about?” “Don’t even start,” she said quickly. “You can’t tell me you don’t see it.” “I see a man in a suit.” She turned to me slowly. “You are such a liar.” I smiled faintly, taking another sip of my drink. “Fine. He’s attractive. Happy?” “Very. But that’s not even the main thing.” She leaned closer again, clearly getting into it now. “That’s Adrian Cole. CEO. Took over his father’s company and somehow made it bigger. People are actually scared of him.” “Scared?” “Mhm.” She nodded. “He’s not friendly. Doesn’t do small talk. Doesn’t smile. And I’ve heard he’s… difficult.” “That’s a polite way of putting it.” “Exactly. Like, if you get on his bad side? You’re finished.” I raised a brow. “Sounds dramatic.” “It is dramatic,” she said, completely unbothered. “But also true. And...” she paused, glancing back at him, “—he’s single.” I almost choked on my drink. “Of course, that’s where you were going with this.” “I’m just saying,” she shrugged. “If he looked at me twice, I’d consider changing my life plans.” “You don’t even know him.” “I don’t need to. Look at him.” I shook my head, amused despite myself. “You’re ridiculous.” “And you’re ignoring the obvious.” “Which is?” “That men like him don’t look twice at women like us unless they have a reason.” That made me pause. Not because I agreed, but because of how casually she said it. Before I could respond, a voice spoke from beside me. “Should I be concerned about whatever conversation I just walked into?” I turned, slightly startled. The man standing there looked… easy. That was the first thing I noticed. There was no tension in his posture, no calculated stillness. “Depends,” I said. “Do you often insert yourself into conversations you weren’t invited into?” He smiled, clearly not offended. “Only the interesting ones.” Zara perked up immediately. “Oh, this one is definitely interesting.” “Zara,” I warned. “What?” she said innocently. “I’m just being honest.” He laughed softly, then looked back at me. “I’ll take the risk anyway. I’m Noah.” “Lila.” “Nice to meet you, Lila.” Something about the way he said it felt… normal. “Are you enjoying the event?” he asked. “I’m surviving it,” I said. “That’s a fair answer.” Before the conversation could continue, a presence shifted beside us. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. “You’re late,” Noah said casually. “I’m on time,” a voice replied coldly. I turned. Up close, Adrian Cole was… sharper. There was no warmth in his expression, no attempt to soften his presence. His gaze moved briefly between us before settling, only for a second, on me. Not curious and definitely not interested. Just assessing. “This is—” Noah started. “Not necessary,” Adrian said. Wait, what?!! My grip tightened slightly around my glass. Noah frowned. “I was just introducing—” “I don’t need introductions,” Adrian replied, already looking away. Like the conversation didn’t matter. Like I didn’t matter. For a moment, I considered letting it go. Men like him weren’t worth the energy. But the way he had already decided I wasn’t worth his attention didn’t sit right with me. “You could at least pretend to have manners,” I said. His gaze returned to me. And this time, it lingered just a second longer. “If I needed to pretend,” he said, “I would.” I held his gaze. “Good to know.” There was a brief pause. Then he looked away again. The conversation was over. Just like that. “Ignore him,” Noah said under his breath. I exhaled slowly, forcing my expression back to neutral. “I already am.” But as Adrian Cole walked away without a second glance, one thing became very clear to me. I didn’t like him. Not his attitude. Not his tone. And definitely not his face. And if I had any say in it, I would make sure our paths never crossed again.