I didn't even get a chance to breathe before we were ushered into the crowd, lights flashing from every direction, cameras clicking rapidly. The smiles on our faces were picture-perfect, the very image of a happy couple. Cassian’s hand was firm around mine, guiding me as we moved from one group to the next, greeting everyone with an ease that made it look like we were completely at home in this world.
I mirrored his smile, nodding at the right moments, laughing softly at the occasional joke thrown our way. But inside, I felt like I was drowning. My heart raced, not from excitement, but from the constant effort it took to maintain the facade. Every second in front of the cameras was a test, and I knew one wrong move would be enough to shatter the illusion we had worked so hard to create.
