THE CEO'S HIDDEN BRIDE

Amara had never belonged in places like this. She knew it the moment she stepped through the enormous golden doors. The mansion was brighter than any place she had ever been inside. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, expensive cars filled the driveway, and people dressed in designer clothes moved around as if luxury was an ordinary part of their lives. Amara looked down at her simple black dress. “Just one night,” she whispered to herself. “Get through the party, eat something, and leave.” She had only come because her roommate, Tessa, had insisted. “You need to get out of that room,” Tessa had told her earlier. “You've spent the entire week studying. Come with me.” Amara had refused. Until Tessa mentioned the free food. That had changed everything. Now, standing in the middle of the mansion, Amara was beginning to regret her decision. Everyone seemed to know everyone. She knew nobody. She walked toward a table filled with drinks and reached for a glass of juice. “Finally.” Tessa appeared beside her. “You actually came!” “You said there would be food.” Tessa laughed. “Of course there is.” Before Amara could respond, Tessa grabbed her hand. “Come. I want you to meet some people.” “No.” “Yes.” “Tessa—” “Amara.” Tessa gave her a warning look. Amara sighed. “Fine.” They had barely walked across the room when someone suddenly bumped into Amara. Her glass nearly fell. “Watch where you're going.” Amara looked up. A tall man stood in front of her. Black suit. Cold expression. Sharp eyes. He looked like someone who was used to people moving out of his way. Amara stared at him for a second. Then she frowned. “You bumped into me.” The man's expression didn't change. “Did I?” “Yes.” “Then I suppose we're even.” He walked away. Amara watched him disappear into the crowd. “What was that?” she asked. Tessa's eyes widened. “Do you know who that was?” “No.” “That was Damian Vale.” “And?” Tessa stared at her. “The Damian Vale.” Amara shrugged. “I still don't know who that is.” Tessa lowered her voice. “His family owns half the businesses in this city.” Amara glanced toward the crowd. “Well, he should learn how to apologize.” Tessa laughed. “You're crazy.” Amara smiled. She had no idea that Damian Vale would become the most complicated person she had ever met. Two hours later, Amara was ready to leave. Tessa had disappeared somewhere with her friends, and Amara had already eaten enough food to justify attending the party. She pulled out her phone. 11:37 p.m. She decided to find Tessa before leaving. She walked down a quiet hallway, checking one room after another. Nothing. Then she heard voices. Amara stopped. Someone was talking behind a slightly open door. She recognized the first voice immediately. Damian. “You shouldn't have come here.” Another man answered. “You know why I'm here.” Amara frowned. She hadn't intended to listen. But then she heard something that made her freeze. “She's here.” Silence. Damian's voice became colder. “Who?” “The girl.” “What girl?” “Amara.” Her heart skipped. Amara slowly stepped closer to the door. Why were they talking about her? The other man continued. “She doesn't know anything yet.” Damian was silent. Then he said something that made Amara's stomach twist. “She can never know.” “Damian, eventually she'll find out.” “She won't.” “You can't keep this from her forever.” “I can try.” Amara's breathing became shallow. What were they hiding? She leaned closer. The other man spoke again. “After all these years, you finally found her. What are you going to do now?” Amara's eyes widened. Found her? Damian answered quietly. “Keep her away from the truth.” A sudden noise came from the hallway. Amara panicked. She stepped backward. Her heel struck a decorative vase. Crash! The sound echoed through the mansion. The conversation stopped. Amara's heart pounded. The door opened. Damian stepped out. His eyes immediately found her. Neither of them spoke. Then Damian walked toward her. “What are you doing here?” Amara swallowed. “I was looking for my friend.” His gaze remained fixed on her. “What did you hear?” “Nothing.” He took another step. “You're lying.” Amara stepped backward. “I heard you say my name.” Damian's expression changed. For the first time, he looked genuinely concerned. “Amara…” “How do you know my name?” He didn't answer. “How do you know me?” Still nothing. Amara's voice became firmer. “Who are you?” Damian reached into his jacket. He pulled out an old photograph. He stared at it for a moment before handing it to her. Amara took it. Her eyes fell on the photograph. Her breath caught. It showed a young woman. Her mother. Amara knew that face immediately. But the man standing beside her— She had never seen him before. Yet somehow, his eyes looked strangely familiar. Amara looked at Damian. “Who is this?” Damian said nothing. “Answer me.” His jaw tightened. “That man is your father.” The photograph nearly slipped from Amara's hand. “My father died when I was four.” “That is what your mother told you.” Amara stared at him. “No.” Damian's voice was quiet. “But it isn't the truth.” Amara shook her head. “You're lying.” “I wish I was.” Her fingers trembled around the photograph. “Where is he?” Damian looked away. “I don't know.” “Then how can you say he's alive?” “I didn't say he's alive.” Amara stared at him. “Then what are you saying?” Before Damian could answer, a woman's voice came from behind them. “Damian.” They turned. An elegant older woman stood at the end of the hallway. Her eyes landed on Amara. The color drained from her face. She whispered one word. “Impossible.” Amara frowned. “Do you know me?” The woman didn't answer. Instead, she looked at Damian. “You brought her here?” Damian's expression hardened. “I didn't.” The woman stared at Amara as though she had seen a ghost. Then she whispered, “She looks exactly like her.” “Like who?” Amara demanded. The woman suddenly turned and walked away. Amara started after her. Damian grabbed her arm—not harshly, but enough to stop her. “Don't.” “Let go of me.” “You don't understand what you're getting yourself into.” “I deserve to know the truth about my own family!” Damian stared at her. For a moment, neither spoke. Then his phone rang. He answered. “Hello?” His expression changed. “What?” Amara watched him carefully. He listened for several seconds. Then he said: “Don't touch anything. I'm coming.” He ended the call. “What happened?” Amara asked. Damian looked directly at her. “Your mother.” Amara's heart dropped. “What about my mother?” Damian hesitated. Then he said the words that changed everything. “She disappeared tonight.” Amara couldn't breathe. “What?” Damian looked at the photograph still clutched in her hand. “And whoever took her left one message.” “What message?” Damian's eyes darkened. “They said…” He paused. “They know you've found out the truth.” To be continued…