His Contract Wife, His Unexpected Love

CHAPTER 10

The evening air outside the Blake mansion felt heavier than usual, like something was about to happen but hadn’t arrived yet. Lily Carter stood in front of the mirror for a long time, adjusting the simple black dress Claire had chosen for her. It was elegant, quiet, and expensive in a way that made her feel like she was borrowing someone else’s identity. Her reflection looked calm on the surface, but her eyes told a different story. Inside, she felt like she was stepping into a world she still didn’t understand.

A soft knock came at her door, and Maria entered with a small smile and careful hands. “The car is ready,” she said gently, checking Lily’s appearance for a moment. Lily nodded, taking a slow breath before picking up her small purse. “Is he already there?” she asked quietly. Maria hesitated just slightly before answering. “Yes. Mr. Blake left earlier to receive the guests.”

That answer made something tighten in Lily’s chest, though she didn’t fully understand why. She followed Maria down the wide staircase, each step feeling like she was walking into something unknown. The house looked different at night, softer but also colder, like it had secrets it only revealed after dark. When she stepped outside, the driver opened the door immediately, and she slid into the back seat without speaking.

The drive into the city was quiet, but Lily’s thoughts were not. The car moved through bright streets filled with life, laughter, and noise, yet she felt distant from all of it. Tonight was her first public appearance as Ethan Blake’s wife. The words still didn’t feel real in her mind, like they belonged to a different version of her life. She pressed her fingers together, trying to steady herself as the city lights blurred past the window.

When the car stopped, Lily looked up at a tall building glowing with golden light. People in expensive clothes stood at the entrance, smiling as they entered like they belonged there without question. The driver opened her door, and for a moment, she didn’t move. Then she stepped out slowly, feeling the air change around her immediately. This was not her world, but tonight, she had to survive inside it.

Inside, the atmosphere was completely different from Ethan’s home. Music played softly, glasses clinked, and conversations flowed easily between people who seemed comfortable in power. Lily walked carefully, scanning the room for familiar faces, though she found none. Then she saw him.

Ethan Blake stood near the center of the room, surrounded by business partners, speaking calmly as always. He wore a dark suit that made him stand out without effort. When his eyes shifted and landed on her, the conversation around him seemed to fade slightly. He excused himself without hesitation and walked toward her.

“You’re here,” he said simply, stopping in front of her. Lily nodded, her voice softer than she intended. “I didn’t want to be late.” Ethan studied her briefly, then turned slightly. “Stay close,” he said. It wasn’t a request. It was a direction.

As they moved through the room together, Lily became aware of how people looked at them. Some smiled politely, others whispered behind glasses of wine. She could feel their curiosity, their judgment, their interest. It made her posture tighten slightly, but she kept walking. Ethan didn’t seem bothered at all. He greeted people, spoke easily, and introduced her when necessary.

“This is my wife,” he said at one point, his voice calm and steady. Every time he said it, Lily felt something shift inside her. It sounded real to everyone else, but to her, it still felt borrowed.

Later, they were separated briefly as Ethan was pulled into a business discussion. Lily stood near a tall window, watching the city lights below. She tried to stay composed, reminding herself to breathe slowly. That’s when she heard a familiar voice behind her.