The Orchestrated Lie

Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

The ballroom gleamed under the glow of a thousand crystal chandeliers, a testament to opulence and excess. The city's elite mingled, champagne glasses in hand, their laughter and chatter blending into a low hum. I adjusted the sleek black gown Stefan had insisted I wear, its plunging neckline and open back leaving little to the imagination. It clung to my body like a second skin, and while I felt undeniably glamorous, I also felt exposed under the watchful eyes of strangers.

“You’re nervous,” Stefan murmured as he placed a possessive hand on the small of my back, his warmth seeping through the fabric of my dress.

“I’m not used to… this,” I admitted, gesturing vaguely at the glittering scene before us.

He smirked, leaning closer so only I could hear him. “You’ll be fine. Just stay by my side.”

And that was exactly what he intended for me to do. From the moment we entered the room, Stefan hadn’t let me drift more than a few feet from him. His presence was magnetic and commanding, drawing curious stares and whispered conversations wherever we went. It was clear that Stefan Lancaster was a man both feared and admired in this crowd.

A waiter approached with a tray of champagne flutes, and Stefan intercepted one before I could reach for it. “She’ll take water,” he said curtly, dismissing the waiter before I could protest.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “I think I’m capable of deciding what I drink.”

His gaze flicked to mine, sharp and unyielding. “You’re pregnant, Shania. You don’t need champagne.”

His tone left no room for argument, but it irritated me all the same. “You don’t have to hover over me like I’m about to break,” I muttered, grabbing a glass of sparkling water from another tray and taking a deliberate sip.

“I’m not hovering,” he said smoothly, his lips curling into a faint smirk. “I’m protecting my investment.”

My glare was sharp enough to cut glass, but before I could respond, a blonde woman in an emerald gown sidled up to us. Her smile was dazzling, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Stefan, darling,” she purred, resting a manicured hand on his arm. “It’s been ages. You must introduce me to your… companion.”

“This is Shania,” Stefan said coolly, his hand tightening on my waist as though staking his claim. “She’s with me.”

The woman’s gaze raked over me, her expression hovering somewhere between amusement and disdain. “How lovely,” she said, though her tone suggested otherwise. “You must be very special if Stefan’s brought you here. He doesn’t usually share his toys with the public.”

My jaw clenched, but before I could respond, Stefan stepped in. “That’s enough, Victoria,” he said, his voice cold and final. “Why don’t you go bother someone else?”

Victoria’s smile faltered, but she recovered quickly, retreating with a graceful flip of her hair.

“Charming friend you’ve got there,” I muttered.

“She’s not a friend,” Stefan replied, his tone leaving no doubt that the conversation was over.

As the evening wore on, I became increasingly aware of Stefan’s overprotectiveness. Every time I tried to step away—to grab a snack, to use the restroom, or even to speak with someone else—he was there, his presence looming like a shadow.

“Are you planning to follow me all night?” I finally asked, crossing my arms as we stood by the bar.

“Yes,” he said simply, taking a sip of his whiskey.

“Stefan, I’m not going to run off into the night. You can relax.”

“I am relaxed,” he replied, though his eyes scanned the room like a predator searching for threats.

“You’re acting like I’m in danger,” I said, exasperated.

“You are,” he said, his tone deadly serious.

I blinked, caught off guard by the intensity in his voice. “What are you talking about?”

“Adrian. Stephanie. Take your pick,” he said. “Neither of them can be trusted, and I won’t take chances with you.”

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Stefan, this is supposed to be a party. Can we please not talk about them right now?”

Before he could respond, a tall, dark-haired man approached us, his smile wide and his posture relaxed. “Stefan Lancaster,” the man said, extending a hand. “It’s been a while.”

Stefan’s expression hardened, but he shook the man’s hand. “Matthew. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“I’m full of surprises,” Matthew said, his eyes flicking to me. “And who is this lovely lady?”

“This is Shania,” Stefan said, his voice sharp.

Matthew ignored the warning in Stefan’s tone, his smile widening as he extended a hand to me. “A pleasure to meet you, Shania.”

I hesitated, glancing at Stefan, whose jaw was clenched tightly, before shaking Matthew’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Matthew held my hand a beat too long, his gaze lingering on me in a way that made my skin crawl. “You’re a lucky man, Stefan.”

“That’s enough,” Stefan said, stepping between us and effectively cutting off Matthew’s line of sight.

Matthew chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Stefan. I was just being friendly.”

“Find someone else to bother,” Stefan said coldly.

Matthew gave a mocking bow before sauntering off, leaving me alone with an infuriated Stefan.

“What was that about?” I asked, frowning.

“Matthew is trouble,” Stefan said shortly. “Stay away from him.”

“Why? Because you said so?”

“Yes,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.

I opened my mouth to protest, but the intensity in his gaze silenced me. For all his flaws, Stefan had a way of commanding obedience without lifting a finger.

The night finally wound down, and we left the party in a sleek black car, the city lights blurring past us.

“You were tense tonight,” I said, breaking the silence.

Stefan didn’t respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “I don’t like exposing you to people like them.”

“People like who?”

“Victoria. Matthew. Everyone in that room,” he said. “They’re vultures, and they’ll tear you apart if you give them the chance.”

“I’m not as fragile as you think, Stefan,” I said softly.

He turned to me then, his expression uncharacteristically vulnerable. “Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop protecting you.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. And for the first time, I wondered if Stefan’s overprotectiveness wasn’t just about control, but something deeper—something he wasn’t ready to admit.