MARRIED TO THE WRONG TWIN

Chapter 7 – Under His Gaze

The next morning, the air in the penthouse felt different—charged, as though the walls themselves were waiting for something to break.

I walked into the dining room, forcing my steps to stay steady. Adrian sat at the head of the table, a newspaper open before him, untouched coffee steaming at his side. His presence filled the room like a storm cloud, silent but impossible to ignore.

“Sit,” he said without looking up.

My fingers twitched against the fabric of my dress as I obeyed. A maid poured me coffee, then vanished quickly, sensing the tension.

Adrian folded the newspaper and set it aside. Finally, his eyes lifted to mine. Cold. Searching.

“You’ve been… different,” he said slowly. “Not just at the luncheon. Every day since the wedding.”

I forced a laugh that sounded brittle to my own ears. “Marriage changes people, doesn’t it?”

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, gaze piercing. “Don’t insult me, Elara. You used to be reckless, impulsive. You couldn’t walk into a room without making a scene. Now you’re quiet. Careful. Almost…” His eyes narrowed. “…as if you’re trying not to be noticed.”

My chest squeezed painfully. “You’re imagining things.”

He rose suddenly, his chair scraping against the marble floor, the sound sharp and unforgiving. In three strides, he was beside me, looming over me. His hand pressed flat against the table near mine, trapping me in place.

“Am I?” His voice was low, dangerous. “Then look at me. Right now. And swear you are who you say you are.”

The world seemed to tilt. His nearness, his intensity—it was unbearable. My throat tightened, my lips trembled, but somehow, I forced the words out.

“I am your wife.”

Silence stretched. His eyes searched mine, probing deeper than I thought possible. For a heartbeat, I was sure he could see the truth etched across my skin.

Then, unexpectedly, he leaned closer, so close his breath brushed my ear. “If you ever lie to me…” His tone was quiet, almost gentle, but laced with ice. “…I’ll know. And when I do, nothing will save you.”

A shiver raced down my spine as he pulled away, his expression once again unreadable. He picked up his coffee, took a slow sip, and returned to his chair as if nothing had happened.

But my hands trembled beneath the table.

Because in that moment, I realized something terrifying.

Adrian Kane didn’t just suspect me.

He was hunting the truth.

And sooner or later, he would catch it.