Chapter 4 – The Morning After
438 Words
Sunlight spilled across the room, brushing against the satin sheets like golden fire. I blinked awake slowly, my body stiff, my heart heavy with the memory of last night.
The bathroom door clicked open. Adrian emerged, dressed in a crisp navy suit, his tie perfectly knotted, his hair combed back with ruthless precision. He looked every inch the billionaire people feared—and admired.
His eyes landed on me, still curled in the gown I had been too exhausted—and too terrified—to remove.
“You’re still in that dress?” His tone wasn’t concerned. It was mocking.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I… fell asleep.”
He adjusted his cufflinks, watching me the way a hawk studies prey. “Strange. You used to complain about wrinkling expensive clothes. Now you don’t care?”
My stomach knotted. He noticed everything.
I forced a small laugh. “Maybe marriage changes a person.”
Adrian’s lips twitched, though not into a smile. He stepped closer, towering over me. “Marriage doesn’t change people. It reveals them.”
His words lodged in my chest, heavier than stone. Did he suspect already?
He reached for his watch on the nightstand, sliding it onto his wrist. “There’s a charity luncheon today. You’ll attend with me.”
My throat tightened. “Today?”
“Yes,” he said coldly. “The world expects to see my new bride. They’ll examine you. Every glance, every word, every breath. Don’t embarrass me, Elara.”
The name stung. I swallowed the truth, nodding as if I had no choice—because I didn’t.
He studied me one last time, his gaze lingering on my face as though searching for cracks in the mask I wore. For one terrifying heartbeat, I thought he saw Elena—not Elara.
But then he turned away, sliding his phone into his pocket.
“I’ll have a dress sent up. Something appropriate. Don’t be late.”
With that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him.
The moment he was gone, I collapsed onto the bed, pressing my face into my hands. My chest ached with the weight of lies, but worse than the fear was the unexpected sting in my heart.
Why did it matter that he looked at me with suspicion instead of trust? Why did it matter that he called me by another name?
Because somewhere deep down, buried under the fear and the charade…
I wanted Adrian Kane to see me.
Not the sister everyone adored.
Not the mistake he thought he married.
But Elena.
And that was the most dangerous desire of all.
- Writer
