TITLE:RUNAWAY BRIDE

Chapter 6: THE PRESS CONFERENCE

The room was full of cameras.

Flashlights. Microphones. Reporters shouting my name.

"Lily! Lily Carter!"

"Mrs. Smith! Is it true?"

I stood next to Alex in a navy blue dress. My hair was done. My makeup was perfect.

I looked like I belonged beside him.

Alex held my hand. His grip was tight. Not romantic. Possessive.

"Thank you all for coming," Alex said. His voice was calm, powerful. "Lily and I have been dating for the past 8 months. We decided to keep it private."

Lies. All lies.

A reporter stood up. "Mr. Smith, why the rush? The wedding photos leaked this morning."

Alex squeezed my hand. "Because I couldn’t wait to make her mine," he said.

Then he looked at me. For the cameras.

His eyes were soft. His thumb brushed over my knuckles.

It looked real. It felt fake.

The reporters went wild. "So romantic!" "Power couple!"

Inside, I was shaking.

After the questions, we walked out. The second the doors closed, Alex dropped my hand.

"Good job," he said. No smile. "You didn’t mess up."

"Thanks," I whispered.

My phone buzzed in my clutch.

Unknown number.

The message read:

*I see you, Lily. You can’t hide behind him.*

My blood ran cold.

He found me.