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The First Slip

Nathan had been sure he could handle this.

He’d spent years playing the perfect son, the charming businessman, the controlled heir. Pretending to be engaged to Layla Morioh should have been easy.

But it was getting dangerous.

It had been a week since the gala, and somehow, their lives had turned into a carefully choreographed performance. Every public event, every paparazzi photo, every little moment had to be planned. Their families left nothing to chance.

Layla played her part flawlessly. She smiled when she was supposed to, looped her arm through his like it was second nature, and responded to questions about their wedding plans with the perfect mix of excitement and mystery.

And Nathan? He matched her step for step, just as he always did in business negotiations.

Except this wasn’t just business.

And tonight, that truth slapped him across the face.

They were at an exclusive restaurant, attending a private dinner organized by their families an opportunity for close friends and business partners to celebrate their “upcoming union.” Nathan had expected another tedious evening of fake smiles and empty congratulations.

What he hadn’t expected was Layla.

She was sitting across from him, engaged in a conversation with one of his father’s associates. The golden light of the chandeliers caught in her hair, making it glow, and she laughed at something the man said soft, effortless, real.

And for a moment, Nathan forgot this was all a lie.

For a moment, he wasn’t thinking about escaping this arrangement.

For a moment, he simply watched her.

He barely registered when she turned her attention back to him.

“Nathan?” Layla’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

He blinked, realizing too late that he had been staring.

Layla arched a brow, amusement dancing in her eyes. “You okay there?”

Nathan smirked, recovering quickly. “Just admiring how well you’re playing your role.”

She tilted her head slightly, lips curving. “And here I thought I was just naturally charming.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Dangerously charming.”

Layla’s gaze flickered with something unreadable before she took a sip of her wine. “Careful, Lancaster. Someone might think you’re actually falling for me.”

Nathan leaned in slightly, voice low. “That would be a disaster, wouldn’t it?”

Layla met his gaze, the teasing in her expression faltering just slightly. A second passed. Then another.

And for the first time since they started this act, Nathan wasn’t entirely sure where the performance ended and the truth began.

Later That Night

Nathan exhaled as he leaned against the balcony railing of his penthouse, staring at the city lights below.

The dinner had gone well. Too well.

He had spent years knowing exactly what he wanted. His career. His independence. A life on his own terms.

Falling for Layla Morioh had never been part of the plan.

And yet, for a few dangerous moments tonight, he had forgotten that none of this was real.

His phone buzzed.

Layla.

Layla: “Did you make it home alive, fiancé?”

Nathan smirked, shaking his head before typing back.

Nathan: “Barely. You?”

Layla: “Survived. My mother spent the car ride home talking about floral arrangements.”

Nathan: “Tragic.”

Layla: “Truly.”

Nathan hesitated for a moment before sending one more message.

Nathan: “You were good tonight.”

The dots appeared instantly, then stopped. Then started again.

Layla: “You weren’t so bad yourself, Lancaster.”

Nathan stared at the screen longer than necessary before locking his phone.

This was just a deal.

Just a game.

But if he wasn’t careful, it was going to get real.

And that was a problem.