Chapter 4: The Perfect Image
276 Words
Chapter 4: The Perfect Image
The ballroom glittered with lights, laughter, and expensive perfume.
Ava clutched Lucas’s arm as they entered.
“Smile,” he whispered.
She forced one.
Cameras flashed.
People whispered.
“That’s his wife?”
“She’s beautiful…”
“They look perfect together…”
Ava leaned closer.
“They’re buying it.”
“Of course they are,” Lucas replied. “That’s the point.”
A man approached them.
“Lucas! You didn’t tell us you got married!”
Lucas placed a hand gently on Ava’s waist.
The gesture felt… real.
“This is my wife, Ava,” he said smoothly.
Ava smiled politely.
“Nice to meet you.”
For the rest of the night, they played their roles flawlessly.
Holding hands.
Sharing quiet laughs.
Looking like they belonged together.
But every time Lucas touched her, Ava felt something dangerous stir inside her chest.
Something that wasn’t part of the contract.
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Later that night, they returned home.
Ava kicked off her heels.
“I’m exhausted.”
Lucas loosened his tie.
“You did well.”
She smirked.
“Was that a compliment?”
“Yes.”
She blinked.
That might’ve been the first genuine thing he said.
Ava sat on the couch.
“So… how important is this deal?”
Lucas paused.
“Very.”
“Important enough to fake a whole marriage?”
“Yes.”
Ava studied him.
“You’re willing to go this far… but not willing to fall in love?”
Lucas’s expression
“I don’t need real.”
But for the first time… Ava wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her or himself.
- Writer
