Chapter Five:The First Performance
1119 Words
The announcement went live at exactly 8:00 p.m.
Liora watched it happen from the study, standing beside Cassian while his phone vibrated endlessly on the table. Screens lit up one after another; news alerts, social feeds, financial updates, all carrying the same headline, the same image.
CASSIAN BLACKWOOD TO MARRY MYSTERY FIANCÉE
The photo was clean. Too clean. Cassian in a tailored suit. Liora beside him in a simple black dress, her face calm, her posture composed. No smile. No fear.
Rowan stood across the room, arms folded, eyes sharp as she scanned the coverage.
“The wording is neutral,” Rowan said. “No background details. No interviews attached.”
Liora nodded once. “Good.”
Cassian glanced at her. “You don’t sound relieved.”
“I don’t relax when things go quiet,” Liora replied. “That’s when people dig.”
Rowan’s gaze flicked to her. Something unreadable passed between them before Rowan looked away.
“The board is pleased,” Rowan said. “Investors are responding well.”
Cassian’s attention stayed on Liora. “And you?”
She met his eyes. “I’m visible now.” And that was all she said.
The first public appearance was scheduled less than forty-eight hours later. A charity gala. Black tie. Cameras guaranteed.
Rowan insisted on control over everything; arrival time, lighting, angles, security placements.
Liora listened, absorbed, and then calmly overrode half of it.
“I won’t arrive late,” Liora said. “It creates anticipation.”
“That’s the point,” Rowan replied.
“It creates chaos,” Liora said. “We arrive on time.”
Rowan’s jaw tightened. “You’re not experienced with this level of exposure.”
“I’m experienced with being hunted,” Liora replied evenly. “This is easier,” she added.
Cassian watched the exchange without interrupting.
When they finally arrived at the venue, flashes exploded instantly. Voices shouted Cassian’s name. Questions followed, rapid and invasive.
“Mr. Blackwood, how did you meet?”
“Miss Hale, what do you do for a living?”
“Is this a love match?”
Cassian’s hand rested lightly at the small of Liora’s back, a guiding presence more than a touch. She didn’t lean into it. She didn’t pull away.
They walked.
Inside, the air buzzed with curiosity disguised as politeness. Liora felt eyes on her from every direction, measuring, comparing, searching for cracks.
She stood straight.
Introductions came fast. Too fast.
“This is Liora,” Cassian said again and again.
She smiled when required. Nodded when spoken to. Said nothing extra.
Then she felt it.
The shift.
A pause too long. A stare that didn’t break.
Liora’s gaze lifted across the room and landed on a man near the bar. Mid-thirties. Well dressed. Watching her without disguise. When their eyes met, he didn’t look away.
Her fingers curled slowly.
Cassian felt the change before he saw it. “What is it?” He asked.
“Nothing,” she answered quietly. But her eyes stayed locked on the man.
Rowan appeared at Cassian’s side moments later. “Security just flagged someone unauthorized in the east wing.”
Cassian’s expression darkened. “Remove them.” He instructed.
“They disappeared,” Rowan said. “Already gone.”
Liora’s pulse picked up, but her face stayed calm.
“Cassian,” a woman’s voice cut in smoothly.
A familiar voice, polished and confident.
Cassian turned.
Serena Vale stood before them, champagne in hand, red dress perfectly fitted, smile sharp with memory.
“Congratulations,” Serena said, eyes flicking to Liora. “You didn’t tell me you were engaged.”
Cassian’s jaw tightened almost unnoticeably.
“Serena.” he muttered.
She extended a hand toward Liora. “You must be the fiancée.”
Liora took it. Serena’s grip was firm, her smile curious rather than kind.
“You’re… unexpected,” Serena said lightly.
“So I’ve been told,” Liora replied.
Serena laughed. “Well, welcome. Cassian doesn’t bring just anyone into the light,” she said casually, but for Liora, the words lingered.
Liora felt Cassian’s hand shift at her back, firmer now.
“We should circulate,” he said.
As they moved away, Serena watched them with narrowed eyes.
They left the gala earlier than planned.
Inside the car, silence stretched thick between them.
“You saw someone,” Cassian said finally.
“Yes.” Liora affirmed.
“Who?” he continued to ask.
“I don’t know,” Liora replied. “But he knew me,” she added.
Cassian turned toward her fully. “You said your past wouldn’t interfere.”
“I said I’d handle it,” she corrected.
His phone buzzed again and Rowan’s name flashed on the screen.
“Say it,” Cassian said few seconds after he picked the call.
“There’s been a breach,” Rowan said. “Your private residence cameras caught movement near Liora’s wing. No identification. No entry logged.”
Liora’s chest tightened.
Cassian’s voice dropped. “Any damages?”
“None” Rowan replied. “But Cassian, this wasn’t random.”
The call ended.
They reached the house in minutes.
Inside, security swarmed the halls. Cassian moved fast, his stride sharp and purposeful. Liora followed, every sense alert.
Her room was untouched. Too untouched.
Cassian scanned the space, eyes narrowing. “Nothing’s missing.”
“That’s worse,” Liora said.
She crossed to the window.
On the glass, barely visible unless you knew how to look, was a faint symbol scratched into the corner.
Her breath caught.
Cassian stepped closer. “What is that?”
Liora stared at it, blood rushing in her ears.
A mark she hadn’t seen in years.
A promise.
Her phone vibrated in her hand. She quickly stared down at it but it was an unknown number.
She didn’t answer.
It vibrated again, then a message appeared.
“You should never have let them see you.”
Cassian read it over her shoulder.
“Who sent that?” he demanded.
Liora swallowed before replying.
“Someone,” she said quietly, “who knows where I came from.”
Another message followed immediately.
“We’re coming for what was taken.”
Liora’s hands shook for the first time.
Without realizing, Cassian closed his fingers around hers in a protective manner, firm and grounding.
“You’re not leaving this house,” he said with a tone of finality.
Liora looked up at him, eyes sharp
with fear and resolve.
“They already found me,” she said. “The marriage didn’t protect me.”
Outside, somewhere beyond the gates, a car engine started.
And for the first time since signing the contract, Cassian realized, this marriage had just turned into a war.
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