---
The night of the masquerade came faster than I expected.
And just as Liam predicted, Riven made me his date.
---
"You'll wear this," he said, placing a velvet box on my bed. "Don't be late. And don't try to run."
He leaned in, whispering like a promise and a threat combined—
"Tonight, I want the world to see what obsession looks like... when it's dressed in devotion."
---
Inside the box: a black mask with silver edges and a tailored suit—dark, slim-fit, the collar traced with blood-red thread.
It wasn't clothing.
It was a claim.
---
Masquerade Night – 9:00 p.m.
The ballroom glittered with gold chandeliers, violins, and strangers in masks that hid everything except the eyes.
And yet, even in that crowd…
Riven stood out.
---
Midnight suit. Crimson mask. A drink in one hand, danger in the other.
When he saw me enter, everything else faded for him. He walked straight through diplomats, criminals, and royals.
Straight to me.
---
Riven:
"Stunning."
Me:
"I didn't wear this for you."
He smirked. "No. You wore it because of me. That's enough."
---
He pulled me into a dance.
Waltz. Close. Possessive. Deliberate.
I moved with him, not out of fear—but because every eye was watching, and I needed the world to believe his fantasy.
---
Riven (softly):
"They see us, you know. They envy me."
Me:
"Or pity me."
"Pity? No. You should see what they do to the ones they love. We're gentle, in comparison."
His fingers pressed tighter.
---
Mid-dance, I spotted Liam on the balcony—hidden, watching.
I gave him a slow blink.
The plan was starting.
Tonight, I would begin the final act of convincing Riven: that I was truly his.
---
But Riven already knew.
Because just before the final spin of the dance—
He whispered, "I know you're lying."
---
I froze.
He spun me away.
Then suddenly, he let go—and I stumbled straight into someone else.
A stranger. Tall, masked in ivory, with a glass in hand and sharp blue eyes.
---
Stranger:
"You're a terrible dancer for someone held so close."
Me:
"Maybe I don't like being held."
He laughed—cold and clean.
"Then you're either incredibly brave… or incredibly doomed."
---
I tried to walk away.
He grabbed my wrist gently.
"Careful. Not all monsters in here wear masks."
---
I returned to Riven moments later, breath shaken.
He smiled too calmly.
"You met him," he said. "The man with the ivory mask."
"Who is he?"
Riven sipped his drink.
"The only man who might love you worse than I do."
---
I didn't sleep that night.
Because I had a terrifying realization—
Riven wasn't the only danger in this mansion.
Something worse was watching me now.
And it didn't want obsession.
It wanted ruin.
---
[End of Chapter 18]
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