Elena stood in front of the long
mirror, dressed in a soft blue robe that someone from the staff had laid out
for her. She had been living in the Vance mansion for one week now. One full
week of pretending, smiling, and living beside a man who didn't speak unless it
was for the cameras—or to give her orders.
Dominic Vance was many things. But a
husband?
No. He wasn't even close.
Their rooms were on the same floor but
far apart. He never entered hers, never asked if she was okay, and never shared
a meal with her. The mansion was full of people—maids, security guards,
cooks—but Elena had never felt more alone in her life.
She touched the ring on her finger. It
sparkled like hope, but it felt like a lie.
A knock came at the door.
"Elena?" a voice called.
It was Sophie, her best friend. One of
the only bright lights left in her world.
"Come in," Elena said, quickly drying
her eyes before her friend saw.
Sophie walked in, holding two coffee
cups.
"I figured you'd need this," she said
with a small smile. "You didn't answer my texts."
"I've been busy pretending to be a
billionaire's happy wife," Elena said, forcing a smile.
Sophie sat beside her. "How's the…
situation?"
"Cold. Silent. Awkward."
"Elena…"
"I know. I made my choice. I walked
into this with my eyes open. But it still hurts, Soph. He looks at me like I'm
a burden."
Sophie sipped her coffee. "Do you
think he'll ever try to make this work?"
Elena shook her head. "This isn't
about love. It never was. It's just a deal. For him, I'm part of the
package—like a new office chair or a company car."
Sophie frowned. "You're not nothing,
Elena. He's just too stupid to see your worth."
Elena smiled, grateful. "Thanks for
always being on my side."
"I always will be."
Later That Day
Elena walked down the marble staircase
and found Vera Cunningham waiting at the bottom. The woman was always perfectly
dressed, always smiling, but her eyes were sharp and cold.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Vance," Vera
said.
Elena hated that name.
"Is something wrong?"
"Not at all," Vera said. "Mr. Vance
would like you to accompany him to a board meeting this afternoon. He believes
it will be good for the company's image."
"A meeting?" Elena blinked. "Why now?"
"Because people are watching, Mrs.
Vance. And you two need to look like a team."
Elena nodded. "Fine. Tell him I'll be
ready."
She returned to her room and dressed
in a sleek navy-blue suit. She tied her hair back and applied light makeup. She
had learned quickly how to act like someone she wasn't. Every expression, every
smile—it had to be perfect.
She met Dominic at the front door of
the mansion. He was already dressed in a black suit, his tie flawless, his
watch gleaming.
He looked at her briefly. "You're
late."
"Nice to see you too, husband," she
replied, lifting her chin.
He didn't smile.
They rode in silence to the Vance
headquarters. The car was silent except for the occasional message notification
on Dominic's phone. Elena looked out the window the entire time, feeling like a
shadow in his life.
When they arrived, cameras flashed.
Reporters yelled questions. Dominic stepped out and reached for her hand.
She hesitated.
"Smile," he muttered without looking
at her. "You're playing a part."
She plastered a smile on her face and
took his hand. Together, they walked into the tall glass building like the
perfect couple. But behind the smiles, there was nothing but walls.
Inside the Boardroom
The board members sat around a long
table, most of them older men in sharp suits. Dominic sat at the head of the
table. Elena took the seat beside him, like she had been told.
"She's here for the media," he had
whispered before they walked in. "Smile, nod. Say nothing."
Elena kept her back straight and her
eyes forward.
The meeting began.
Dominic spoke with power. Every word
was sharp and clear. He talked numbers, deals, partnerships. The board members
nodded, impressed.
Elena barely understood half of it.
Then one of the older men turned to
her.
"And what do you think, Mrs. Vance?"
he asked with a polite smile. "Is Hart Enterprises adjusting well under new
leadership?"
Elena felt her pulse spike. All eyes
turned to her.
Dominic stiffened beside her.
She smiled. "It's a difficult
adjustment. But I believe growth comes from discomfort. And I'm willing to work
through it."
The man smiled wider. "Well said."
After the meeting, Dominic didn't
speak to her. Not in the elevator, not in the car.
Only when they reached the mansion did
he finally turn.
"You weren't supposed to speak."
"I was asked a question."
"I didn't bring you there to speak."
"I'm not a statue, Dominic. You can't
just dress me up and expect me to stay silent."
He stepped closer. "This is a business
deal, Elena. Every word you say matters. You don't understand what's at stake."
She met his cold gaze. "Maybe you
should start treating me like a partner instead of a puppet."
He didn't reply. He just walked away.
Again.
That Night
Elena stood on the balcony outside her
room. The air was cold, but she didn't care. She looked at the city lights,
wondering how her life ended up here.
Her phone buzzed.
It was a message from Julian Cross.
Julian: Saw the news. So… Mrs.
Vance, huh? Didn't think you'd go for a guy like him.
Elena's heart twisted. Julian had
always been kind. Supportive. Familiar.
Elena: Life doesn't always go as
planned.
Julian: Coffee sometime? Just as
friends?
She didn't reply right away. She
couldn't. Not yet.
Behind her, the door creaked open. She
turned quickly.
It was Dominic.
He looked tired. Not angry. Just…
tired.
"Do you always talk to your exes when
you're upset?" he asked.
Elena's jaw clenched. "Were you spying
on me?"
"You're using my name. My house. My protection.
Of course, I watch."
She crossed her arms. "I don't need
your protection."
He stepped closer, eyes dark. "You
think this is just a game? That this ring protects you from the vultures out
there?"
"I think you enjoy controlling
people," she snapped. "You don't want a wife, Dominic. You want a doll."
He paused.
"I don't want a wife," he said slowly.
"I want peace. And I thought you'd at least understand the need for survival."
"I understand survival better than you
think. I'm just not willing to kill my soul for it."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The air between them was thick with anger. Pain. Something deeper neither
wanted to name.
Then Dominic turned away.
"Stay out of my business, Elena. And
stay away from Julian Cross."
He walked out, slamming the door
behind him.
The Next Morning
Elena woke up to find a small envelope
on her nightstand.
It was from Dominic.
Inside was a note:
"Dinner. Tonight. 8PM. No press. No
cameras. Just us."
She stared at the note for a long time.
Why?
Why now?
Did he feel guilty?
Or was this just another strategy?
She didn't know. But something in her
heart—small and tired—wanted to believe this might be the first real moment
between them.
Maybe.
Just maybe.