Chapter Seven:Dinner or deceit??
Elena didn't know where they were going.
He hadn't told her.
Just left a note on the kitchen counter in that aserious handwriting of his:Dinner. 7 p.m. Wear black.
No name. No location. No explanation.
She stared at the paper for a long time before folding it in half and sliding it into her pocket.
---
The black dress she chose was simple. Elegant. The kind of thing Isabella probably wouldn't have worn—no shimmer, no drama. Just clean lines and quiet confidence.
Just what speaks for me.
Her hair stayed down. Light makeup. Nothing too loud.
She looked in the mirror before she left the bedroom.She stared hard and critically and she came to a conclusion,she looked good,but she didn't look like a wife.
She looked like someone pretending to be one.
---
The car arrived at exactly 6:45. The driver didn't say much. Just nodded and held the door. Quiet, professional like every of Aiden's staff she has met…
Aiden was already inside.
Black suit. No tie. Cufflinks glinting in the light. He didn't look at her right away. Just sipped from a crystal tumbler and stared out the window.
He looked good—
When he finally did turn, his gaze moved over her slowly. Assessing.
"You clean up well," he said softly
She didn't smile. "Thank you."
He didn't offer anything else. No small talk. No clue where they were headed.
The silence sat heavy between them all the way downtown.
---
The restaurant was expensive, the kind with pristine chairs and no prices on the menu. White marble floors. Waiters in black. The kind of place where people didn't just eat—they showed off.
Aiden walked in like he owned the building.
Elena followed quietly.
Heads turned. A woman at the bar nudged her friend. A man in a corner booth whispered something and laughed.
Aiden greeted the host by name. "Black. Table for six."
Six?
Elena's stomach dropped.
This wasn't a dinner for two.
This was a performance.
---
The others were already at the table when they arrived.
Three men, sharp suits, too much cologne. One woman—sleek, blonde, the kind of beautiful that was practiced and expensive,all fake and surgery kind of beautiful.
Elena didn't recognize any of them.
Aiden introduced her quickly. "My wife, Elena."
Elena gulped softly… Not "this is Elena." Not "Elena, my wife."
Just: my wife. Elena.
Possession first. Name second.
She nodded politely, smiled where expected. They didn't seem interested.
The blonde looked her over, then went back to her wine.
---
The dinner dragged.
They talked business—investments, markets, mergers. Elena had no place in the conversation, and no one tried to include her. Aiden didn't even glance her way.
She sipped her water. Ate carefully. Stayed composed.Invisible.Exactly how they wanted her.
How he wanted her….. quiet ,composed,doll who didn't talk until she was permitted.
---
Midway through the second course, one of the men leaned back and said, "So, Aiden. Still adjusting to married life?"He asked conversationally but his eyes were mocking and mean.
He smirked as if it were a joke.
Aiden didn't laugh. He just glanced sideways at Elena. Something in his eyes—sharp, Distant….
"Some adjustments take longer than others," he said, lifting his glass.
The table chuckled.
Elena kept her face still,not minding the emotions boiling inside of her….
---
Later, someone mentioned Isabella. Not directly. Just a stray comment from the blonde.
"Hard to imagine the wedding without Isabella there. She always had such… presence."
Aiden didn't react. His fork paused, then kept moving.
Elena felt every word like a pin pressed into her skin.
"She wasn't available," Aiden said finally. "Elena was."
Just like that. Cold. Clinical. Like she was a substitute pulled from the bench.
Of course….
What else if not a substitute bride.
Elena smiled tightly,hoping nobody sees how much the world's around the table was tearing her apart….
The blonde blinked. "Well, you're lucky she said yes."
Aiden said nothing,Neither did Elena.
---
They left just after ten.
The city was buzzing, lights and people and noise. The car door closed behind her, muffling it all.
Inside, the silence returned.
Aiden didn't speak until they were halfway home.
He glanced quickly at her "You didn't say much."
Elena stared out the window. "No one asked me to." she said simply,
"They weren't there to make friends."
"I noticed."
He turned to look at her. "That's how this works. Appearances matter."
"And I'm part of the appearance."
His jaw clenched. "It's not personal."
"You used me," she said quietly. "In front of them. You used me like a piece of furniture."
"I gave you a name. A life. A place."He snapped,eyes flashing furiously
"A place," she repeated. "Not respect."
He didn't answer. She looked at him with emotions almost spilling"You said pretty words,invited me to dinner. I thought we —--" she stopped abruptly,looked away then looked back at him"You played me"
When she didn't get any answer from him,she looked back out the window and watched the city pass…
The car rolled on through the city lights.
---
Back at the penthouse, she stepped out first.He followed.Neither of them said a word in the elevator.
There really was nothing to say…
---
She went straight to the guest room.
She didn't care if it made a statement. She didn't want to be near him. Not tonight.She couldn't stand him. Couldn't stand looking at him
And remembering how foolish I had been. She mused as she stepped into the large walk in closet.
She peeled off the black dress, folded it carefully, and set it aside. Put on one of the oversized sweaters from the closet and sat on the edge of the bed, arms wrapped around herself.
He hadn't looked at her like that in public. Not once. Not really.
To him, she wasn't real out there.
She was a placeholder.
---
An hour later, she heard voices.
Muffled.
Aiden. On the phone.
She opened the door quietly, stepping into the hall. His study light was on. The door was open just a crack.She didn't mean to eavesdrop. But the words were sharp and clear.
"I'm handling it. She's not a problem."
Pause.
Who could be on the other side??
Elena walked closer,as soundlessly as she could manage.
"No, she doesn't ask questions."
Another pause. His voice dropped.
"She's quiet. Pretty. Harmless. No threat to anything."
Elena felt her stomach twist.
Me??
Could he possibly be talking about her??
Another silence,and a soft chuckle followed"She knows her place."
That did it.
She backed away. Slow. Careful.Closed the door to her room.Locked it.
Sat on the bed and stared at the wall.
---
He had said she was quiet.
Pretty.
Harmless.
No threat.
She knew her place?
Maybe she did.
But that place was changing.
And Aiden Black was going to regret underestimating her.
And she'd enjoying watching every money of it…