"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Alex demanded.
Zara rolled her eyes as she plopped onto the bed. "Uh, surprise? Duh. Besides, I figured you'd be busy, so I wanted to let you focus."
Alex scoffed. "Busy? Please. You know this isn't a real marriage, right?"
Zara shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell."
Alex frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Never mind." Zara waved it off, then clapped her hands. "To more important things—why the hell are you still here? The party's about to start."
Alex's hand flew to her mouth. "Shit, shit, shit!" She began pacing the room. "I forgot—I fell asleep."
"Well then," Zara said dryly, "maybe you should get dressed?"
"Yeah, yeah." Alex quickly locked the door, then turned to Zara just as she was about to strip.
"What?" Zara asked, smirking. "Hurry up, slowpoke. It's not like I haven't seen you undressed before."
Alex smirked back and let her friend help with the dress.
"Your gown is stunning," Zara said, eyes sparkling.
"Thank my mother-in-law, not me," Alex replied.
"I figured. You could never pick something this exquisite."
Alex playfully swatted her. "Shut up." She settled at the dressing table in her undergarments.
"So, where's the reception dress?" Zara asked.
Alex pointed to the wardrobe. Zara opened it, gasping loudly.
"WTF, girl! This is amazing!"
Alex rolled her eyes. "Relax. We only chose it because the one I wanted wasn't available."
Zara's eyes widened. "Wow. Listen to you—already talking like a rich man's wife."
Alex laughed, yelping when Zara slapped her back. "Ouch! I'll report you to my husband."
They both burst out laughing.
"Oh, Alex. You are something else. Come on, let's get you ready."
Within minutes, Zara had her dressed. She frowned at Alex's light makeup. "If you hadn't insisted on barely-there makeup, you'd look so much better."
But Alex was satisfied. She admired her reflection, a smile tugging at her lips. She looked… breathtaking.
"Don't worry, Zara. I've never been a makeup person."
"Yeah, whatever," Zara muttered, though her grin returned. Then her eyes lit up mischievously. "Ooooh. I can't wait to meet the lucky guy."
Alex chuckled. "Lucky? Please. He won't feel that way once I'm through with him."
"Already plotting mischief, huh?" Zara teased.
Alex's only reply was a sweet, dangerous smile.
"Alright, let's not keep them waiting," Zara said, tugging her toward the door.
They walked hand in hand into the ballroom. The hall was packed, and as they stepped inside, silence fell. Every head turned toward them. Zara basked in the attention, while Alex wished the ground would swallow her whole. Each step felt heavier, slower.
At the far end of the hall, Elizabeth and Catherine stood frozen, hands covering their mouths in shock.
Julian had his back turned, but when he finally faced her, his expression faltered. Alex absolutely stole his breath away.
He stepped forward, smiling, ready to take her arm from her friend. Elizabeth, bless her, quickly signaled for the music to resume, breaking the tense silence and drawing eyes away.
"Hi," Zara said brightly when Julian's gaze refused to leave Alex.
He turned to her with a polite smile.
"I'm Zara, Alex's best friend."
Julian shook her hand firmly. "Thank you for bringing her. I was about to come myself."
Alex stared at the floor, feeling awkward under the weight of his gaze.
"Of course," Zara replied smoothly. "We wouldn't want her to miss her own party, would we?"
"No," Julian said softly, eyes flicking back to Alex. "We certainly wouldn't."
When it seemed like the two would remain locked in a silent stare, Zara cleared her throat.
"Why don't you two dance?" she said, dragging them both into the center of the floor before Alex could protest.
Alex swallowed hard. She'd kill Zara later. For now, she had to survive this dance.
The music swelled around them. Bodies pressed close, and while Julian welcomed it, Alex bristled. Still, she remembered her mother's plea just the night before:
"Just one day of silence, Alex. For my sake and for Elizabeth's. After that, do whatever you want."
So here she was, complying—for now. But inside, she was already planning a thousand ways to make her husband pay.
"You seem lost, dear," Julian murmured, his voice warm against her ear.
The endearment twisted something unpleasant in her stomach.
She forced a sweet smile. "Oh, I'm exactly where I should be."
"Hm." His skepticism was plain. Her easy smile unsettled him.
"Are your work buddies here?" Alex asked, glancing around. Surely this was the kind of event where rich men paraded their friends, turning parties into campaigns.
"No. I didn't invite them."
Her brows furrowed. "Why not?"
"Because I don't want them to know I'm married. Not yet."
Her eyes narrowed. "So where did all these people come from?"
"Most are my parents' friends or acquaintances. Some are business partners."
"But no actual friends of yours?"
"Not entirely." He nodded toward a tall, handsome man standing near the edge of the crowd. "That's a friend. And colleague."
Alex's lips curled, her voice sharp with disdain. "Blackwood… are you embarrassed by me?"