Lily found out she was trending before she even finished her morning coffee.
She was sitting at the kitchen island, still in pajamas, scrolling mindlessly through her phone when her screen exploded with notifications. Messages from unknown numbers. Tagged photos. Headlines.
She frowned.
"What the—"
She tapped the first link.
BLACKWOOD HEIR WEDS MYSTERY WOMAN: WHO IS LILY BLACKWOOD?
Her stomach dropped.
Another headline followed.
BILLIONAIRE ADRIAN BLACKWOOD'S SECRET WIFE SPOTTED SHOPPING — EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS
Lily stared at the images. Grainy, zoomed-in shots of her stepping out of the boutique yesterday. One photo had caught the exact moment Adrian's hand hovered near her back.
She hadn't even noticed the cameras.
Her chest tightened.
"So this is what you meant by a stage," she muttered.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Adrian walked into the kitchen, already dressed in a dark suit, expression unreadable. He poured himself coffee like the world wasn't currently dissecting her existence.
"You're awake early," he said.
"You're famous," Lily replied flatly, shoving her phone toward him.
He glanced at the screen. "Yes."
"That's all you have to say?"
"This was inevitable," Adrian replied. "I expected it sooner."
Lily pushed her chair back and stood. "You expected strangers analyzing my clothes, my face, my past?"
"They're analyzing mine," he said calmly. "You're adjacent."
"Adjacent?" she repeated incredulously. "They're calling me a gold digger."
He paused.
Then, slowly, he looked at her.
"That will stop," Adrian said.
"And how exactly do you plan to stop the internet?" Lily demanded.
"By controlling the narrative."
She crossed her arms. "I was afraid you'd say that."
Adrian set his cup down. "We'll attend tonight's charity gala together."
Her eyes widened. "Tonight?"
"Yes."
"I don't do galas."
"You do now."
She let out a sharp laugh. "I knew there was a catch."
"This appearance will establish legitimacy," Adrian continued. "Photos. Statements. Unity."
"Unity," Lily echoed. "You mean pretending we're in love."
Adrian met her gaze steadily. "You agreed to appearances."
"I agreed to a marriage contract," she said. "Not to being paraded."
Silence settled between them.
Then Adrian spoke, his voice lower. "Tell me your boundary."
She blinked. "What?"
"You said yesterday you didn't want to lose yourself," he said. "So tell me where the line is."
Lily hesitated.
"I won't lie verbally," she said finally. "No fake love confessions. No interviews where I gush about how perfect you are."
"That's acceptable."
"And no touching unless necessary," she added. "I need to be warned."
Adrian nodded. "Done."
She exhaled. "You're taking this very well."
"I prefer negotiated terms to resentment," he replied.
That surprised her.
The gala was held in a hotel that looked like it had been carved out of crystal and gold. The moment they stepped inside, Lily felt the attention slam into her like a wave.
Cameras flashed.
Whispers followed.
She instinctively slowed.
Adrian noticed immediately.
Without touching her, he leaned closer and murmured, "Breathe. Walk with me."
She did.
They moved as one unit through the crowd, Adrian greeting donors and executives with practiced ease. Lily smiled when expected, nodded when introduced, and resisted the urge to bolt.
Then the first camera crew approached.
"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood," a reporter said brightly. "How does it feel to finally make your debut as a married couple?"
Adrian answered smoothly. "We value privacy, but we're pleased to support this cause together."
The reporter turned to Lily. "Mrs. Blackwood, what do you love most about your husband?"
Lily froze.
This was it.
The line.
She glanced at Adrian, who gave the slightest nod—your call.
She smiled politely. "That he respects my independence."
Adrian's eyebrow lifted almost imperceptibly.
The reporter blinked. "That's… refreshing."
They moved on.
Lily let out a quiet breath. "I didn't lie."
"No," Adrian said. "You didn't."
As the night progressed, Lily noticed something unsettling.
Adrian didn't let anyone corner her.
Whenever a conversation became uncomfortable, he appeared at her side. Whenever someone dismissed her, he redirected attention back to her.
It felt… protective.
At one point, a hand slipped around her waist.
She stiffened.
"Necessary," Adrian murmured, close enough that only she could hear. "Camera."
She nodded slightly.
His hand was warm. Steady.
The contact lasted only a few seconds—but it lingered long after he let go.
Later, they stepped onto the balcony for air.
Lily leaned against the railing. "I survived."
"You did more than that," Adrian said. "You impressed people."
"That wasn't the goal."
"It helps."
She looked at him. "You're different tonight."
"In what way?"
"You're… present."
He considered that. "So are you."
For a moment, the city noise faded. The lights below shimmered like another world.
Then Lily spoke softly. "I don't want to disappear into this life."
Adrian turned to her fully. "You won't."
"You can't promise that."
"I can," he said. "Because I don't want a wife who fades."
Her heart skipped.
Before she could respond, voices approached the balcony.
The moment was gone.
But something had shifted.
As they left the gala together, Lily realized one thing with startling clarity:
Pretending to be married was easy.
Not falling for him?
That was going to be the real challenge.
📌 Progress update
Chapters completed: 7 / 222
Public arc initiated
Lily's first boundary set (important for later payoff)
Emotional tension rising, no resolution
Chapter Eight will introduce:
Backlash from rumors
Lily's past being dug up
Adrian choosing sides (subtly)