Cassie moved through the crowd like the room belonged to her.
It wasn't just the pale gold gown or the perfect hair. It was the way people turned when she passed, the way smiles appeared automatically, the way someone always stepped aside to make space. Cassie had a talent for becoming the center without looking like she tried. She made it seem effortless, like the universe simply preferred her.
Bella had always been grateful to orbit that.
To be the one Cassie chose.
Cassie's smile was bright as she approached, and Bella felt her lungs fill properly for the first time all day. Relief was a drug. It washed through her so fast it made her eyes sting.
Cassie stopped directly in front of Bella, close enough that Bella could smell her perfume. Vanilla and something floral. Familiar. Comforting.
Cassie's eyes swept over Bella slowly, and Bella braced herself for a joke, a compliment, a sharp little line to make her laugh and stop shaking.
Cassie's smile widened.
"Bella," she breathed, like she was genuinely impressed. "Oh my God."
Bella's throat tightened. "Cass."
Cassie reached out and took both of Bella's hands, squeezing them warmly. A public gesture. A friendship display. Angel saving demon, everyone look how kind I am.
Except Cassie's touch felt the way it always did: intimate, claiming, like she had a right.
"You look…" Cassie's gaze dipped to Bella's neckline, then back up to her eyes. "…expensive."
Bella's cheeks warmed. "I didn't pick it."
Cassie laughed softly, eyes glittering. "Of course you didn't. Your new husband did."
The word husband made Bella flinch.
Cassie noticed. Her smile softened immediately into sympathy.
"Oh, Bells," Cassie murmured, voice lowering like it was just for Bella. "I'm sorry."
Bella's chest tightened. "He cut my phone signal."
Cassie's brows lifted in perfectly performed outrage. "He did what?"
Bella nodded, words tumbling out now that she finally had Cassie in front of her. "I couldn't call you. I couldn't call anyone. I've been stuck in that house with—"
Cassie's fingers tightened around Bella's hands, soothing. "Okay. Okay. Breathe."
Bella swallowed hard, obeying without meaning to.
Cassie glanced past Bella's shoulder at Lucian.
Lucian had not moved from Bella's side. He stood half a step behind her, silent and watchful, dressed in black, the kind of calm that made him feel dangerous even when he did nothing.
Cassie's expression didn't change, but something in her eyes sharpened.
Then she turned back to Bella and smiled again, sweet as sugar.
"Well," Cassie said brightly, voice lifting just enough to be heard by the girls nearest them, "if he's going to force you into being Mrs. Queen, the least he can do is make you look like a weapon."
A couple of people laughed politely.
Bella's stomach turned. Mrs. Queen.
Cassie squeezed Bella's hands again and leaned in, whispering, "Don't let him see you shaken. That's what men like him want."
Bella blinked. "Men like him?"
Cassie nodded, eyes wide with faux seriousness. "Control men. Power men. They fall in love with cages."
Bella's throat tightened.
It sounded right in the way Cassie's words always sounded right. Cassie always made Bella feel like she understood what was happening better than anyone else did.
Bella's mind whispered again, unwanted: What if Lucian is right?
Bella pushed it down hard.
If she let that thought breathe, it would poison everything.
Cassie's smile turned playful. "Come on. Let's get you a drink."
Lucian spoke instantly, voice low and flat. "No."
Cassie blinked at him, innocence perfected. "Excuse me?"
Lucian didn't look at Cassie. He looked at Bella. "No drink."
Bella's temper snapped. "Stop."
Lucian's gaze stayed steady. "Bella."
Cassie laughed softly like Lucian was adorable. "Oh my God," she whispered theatrically, turning back to Bella. "He really does think you're a child."
Bella's cheeks burned with humiliation. She hated being talked over. Hated being handled. Hated that Lucian's rules made her look weak in front of Cassie.
"I'm fine," Bella said sharply to Lucian. "It's one drink."
Lucian's jaw flexed. "Water."
Cassie's smile widened. "How romantic," she cooed. "Hydration."
The girls near them giggled.
Bella shot Cassie a look. "Cass."
Cassie squeezed Bella's hand and turned serious again, as if she could switch modes by choice.
"Okay," Cassie whispered. "We'll do water. But you're coming with me to the bar so you can breathe."
Lucian's voice cut through again. "She stays here."
Cassie finally turned fully toward Lucian.
The smile remained, but the sweetness sharpened into something else.
"Lucian," Cassie said calmly, "you're at your brother's estate. There are cameras everywhere, staff everywhere, security everywhere. What exactly do you think is going to happen if Bella walks ten feet with her friend?"
Lucian's gaze didn't shift. "You."
A tiny pause.
The girls nearby went still, sensing the tension like blood in water.
Cassie's lashes fluttered. "Me?" she repeated lightly, as if amused.
Lucian's voice stayed quiet. "Yes."
Bella's stomach dipped. The accusation was too direct, too bold. It made Bella's nerves spark.
Cassie laughed—a soft, pretty sound—and looked back at Bella as if to say, See? He's obsessed. He's insecure.
Cassie leaned toward Bella's ear and whispered, "He doesn't like me because you listen to me."
Bella's chest tightened.
Cassie's grip on Bella's hand changed slightly. Still gentle. Still friendly. But firmer. Like she was anchoring Bella.
"Bells," Cassie murmured, "tell him."
Bella swallowed.
Lucian's eyes were on her, steady and intense, like he was waiting to see which way she would fall.
Bella hated that he made her feel like she was being tested.
Bella lifted her chin. "Lucian, I'm going to the bar with Cassie."
Lucian didn't move.
For a beat, the room felt frozen.
Then Lucian spoke, controlled. "I'm coming."
Cassie's smile brightened instantly. "Perfect. Come supervise."
Cassie turned smoothly, linking her arm through Bella's again and guiding her toward the bar like the decision had always belonged to her.
Bella walked with her, the fabric of her black gown whispering against the floor. She could feel eyes following them. Curious, hungry eyes.
At the bar, Cassie ordered sparkling water for Bella with a dramatic little sigh like she was suffering for her friend.
"There," Cassie said, handing Bella the glass. "See? You survived."
Bella took a sip. The bubbles hit her tongue. Cold. Clean. Safe.
Cassie leaned closer, voice lowering. "Listen. I know you're furious. But you have to be smart."
Bella's chest tightened. "I don't want to be smart. I want out."
Cassie's eyes softened. "I know. And you will. Alan's already upset."
Bella's pulse kicked. "He is?"
Cassie nodded quickly. "He thinks Lucian crossed a line. He thinks your dad should've never allowed it. He's… he's been quiet, but trust me, he's watching."
Bella's stomach flipped with hope so painful it almost felt like nausea.
Bella glanced past Cassie's shoulder instinctively.
And there he was.
Alan Queen stood a few yards away, half-turned toward them. He wasn't smiling. His eyes were on Bella, slow and measuring, like he was deciding what she was worth in this new packaging.
Bella's mouth went dry.
Cassie's voice slid into Bella's ear like a drug. "Go to him when you can. Not now. Not with Lucian right there. But soon."
Bella swallowed. "What do I say?"
Cassie's lips curved. "You don't have to say much. Just look at him. Let him remember."
Bella's chest tightened with longing.
Let him remember.
A second later, Alan started walking toward them.
The crowd parted naturally. Alan moved through people like he expected space and got it.
Cassie's posture shifted. She straightened, smile ready, eyes bright. Like Alan's attention was a spotlight she was trained to stand under.
Alan stopped beside Cassie first, letting his hand rest lightly on her waist in a gesture that looked casual and meant ownership.
Bella's stomach twisted at the sight.
Cassie leaned into Alan automatically, then turned her angel smile on Bella. "Bells," she said softly, like she was about to reunite lovers. "Alan's here."
Alan's gaze finally dropped to Bella.
Slowly.
The corner of his mouth lifted. Not warm. Not kind.
Possessive.
"Bella," Alan said. "You cleaned up."
Bella's cheeks flushed.
Lucian's hand touched Bella's lower back, subtle but firm.
Alan's eyes flicked to the hand.
The smile on Alan's mouth sharpened.
"Brother," Alan said, voice smooth.
Lucian's voice was flat. "Alan."
Cassie laughed lightly as if the tension was fun. "Ooh. Family reunion."
Bella's throat tightened. She wanted to talk to Alan. She wanted to explain. She wanted to hear him say Cassie was right, that he'd fix it, that this marriage was temporary.
Alan leaned slightly closer to Bella, eyes never leaving hers.
"We need to talk," Alan said.
Bella's breath caught. "Yes."
Lucian's hand pressed a fraction more firmly into Bella's back.
"No," Lucian said.
Alan's smile widened, lazy and cruel. "Relax. It's just a conversation."
Cassie squeezed Bella's arm, her nails barely digging through fabric, and whispered, sweet as honey, "Go. Before Lucian makes a scene."
Bella's heart hammered.
She looked at Cassie's soft smile.
She looked at Alan's confident smirk.
She looked at Lucian's steady warning.
And the thought she'd tried to bury all night rose again, louder now, terrifying in its clarity.
What if Lucian is right?