The first public appearance as Dominic Blackwood's fiancée felt like walking onto a battlefield dressed in silk.
Lila stood beside him at the entrance of the Blackwood Foundation Gala, her fingers curled tightly around his arm. The venue glittered with wealth and influence—crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and faces that held power behind polite smiles. Cameras flashed relentlessly, each click sealing her fate a little more.
Dominic leaned closer, his voice low and controlled. "Smile. They're watching."
She did.
The doors opened wider, and a murmur swept through the crowd. Whispers followed them like shadows.
"That's her."
"The Monroe heiress."
"So soon after the wedding scandal."
Lila felt every word like a blade, but Dominic's hand at her waist was firm, grounding. He guided her forward as if they owned the room—and perhaps they did.
A woman in red approached first, her smile sharp and assessing. "Dominic," she purred. "You move fast."
He smiled politely. "Efficiency is a virtue."
Her gaze slid to Lila. "And you must be the bride."
Fiancée, Lila wanted to correct. Contracted shield. Strategic move.
"Yes," she replied calmly. "Lila Blackwood."
The woman's eyebrow lifted slightly. The name carried weight already.
"Well," she said, stepping back, "welcome to the wolves' den."
As they moved deeper into the crowd, Lila's pulse raced. Every handshake felt like a test. Every compliment sounded like a challenge. She realized quickly that this world thrived on weakness—and tonight, everyone was searching for hers.
"You're doing well," Dominic murmured as they paused near the bar.
"I feel like prey," she whispered back.
His lips curved faintly. "Then you're learning."
A sudden hush fell over the room.
Lila stiffened when she sensed it—eyes turning, conversations dying. She followed Dominic's gaze to the entrance.
Ethan stood there.
Her breath caught violently.
He looked polished, confident, untouched by guilt. His eyes locked onto hers instantly, a slow smile spreading across his face as if he'd been expecting this moment.
Her fingers dug into Dominic's sleeve.
"You didn't tell me he'd be here," she whispered.
"I didn't know," Dominic replied, his voice calm but his jaw tightening. "Stay close."
Ethan approached, applause and murmurs trailing him. "Lila," he said warmly, as if he hadn't destroyed her life. "You look… radiant."
She forced herself to meet his gaze. "You shouldn't be here."
"And miss this?" he chuckled. "Impossible."
His eyes flicked to Dominic. "Congratulations. I see you've replaced me quickly."
Dominic's smile was sharp. "She upgraded."
A ripple of tension passed between them.
Ethan's gaze darkened. "Careful, Dominic. You don't know what you're marrying into."
"Oh, I know exactly what I married," Dominic replied coolly, pulling Lila closer. "Loyalty. Strength. Intelligence."
Lila felt the words settle into her chest, unexpected and unsettling.
Ethan laughed softly. "You think this is over? You think a contract makes you untouchable?"
Dominic leaned in, his tone lethal. "Nothing makes you untouchable. Especially not betrayal."
Ethan's smile faltered for just a fraction of a second.
"I'll see you around," he said finally, backing away. "Enjoy the performance."
When he disappeared into the crowd, Lila exhaled shakily.
"He's dangerous," she whispered.
"Yes," Dominic said. "And desperate."
The gala continued, but the air had shifted. Lila felt it in the glances, the murmurs, the sudden interest in her every move. She was no longer just an heiress.
She was a target.
Later, as the music softened and the crowd thinned, Dominic guided her onto the terrace overlooking the city. The night air was cool, sharp, cleansing.
"You handled that well," he said.
"I wanted to slap him," she admitted.
His lips curved. "Next time, ask permission."
She scoffed. "You're impossible."
He turned to face her fully, his expression unreadable. "You stood your ground tonight. That matters."
Lila hesitated. "Why did you defend me like that? With him."
"Because," Dominic said quietly, "no one touches what's mine."
The words sent a strange heat through her.
"This marriage is supposed to be fake," she said.
His gaze held hers. "Publicly, it's flawless. Privately, it's evolving."
Her heart skipped. "That wasn't part of the contract."
"Neither was Ethan showing up," he replied. "Adaptation is survival."
For a moment, they stood too close, the city humming beneath them. Lila became acutely aware of his presence—his warmth, his scent, the dangerous calm he carried.
She stepped back abruptly. "Don't confuse this."
"I won't," he said softly. "But don't deny what you feel either."
She turned away, gripping the railing. "I feel trapped."
Dominic moved closer, his voice low. "You're protected."
She looked up at him. "By you?"
"Yes."
The certainty in his tone unsettled her more than fear ever had.
Inside, the lights dimmed as the event drew to a close. Tomorrow, the world would wake up believing in their love story. Tonight, Lila understood the truth.
The contract had bound her to power, danger, and a man who blurred every line she tried to draw.
And for the first time since her wedding day, she wondered—
Not if she would survive this marriage.
But whether she would lose herself to it.