Chapter 2

Later, I really couldn't take it anymore. That night by the dance floor, when he pulled me firmly against his chest again, I kept my voice low and protested.

"Don't you think this is drawing too much attention? People will talk tomorrow." I tried to keep my tone calm.

Wearing a tailored black suit, Knox raised an eyebrow. "What's the problem? The mafia world is full of psychos. If I don't hold you tight, what happens if some bastard from another family sets his eyes on you?"

Damn it. I actually couldn't argue with that logic.

He reached out and squeezed the back of my neck, like he was petting a cat. "Stay right here. I'll go to the bar and get you a drink."

I stood on the terrace with my glass, staring at his broad back. A secret sense of pleasure washed over me. If this fake bond could last forever, it wouldn't be so bad.

I felt like I was truly losing my mind.

"Eden?" An arrogant female voice interrupted my thoughts.

It was Isla, the daughter of a politician who worked with the family's associates.

She wore an expensive red dress and stilettos, looking like a proud peacock eager to show off her feathers.

I had seen her a few times at the underground poker tables. I didn't expect her to come looking for me.

I forced a polite smile. "What a coincidence, running into you here."

Isla's red lips curled into a smirk. "Not a coincidence. I came looking for you."

She pulled a stack of photos out of her clutch and slapped them onto the terrace railing. They were clearly candid shots taken by the paparazzi.

In the photos, Knox was draping his coat over my shoulders outside the dinner venue. The way he bent his head to whisper in my ear was so intimate, he looked like he was talking to his bride.

Isla's tone was full of bitterness. "Eden, I didn't expect you to enjoy yourself so much. You carry the title of a sister, but you're living like a lover."

I swirled the wine in my glass and asked coldly, "So? You went through all this trouble just to show me this?"

Isla lifted her chin proudly.

"A man like Knox deserves a woman who can bring him political power. You might not know this, but my father is already discussing an arrangement with the Don. All I have to do is nod, and the future Donna of this family will be me."

I looked at her with pity.

A man like Knox was indeed desired by everyone, but he couldn't care less about a political marriage. I said softly, "Then good luck to you."

Isla's face instantly twisted with anger. She leaned close to me, gritting her teeth.

"Do you know how people secretly laugh at you? They say you're a fake bitch, acting all sweet and harmless while desperately clinging to Knox. In reality, all you think about is how to climb into his bed!"

She took a step closer, her eyes full of malice. "If he found out that his most trusted sister had those dirty thoughts about him, how do you think he'd react?"

"To him, that would be a betrayal from the person closest to him."

My grip on the glass tightened. I couldn't argue back.

Every word she said hit my weak spot. This was exactly why I guarded my secret. I was terrified of losing the fragile closeness we had right now.

Seeing me fall silent, Isla smiled cruelly. She leaned into my ear and whispered, "Give it up. You'll only ever be a pathetic shadow hiding in the dark."

"Eden?" Knox's voice came from behind, cutting off her words. I looked up.