Chapter 6: You're speaking to my wife.

Tyler’s voice echoed through the glittering ballroom, confident and dripping with charm.

He held a glass of champagne high, his grin as wide as the lies he lived on.

“I just want to start by saying,” he began, “that I’m the luckiest man alive to have this woman in my life.”

 “I get to wake up every day and know that I somehow convinced her to stick around.” He pointed toward Dahlia again, and the crowd chuckled. “She’s brilliant. She’s fearless. She’s so quick-witted she can make an insult sound like a compliment. Believe me, I’ve been on the receiving end of both.”

More laughter. Dahlia’s smile never faltered, though her knuckles whitened on the stem of her glass.Go on Tyler. Perform 

Tyler continued, his voice warm and performative. “She runs companies, she scares executives, and-don’t let that icy expression fool you-she’s got a heart somewhere in there. I think.” He pressed a hand to his chest, mock wounded.“She’s beautiful- obviously. But she’s also… uh, very talented in other areas.” He winked. “Like keeping me on my toes in meetings… and in bed.”

The audience erupted in laughter. Someone whistled.

Dahlia’s smile didn’t waver, but inside, she was rolling her eyes so hard it hurt. If only they knew he can’t even keep his lights on without my money.

Tyler laughed along with the crowd, soaking in the attention. “But seriously -she’s my rock. My muse. My better half. And tonight, I want to show just how much she means to me.”

The polite awww swept through the audience. He milked the moment, reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a document folder tied with a ribbon.

“I love her so much,” he declared, “that I’ve decided to do something crazy. I’m transferring everything I own in this prenup to my lovely girlfriend—and soon-to-be wife.”

The crowd gasped; flashes erupted like fireworks.

Dahlia rolled her eyes so slightly that only Nate, watching from the edge of the crowd, noticed. If only they knew, she thought, that “everything” amounts to a half-mortgaged car and his  company which was circling the drain.

Tyler gestured grandly toward her. “Come on up here, baby.”

She walked up the steps, the crowd’s eyes tracking her every move, the sequins of her black gown shimmering under the lights. Tyler handed her the papers, but she didn’t take them. Instead, she turned to him with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Grabbing the microphone from his hand, she said sweetly, “Before I sign this document, I have a few things to say.”

Tyler’s jaw tightened. What the hell is she doing?

He forced a laugh. “Uh, baby, maybe sign first? Then talk, yeah?”

Dahlia’s gaze cut into him. “There isn’t that much to sign over,” she cut in sweetly. “I think it can wait until after my announcement.”

The laughter in the crowd faded to murmurs. Tyler stepped back, uneasy.

Dahlia turned back to the guests, her smile bright and dazzling. “Thank you all for coming tonight. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who’s been part of my journey- especially since my parents’ passing.”

The crowd softened, murmuring their sympathies. She continued smoothly, her voice carrying through the hall. “I’ve made a lot of tough decisions this year - but one in particular changed my life.”

She took a slow, deliberate step to the center of the stage, her hand brushing over the mic stand. “And I think it’s finally time to share it with all of you.”

The spotlight hit her like a halo as she drew in a breath, her expression soft yet powerful.

“It is with a happy heart that I announce…”

A hush fell. Cameras clicked.

“I’m married.”

Dahlia lifted her hand, the massive diamond ring catching the light and scattering it across the room. The applause swelled - they all thought she meant Tyler.

But Tyler’s smile vanished.

“What do you mean you’re married?” he said, his voice echoing through the hall.

Dahlia turned toward him with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “It means exactly what it sounds like. I’m a married woman now.” 

Tyler laughed, desperate. “What kind of joke is this, Dahlia?” He looked around for the hidden cameras. “Who put you up to this?”

“I’m not joking.” Her voice was calm

Tyler’s eyes narrowed. “Then who? Who the hell are you married to?”

Dahlia turned to the crowd, smiling like the queen she was born to be. “Allow me to introduce him.”

Footsteps echoed.

Heads turned as a tall man in a sleek black suit walked down the aisle. His face was covered with a smooth black mask, his presence commanding and mysterious.

He reached the stage, took his place beside Dahlia, and without hesitation, wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Dahlia said, her voice ringing out like silk over glass, “my husband.”

The ballroom exploded. Reporters surged forward. Flashes burst like fireworks.

Nate bowed slightly, the movement crisp and elegant, then straightened beside her His poise, his aura… it was magnetic. And dangerous.

Tyler’s composure shattered. “You expect anyone to believe this? That you ran off and married someone overnight? Who is he, Dahlia -another one of your toys?”

Gasps again. The guests whispered.

Dahlia’s expression didn’t flicker. “Careful, Tyler. You wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself in front of all these investors.”

Tyler sneered, losing control. “Don’t act innocent, Dahlia! You’re nothing but a-”

“Careful,” Nate’s voice sliced through the tension - smooth, deep, and controlled. “You’re speaking to my wife.”

The word wife landed like thunder-possessive, protective. The crowd stilled; even the music faltered

Tyler froze, staring at Nate.This is man didn’t look like a random nobody. Even though he couldn’t see his face, the tailored suit, the quiet power in his stance-he radiated authority. Tyler instinctively stepped back. This man carried power like a second skin.

Dahlia took a step forward, her eyes locked on Tyler. “You know, I really wanted to let this go -to forgive you and move on. But since you’ve decided to make a scene…” Her voice turned cold. “Let’s talk about what you were really planning, shall we?”

The crowd leaned in.

“Tyler here wasn’t planning a party to celebrate me. He was planning a party to rob me. To get me drunk enough to sign over my father’s company shares.”

The room erupted in shocked murmurs.

Tyler’s face turned pale. “T-that’s not true-”

I have the recording,” Dahlia said smoothly. She didn’t. But the way he flinched told the crowd enough. “Don’t worry, Tyler. I’m not pressing charges.” Her smile sharpened. “You’re not worth the paperwork.

The crowd gasped again. 

Tyler stumbled back as security began closing in. “No, no, you don’t understand-Dahlia, you know I love you!”

He was dragged out screaming as Dahlia stepped gracefully off the stage, every head in the room turned toward her.

Beside her, Nate’s hand found the small of her back “Nice one, wife” he murmured near her ear, his tone half-proud, half-teasing.

She let herself smile, just a little. “Thanks, husband.”

He chuckled. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“Smart man” she replied, eyes gleaming.

Before she could say more, a familiar voice called out.

“Dahlia…”

Yvaine.

She stood a few feet away, her face pale. “Thank you… for not mentioning me.”

Nate’s eyes flicked to Dahlia’s. “Do you want me to stay?”

“It’s fine” she said coolly.

He hesitated, then leaned close to whisper, “I’ll be just a few feet away. Yell my name if anything happens.”

That quiet protectiveness made her chest tighten unexpectedly. She nodded.

As Nate walked away, Yvaine’s eyes followed him, jealousy burning behind her fragile smile.

Dahlia didn’t even glance at her. “I didn’t do it for you.”

The tension between them crackled.

Yvaine stepped closer, voice soft, pleading. “Dahlia-”

“You know,” Dahlia interrupted, voice cutting through her apology, “you were like a sister to me. Ten years, Yvaine. I considered you family.”

She circled her slowly, her heels clicking against the marble. “It’s true what they say…” She leaned close, her whisper venom-laced. “You can take the girl out of the streets, but you can’t take the streets out of the girl.”

Yvaine flinched. Dahlia knew that sore spot-how much Yvaine hated the fact that her family was poor. Tears welled fast; they always did. “It was Tyler,” she pleaded. “He threatened me. You know I’d never-”

Dahlia pulled her arm free from Yvaine’s grasp. “You’ve used those tears your whole life. They don’t work anymore.”

Yvaine’s shoulders trembled. The room’s noise blurred around them. Dahlia looked at her one last time. “Don’t thank me” she said softly. “Be afraid. Because I’m going to ruin you myself.”

Something in Yvaine’s face hardened, the mask of guilt shattering into spite. “You think you’re untouchable now because of that masked man?”

Dahlia’s smile was faint, cutting. “No. I’m untouchable because you taught me not to trust snakes.”

She turned and walked away, leaving Yvaine shaking, humiliated.

“You’ll pay for this, you little wrench!” Yvaine hissed.

Dahlia didn’t look back.

Outside, flashbulbs exploded as she and Nate stepped into the cool night. Reporters shouted, voices overlapping, but Dahlia only heard his low murmur beside her.

“So, wife…” Nate said, smirking as they slipped into the waiting car. “What’s next on your revenge tour?”

Dahlia glanced at him, the city lights flashing in her eyes. Her lips curved.

“The part where I always win.”