The Unexpected Ally

Sophia ~

Three days passed in tense silence.

Alexander worked late every night, though I suspected he was avoiding me as much as I was avoiding him. We moved around the penthouse like strangers, carefully orchestrating our schedules to minimize contact.

But Saturday arrived too quickly, bringing with it the charity gala Alexander had demanded I attend.

"The dress is in your closet." Alexander's voice came from behind me as I stood in the bathroom, staring at my reflection. "Valentino. Your stylist will be here at four."

"I don't need a stylist."

"You need to look perfect." He appeared in the doorway, already dressed in his tuxedo. God, why did he have to look so devastatingly handsome? "The Blackwood Foundation Gala is the social event of the season. Everyone will be watching us."

"Watching me, you mean. Watching to see if the Wyndham marriage is cracking." I turned to face him. "That's what this is really about, isn't it? Appearances."

His expression remained neutral. "Appearances matter in our world."

"Your world. Not mine."

"It became yours the moment you married me." He stepped closer, adjusting his cufflinks with practiced ease. "Tonight, you smile. You laugh at the appropriate moments. You play the role of a devoted wife. Can you do that, Sophia?"

The question hung between us like a challenge.

"I've been doing it for two years," I said quietly. "What's one more night?"

Something flickered in his eyes, regret? pain?, but it vanished before I could identify it.

"Good." He checked his watch. "We leave at six. Don't be late."

The Valentino dress was breathtaking, a deep emerald silk that hugged my curves and made my skin glow. My stylist, a cheerful woman named Claire, worked magic with my hair and makeup, transforming me into the perfect billionaire's wife.

"You look stunning, Mrs. Wyndham," Claire said, stepping back to admire her work. "Mr. Wyndham won't be able to take his eyes off you."

If only that were true.

Alexander barely glanced at me when I emerged from the bedroom. "Ready?"

The gala was held at the Metropolitan Museum, the grand halls filled with New York's elite. Champagne flowed freely, designer gowns sparkled under crystal chandeliers, and everyone wore masks of sophisticated civility.

I knew these people. Had spent two years learning their names, their preferences, their petty rivalries. But I'd never felt more like an outsider.

"Alexander! There you are." A woman's voice cut through the crowd, warm and familiar.

I turned, and my heart stopped.

Elena Hartley stood before us, radiant in a simple white gown that somehow outshone every elaborate dress in the room. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, her smile genuine and bright.

She was beautiful. Of course she was beautiful.

"Elena." Alexander's voice softened in a way it never did for me. "I didn't know you'd be here."

"Last-minute decision. The foundation does such important work." Her eyes shifted to me, and her smile didn't waver. "You must be Sophia. I've heard so much about you."

I bet you have.

"All good things, I hope." I kept my voice light, playing my role.

"Of course." She touched Alexander's arm with easy familiarity. "Your husband speaks very highly of you."

Liar. But I smiled anyway, the perfect society wife. "How kind."

"I was hoping to steal Alexander for a dance," Elena said, her eyes twinkling. "We have some foundation business to discuss, and the dance floor is so much more pleasant than a boring conference room."

"Foundation business?" I looked at Alexander. "I wasn't aware you were involved with the Blackwood Foundation."

"It's recent." He wouldn't meet my eyes. "Elena asked me to join the board last month."

Last month. When I'd been crying myself to sleep every night while he worked late.

"How wonderful," I managed. "You two should definitely catch up. I'll just—"

"Actually, I'd love to talk with you too, Sophia." Elena's hand caught mine, and I was too shocked to pull away. "Alexander mentioned you used to work in art restoration. We're planning an exhibition of recovered artifacts, and I'd love your input."

I stared at her, searching for malice, for hidden agendas. But her expression remained open and genuine.

"I... sure. That would be nice."

"Wonderful!" She squeezed my hand before releasing it. "Let me just steal your husband for one dance, and then we'll chat. I promise."

Before I could respond, she'd swept Alexander onto the dance floor. I watched them move together with practiced ease, her hand in his, his arm around her waist.

They looked perfect together. Natural. Like they belonged in each other's arms.

"First time meeting the competition?"

I spun around. An older woman stood beside me, champagne in hand, watching the dance floor with knowing eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"Eleanor Hartley. Elena's aunt." She sipped her champagne. "Don't worry, dear. I'm not here to cause trouble. Just thought you might want to know the truth."

"The truth?"

"About why your husband can't let her go." Eleanor's gaze was sharp. "He saved her life once, you know. Years ago, before you. There was an accident, a car crash that killed her parents. Alexander pulled her from the wreckage."

My breath caught. "I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't. Alexander doesn't talk about it. Too much guilt." She turned to face me fully. "He blames himself for not saving her parents too. So he tries to save her in other ways. Donations. Board positions. Late-night phone calls when she's in some dangerous country doing her humanitarian work."

"That's... that's very noble of him." The words tasted like poison.

"Noble. Obsessive. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference." Eleanor's expression softened. "But here's what you should know, dear, Elena doesn't love him. Not the way he needs it. She loves her work, her causes. Alexander is her hero, her savior, her dear friend but she'll never love him as a woman loves a man."

"Then why…."

"Why does she keep him close? Because she's lonely. Because having Alexander Wyndham's devotion is comfortable. Because she doesn't realize she's hurting you in the process." Eleanor set down her empty glass. "Elena's not a bad person. She's just oblivious."

I watched them on the dance floor, saw Alexander smile at something Elena said, a real smile, unguarded and warm.

"It doesn't matter if she loves him back," I whispered. "He loves her. That's enough to destroy me."

"Maybe." Eleanor patted my arm. "Or maybe it's time someone showed Alexander Wyndham what he's losing."

She walked away, leaving me alone with my breaking heart and a dangerous idea forming in my mind.

If Alexander wanted a devoted wife for appearances, I'd give him one.

But I'd also show him exactly what it felt like to watch the person you love slip away.

Two could play the game of indifference.