Chapter 8: A Dangerous Game

The rest of the day felt… off.

Lina couldn’t focus.

Not on the mansion.

Not on the staff.

Not even on herself.

Her mind kept replaying everything—

The kiss.

The woman.

The way Adrian stood in front of her… like she actually mattered.

She shook her head.

“This is not real,” she whispered.

But the feeling in her chest said otherwise.

“Ma’am?”

Lina turned.

A maid stood behind her.

“Mr. Blackwood has asked you to get ready.”

Lina frowned.

“For what?”

“For dinner,” the maid replied. “You’ll be attending an event together.”

Her stomach dropped.

“Event?”

“Yes, ma’am. A business gathering.”

Of course.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

That evening—

Lina stood in front of the mirror.

She barely recognized herself.

The dress was stunning.

Black.

Elegant.

Dangerous.

It hugged her perfectly, making her look like she belonged in Adrian’s world.

Even if she didn’t feel like it.

“You clean up well.”

Her breath caught.

She turned—

Adrian stood by the door, his eyes fixed on her.

And for a moment…

He didn’t look away.

Something in his gaze made her heartbeat quicken.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she replied, trying to stay calm.

A faint smirk appeared.

“Careful,” he said. “That almost sounded like a compliment.”

“It wasn’t.”

“Of course not.”

The car ride was quieter this time.

But not tense.

Something had shifted.

Neither of them said it.

But it was there.

The venue was breathtaking.

Lights.

Music.

Luxury.

Powerful people everywhere.

The moment they walked in—

All eyes turned.

“Is that Adrian Blackwood?”

“Who’s the woman with him?”

“They look… close.”

Lina’s grip tightened slightly on his arm.

She could feel the attention.

The judgment.

The curiosity.

Adrian leaned slightly toward her.

“Relax,” he murmured. “You look like you’re about to run.”

“I’m not used to this,” she admitted quietly.

His voice softened.

“Stay close to me.”

Her heart skipped.

Again.

Everything was going fine.

Until—

“Well, well…”

Lina froze.

She didn’t even have to turn around.

She already knew.

That voice.

Slowly, she looked.

And there she was.

The woman from earlier.

Dressed in red.

Confident.

Dangerous.

Walking toward them like she owned the room.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t be here?” she said, stopping in front of them.

Adrian’s expression hardened.

“This isn’t your concern.”

“Everything about you is my concern,” she replied smoothly.

Her eyes slid to Lina.

Cold.

Sharp.

“You look better than I expected,” she said.

Lina forced a polite smile.

“Disappointed?”

The woman smirked.

“A little.”

Tension crackled between them.

Then—

She stepped closer.

Too close.

“Tell me,” she said softly, “how long do you think this little marriage will last?”

Lina’s chest tightened.

But she didn’t back down.

“Long enough,” she replied calmly.

The woman laughed.

“Oh, you’re brave.”

Before Lina could respond—

A man approached.

“Adrian,” he greeted, shaking his hand. “Good to see you.”

Adrian nodded.

But Lina noticed something.

The woman in red moved closer to the man.

Resting her hand lightly on his arm.

Watching Lina.

Like she was setting a trap.

And suddenly—

Lina understood.

This wasn’t just jealousy.

This was a game.

A dangerous one.

“Dance with me.”

Lina blinked.

“What?”

Adrian was already looking at her.

Waiting.

“I don’t dance.”

“Tonight, you do.”

Before she could refuse—

He took her hand.

And led her to the dance floor.

The music slowed.

Soft.

Intimate.

His hand settled on her waist.

Pulling her closer.

Her breath hitched.

“This is part of the act, right?” she whispered.

His eyes locked onto hers.

“Does it feel like an act?”

Her heart betrayed her.

“No.”

He pulled her slightly closer.

And this time—

She didn’t resist.

Around them, people watched.

Whispered.

But in that moment—

It felt like they were the only two in the room.

“You’re learning fast,” he murmured.

“Learning what?”

“How to belong beside me.”

Her heart raced.

Dangerous words.

Dangerous feeling.

But across the room—

The woman in red watched.

Her expression dark.

Calculating.

And beside her—

Lina’s ex smiled.

Like he knew something they didn’t.

Like something worse was coming.

As the music ended—

Lina felt it.

That uneasy feeling again.

Like everything was about to change.

She looked up at Adrian.

“This isn’t over, is it?” she asked quietly.

His jaw tightened slightly.

“No,” he said.

And the way he looked at her—

Told her everything.

“This is just the beginning.”