CHAPTER 5:THE WEDDING NIGHT MIND GAME

CHAPTER 5:

Selene scoffed and turned, walking straight into the bedroom. Damien walked briskly behind her.The bedroom was too big, too lavish and cold.

Selene stood near the bed, arms crossed, as Damien leaned against the doorway, his smirk permanent.

“You’re nervous,” he murmured.

Selene shot him a glare. “I just want this night to be over.”

Damien took slow, deliberate steps toward her, the air thick with tension. When he finally reached her, he lifted a hand, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“Is that so?” His voice was low, but teasing.

Selene refused to back down. She had seen the way he toyed with people,playing with their emotions, making them feel weak before striking.She wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

“You said it yourself,” she whispered. “This marriage is nothing but a contract.”

Damien hummed in amusement. His fingers traced along her jawline, sending an shiver down her spine.

“And, here we are,” he said softly. “Our wedding night.”

Selene clenched her fists. “Just say whatever threat you have planned for me and leave.”

Damien chuckled. “Threat? No, sweetheart. Just a reminder.”

He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers a featherlight touch, a tease.

Selene’s breath hitched.But just when she thought he would close the distance, Damien pulled away.

She exhaled sharply, furious at herself for even reacting.

“Disappointed?” he murmured.

Selene’s hands trembled with anger. “Go to hell.”

Damien laughed, stepping back. “Already there, sweetheart. And you’re right beside me.”

With that, he turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

Selene let out a shaky breath. She had survived tonight.

Two days later, Selene stare at herself standing in front of a grand mirror, her reflection staring back at her,she was dressed in a breathtaking designer gown.

The fabric was soft against her skin, a deep red that screamed wealth and power.

Damien stood behind her, adjusting his cufflinks. “You’ll behave tonight,” he said smoothly.

Selene met his gaze in the mirror. “And if I don’t?”

Damien’s smirk didn’t waver. He reached out, adjusting a loose strand of her hair.

“Then I’ll remind you who’s in control.”

Selene swallowed hard, hating the way his presence squeeze her.

This was their first official event as husband and wife,a high-profile charity gala attended by New York’s elite.

The moment they entered, all eyes turned to them.

Selene felt out of place, surrounded by billionaires and socialites who whispered behind their champagne glasses.

“She’s not one of us.”

“How did she trap him?”

“She won’t last.”

Damien,was at ease. He kept her close, his hand resting possessively on her waist as he greeted business moguls and politicians.

“Smile,” he whispered against her ear. “Let them believe this is real.”

Selene forced a smile, her heart pounding like a drum of war.

Then, a journalist stepped forward. “Mrs. Lancaster,” she said sweetly, “how does it feel to be married to one of the most powerful men in New York?”

Selene froze.The journalist’s eyes gleamed, waiting for her reply .

For a long second, she didn’t know what to say.

Damien squeezed her waist, his touch burning through the fabric.

Selene quickly forced out a laugh. “It’s… an adjustment,” she said, forcing her voice to sound natural. “But a wonderful one.”

The journalist opened her mouth to ask more, but Damien stepped in smoothly.

“We’re still in the honeymoon phase,” he said with a smile. “I’m a very lucky man.”

The journalist nodded, feeling satisfied.

Selene exhaled slowly, realizing Damien had just saved her.

After the party ended. Damien and Selene were alone in the car, his hand grab her chin.

“Careful, Selene,” he murmured, his grip just tight enough to make her heart race. “One mistake, and I’ll make you regret it.”

Selene met his gaze, her own eyes burning with defiance.

Selene rubbed her wrists after Damien finally let go of her chin. His grip didn't hurt, but it was firm enough to remind her of the power he held over her.

She turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze. The limousine’s interior was silent.

Damien sat beside her, looking composed and too confident. He thrived on control, on making people dance to his tune.

Selene gritted her teeth. She wouldn’t be one of them.After a few moments, Damien leaned back, a lazy smirk playing on his lips.

“You looked beautiful tonight,” he said, his tone almost mocking.

“You mean I played my role well?” she shot back.

Damien chuckled. “Exactly.”

Selene exhaled slowly, trying to calm the storm inside her. Every part of this night had been suffocating the whispers, the stares, the constant reminders that she didn’t belong in this world.

And Damien had enjoyed every second of it.

The car slowed to a stop. Selene looked out the window, her stomach twisting as she recognized the looking glass tower… Damien’s penthouse.

Her new prison.

The driver opened the door, and Damien stepped out first. He turned back, offering his hand to her.

Selene hesitated.

For a second, she thought about running. But where would she go?

With a steady breath, she placed her hand in his, allowing him to help her out.

As soon as they entered the penthouse, the air changed.The cameras were gone. The audience was gone. And Damien’s charming act disappear.

He shrugged off his suit jacket, tossing it onto a nearby chair. “Long night,” he murmured.

Selene stood in the center of the room, feeling the weight of his gaze on her.

“I’m tired,” she said, turning toward the guest bedroom.

Damien’s voice stopped her. “Where are you going?”

She turned back. “To my room?”

Damien smirked. “That’s not your room.”

Selene’s spiked. “You can’t be serious.”

He stepped closer, invading her space. “This is a marriage, sweetheart. And married couples share a bedroom.”

Selene clenched her fists. “We both know this marriage isn’t real.”

Damien reached out, trailing his fingers along her arm. “Ah, but the world doesn’t.”

Selene’s breath hitched. She hated the way he could make her skin burn with just a touch.

“Sleep wherever you want,” he finally said, his tone amused. “But don’t forget,every move you make, I’ll be watching.”

With that, he turned and walked into the master bedroom, leaving Selene standing there.