Chapter 5

Selene’s Pov

The restaurant was exclusive, lights low, tables spaced for privacy. Damien sat across from me looking unfairly good in a tailored black suit. Cameras waited outside. This was our first public show.

“You’re tense,” he said, pouring me more wine. “Relax. Or people will think I’m forcing you.”

“You are forcing me, in a way,” I replied with a sweet smile for anyone watching.

His mouth twitched. “You said yes.”

“Because I have my reasons.”

We ordered. Between courses he reached across the table and took my hand, thumb stroking my knuckles. It was for show, but my body didn’t get the memo. Heat spread up my arm.

“Tell me something real about you,” he said quietly. “Not résumé stuff. Real.”

I hesitated. The online version of him had asked the same thing once. I’d told him about losing my mother young, about wanting to prove myself to my father. He’d listened.

“I lost someone important three years ago,” I said carefully. “It changed everything. Made me… harder.”

Damien’s grip tightened slightly. “I know the feeling. I lost someone too. Never even saw her face, but she mattered.”

My heart squeezed. Part of me wanted to tell him right then…”It was me. You helped ruin my family the same night I fell for you.” But I couldn’t. Not yet.

“Was she the one you mentioned before? The woman online?” I asked, keeping my voice light even though my chest felt tight.

He nodded slowly. “S. We talked for months. She understood the pressure, the loneliness that comes with this life. Then she vanished the same night everything went to hell with the Hart scandal. I’ve been searching for answers ever since.”

I swallowed hard. “Maybe she had her own problems. Maybe disappearing was her only choice.”

“Or maybe someone scared her away,” he said, eyes searching mine. “I’ve replayed those conversations a thousand times. She once told me she was afraid of becoming like her father….cold and obsessed with success. Sound familiar?”

My pulse spiked. “Lots of people fear becoming their parents. That doesn’t mean anything.”

Damien leaned forward. “But you tense up every time I mention the past. Why is that, Elena? What are you carrying that makes you look at me like I’m the villain in your story?”

“I look at you like that because you are a villain to a lot of people,” I replied, forcing a small laugh. “You don’t exactly have a reputation for being gentle. Tell me, Damien, do you ever regret the deals that destroyed families? Or is it all just collateral damage in your rise to the top?”

He didn’t flinch. “I regret not seeing the trap sooner. Someone used me as a scapegoat. The Hart collapse, the others—there was more going on behind the scenes. I’ve been trying to prove it.”

“And if you find out you were partly responsible?” I challenged. “Would you admit it? Or would you bury it like everything else?”

Damien’s thumb stilled on my hand. “I’d face it. I’m not afraid of the truth. Are you?”

I met his eyes. “What if the truth destroys the little peace I’ve managed to rebuild? Some things are better left in the past.”

“But the past has a way of coming back,” he said. “Like you. Sitting here across from me, looking at me with eyes I swear I’ve seen before. Tell me honestly, have we met before this job? Even briefly?”

“No,” I lied smoothly. “This is the first time I’ve ever been this close to you. And trust me, it’s been… interesting.”

“Interesting,” he repeated with a dark smile. “Most women say that when they want something from me. What do you want, Elena? Really?”

Before I could answer, the waiter brought dessert. Damien fed me a bite of chocolate cake from his fork, eyes locked on mine. The cameras outside would eat it up.

“You’re good at this,” I whispered.

“So are you.” His voice dropped. “Too good.”

I licked my lips, tasting the rich chocolate. “This whole performance… Doesn't it feel strange to you? Pretending to be this devoted couple when we barely know each other?”

“We’re getting to know each other right now,” he said, voice low. “And it doesn’t feel like pretending when I look at you. That’s what scares me.”

“Scared? The great Damien Cross?” I teased, trying to regain control. “I thought nothing frightened you.”

“You do,” he admitted quietly. “Because you remind me of everything I lost. And because part of me hopes you really are her.”

I pulled my hand back gently. “I already told you I’m not. Stop looking for ghosts in me, Damien. It’s not fair to either of us.”

“Fair?” He gave a low chuckle. “Nothing about this situation is fair. But here we are. Married in two weeks. Living together. Acting like we can’t keep our hands off each other. So tell me, what do you want out of this besides revenge on life?”

I met his gaze. “Security. A chance to build something again. And maybe… to understand why good people get destroyed while men like you keep winning.”

“Men like me,” he repeated. “You say that with so much venom. What did a man like me ever do to you personally, Elena?”

The question hung heavy between us. I looked away. “We should focus on the show. People are watching.”

Later, outside, flashes exploded. Damien pulled me close, hand on my lower back, and kissed my temple. I let myself lean into him for the picture. His body felt solid, warm. Safe. I hated how much I wanted to stay there.

In the car on the way back he spoke. “The wedding is in two weeks. Small but visible.”

Two weeks. My stomach flipped.

As we stepped into the penthouse, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at it and his expression darkened.

“What is it?” I asked.

He looked up at me, eyes stormy. “Adrian just filed paperwork claiming I’m mentally unfit. He’s using old rumors about my obsession with a missing woman. He wants the board to vote.”

I froze. “What are you going to do?”

Damien stepped close, voice low and intense.

“I’m going to make them believe this marriage is real. Starting tonight. So tell me, Elena… how far are you willing to go to convince them?”

His hand brushed my waist, waiting.

I swallowed hard, pulse racing, trapped between revenge and the terrifying pull I still felt toward him.

“Damien…” I started, voice shaky.