THE BILLIONAIRE'S RELUCTANT BRIDE

EVANGELINE

"Evangeline!" Mom burst into my room with characteristic energy, gasping when she saw me still in my robe. "You haven't changed yet? Your fiancé's family is already here!"

When had he become my fiancé? The title felt foreign, uncomfortable, like wearing clothes that didn't fit properly. Just three weeks ago, I had been a free woman, focused on my psychology studies, planning a future that belonged entirely to me. Now I was being swept along by arrangements made by others, promises exchanged between families rather than hearts.

My features twisted with barely concealed sarcasm. "Mom, was it really necessary to rent such an elaborate venue? This is just an engagement party. We could have held it at home, kept it simple, intimate. Why all this extravagance?"

The ballroom downstairs was a testament to excess - crystal chandeliers casting rainbow light across marble floors, enough flowers to stock a greenhouse, a string quartet that cost more than most people's monthly salary. All for an engagement to a man I had met exactly twice.

She positioned herself in front of me, her hands on my shoulders while urging me to rise from my chair with gentle insistence. "We've discussed this before, darling. The Dettlings are prominent people in society. We can't appear beneath their social standing, can't give them any reason to look down on our family."

The Dettlings. Even then, the name carried weight, whispered with a mixture of respect and fear in social circles. Old money, older secrets, a family tree with roots that ran deep into the city's foundation.

Noticing my persistent frown, she cupped my cheeks with both hands. Her touch was warm and comforting despite my inner turmoil. "You're my only daughter, my precious girl. Of course I want everything to be perfect for you. Who else would I live for if not you?"

Her words melted my resistance like ice in summer heat, and I managed a small smile despite my anxiety. How could I explain that perfection felt like a cage when the key belonged to someone else?

"Come now, we don't have time to waste. Your fiancé will arrive shortly, and you need to be ready."

Mom immediately sprang into action, pulling the wine-colored dress from its protective garment bag with reverent care. "Arms up, darling," she instructed, and I obediently raised my arms as she slipped the silk fabric over my head.

The dress cascaded down my body like liquid wine, the fabric cool against my skin. Mom's experienced hands worked quickly, adjusting the thin straps, smoothing out any wrinkles, ensuring every detail was perfect.

"Sit," she commanded, guiding me to the vanity chair. "Let me fix your hair."

I watched in the mirror as she worked, her fingers deftly arranging my dark locks into an elegant updo that left my neck and shoulders exposed. A few strategic curls were left to frame my face, softening the formal style.

"Makeup," she murmured, already reaching for the cosmetics laid out on the vanity. Her touch was gentle but efficient as she applied foundation, enhancing my natural features rather than masking them. A sweep of burgundy eyeshadow to complement the dress, mascara to darken my lashes, lipstick in a shade that matched the fabric perfectly.

"Jewelry." She fastened a delicate diamond necklace around my throat - a family heirloom that had belonged to my grandmother. Matching earrings followed, their weight unfamiliar against my earlobes.

"Shoes." She knelt to help me step into the strappy heels that would add four inches to my height, making me tall enough to look Gael Dettling in the eye without craning my neck.

Finally, she stepped back to assess her work, her eyes bright with maternal pride and satisfaction. I examined my reflection one final time in the full-length mirror. The dress hugged my curves perfectly, accentuating every line of my figure. Deep wine color that complemented my pale skin, made my dark hair look richer, my eyes more luminous. The fabric was elegant yet daring, with a slit that climbed to mid-thigh, thin straps that left my shoulders bare, exposing more skin than I was comfortable with.

"You look stunning," Mom breathed, adjusting a strand of my hair. "Absolutely radiant."

But I felt like a doll being dressed for display, beautiful and empty, waiting for someone else to give me purpose.

"Remember," Mom whispered urgently, "Smile, be charming, let them see what a wonderful addition you'll be to their family."

What about what kind of addition they would be to mine? The question died on my lips when someone knocked on the door. Could it be him? How should I react? What should I say?

"Come in."

I turned toward the door, and my breath caught in my throat.

Gael stood in the doorway, devastatingly handsome in a perfectly tailored black suit that emphasized every masculine line of his body. His charcoal hair was swept back with meticulous care, though a few rebellious strands had fallen across his forehead, giving him an air of dangerous sophistication that made my pulse quicken despite my better judgment.

Mom was delighted at the unexpected visitor. "Oh! Mr. Dettling, what a pleasant surprise." She smoothed her dress nervously, clearly flustered by his sudden appearance. "I wasn't expecting you to come upstairs."

Gael's gaze never left mine. "I hope you don't mind the intrusion, Mrs. Morrison. I wanted a moment to speak with Evangeline before we join the others." He responded smoothly.

"Of course, of course!" Mom practically beamed, gathering her purse and the discarded garment bag with hurried movements. "You two should have some privacy before the formal introductions." She paused at my side, squeezing my shoulder gently. "I'll be downstairs making sure everything is perfect for the announcement."

She moved toward the door but stopped beside Gael, looking up at him with maternal warmth. "Take good care of my daughter, Mr. Dettling. She's everything to me."

"I understand," he replied in a tone respectful yet unreadable.

Mom's smile brightened even further at his words. "I'll leave you two to get acquainted properly. Don't keep her too long - the guests are eager to meet the happy couple."

With a final encouraging nod in my direction, she slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.