Chapter 2

The moment I felt him approach, I knew I had failed.

Not because anyone had pointed me out.

Not because a scene had been made.

But because the air around me changed—subtly, decisively.

"The view is much better from inside"his deep, gravelly tones sliced the air between us.

Dominic Blackwood!!!!.

I didn’t turn around immediately. My brother’s voice echoed in my head, sharp and clear.

Keep low. Don’t attract attention. Observe only.

I had done everything right. I had blended in. I had stayed at the edges. I had spoken to no one of importance.

And yet somehow I had still been noticed.

“You’ve been watching me."

His voice came from behind me, low and even, carrying no anger—only certainty.

I turned slowly, schooling my expression into polite confusion.

“I beg your pardon?”

He stood closer than I expected. Not invading my space, but near enough that I could see the faint crease between his brows, the way his eyes sharpened when he focused. He was taller up close, broader, his presence calm but heavy—like a closed door that didn’t need to be slammed to make a point.

“You’ve been staring,” he said again. “Since you arrived.”

Several responses flashed through my mind. Deny. Apologize. Retreat.

Instead, I chose confidence.

“I think you’re mistaken,” I said evenly. “This is a party. People look around.”

His eyes narrowed—not in anger, but in assessment.

“I'm not a man who enjoys playing games"he scowled.

I lifted my chin slightly. “I don't understand what you're talking about"I returned.

A pause.

Not an uncomfortable one. A dangerous one.

He studied me openly now, no longer pretending otherwise. His gaze moved from my face to my body to the way I held myself—straight-backed, composed, unflinching.

“You’re lying,” he said quietly.

My heartbeat quickened, but I kept my expression smooth.

“I’m not.”

He leaned in just enough that only I could hear his next words, causing his legs to meet the hem of my voluminous skirt.Then to secure his advantage he placed a hand on the pillar to my left. With no room to pass him on the side of the window,I was trapped!

"You have been watching me all evening and I find it a decidedly uncomfortable sensation"he said coldly.

"I apologize if I've caused you discomfort,I do confess to having been observing you, I'm an artist and I find your face interesting "I replied.

For the first time, something flickered across his face.

Surprise.

It vanished almost instantly, replaced by that same unreadable calm.

“I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Dominic Blackwood ".

"I'm pleased to meet you Mr Blackwood ",I smiled, hoping that in the dark he would not read the panic in my eyes.

Around us, the party continued, blissfully unaware of the quiet confrontation unfolding just beyond its center. Music swelled. Glasses clinked. But in this small pocket of space, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of us.

For a long moment,he stood patiently waiting,but as the silence continued he frowned darkly,"It's your turn".

"I'm Wendy".I lied.

"Wendy"he repeated the name as if testing its authenticity.

And with that he turned and walked away, swallowed almost immediately by the crowd that parted instinctively to let him pass.

I exhaled slowly, only now realizing how tense my shoulders had become.

Idiot, I scolded myself.

My brother had warned me. He had trusted me to stay invisible.

And instead, I had drawn the attention of the one man I wasn’t supposed to.

By the time I decided to leave the party, my nerves were stretched thin.

Not because of the crowd or the music or the subtle weight of wealth pressing in from every direction—but because of him.

Dominic Blackwood had confronted me, accused me, dismissed me, and walked away as though the encounter meant nothing. And yet, the echo of his presence lingered long after he disappeared into the crowd.

The orchestra swelled behind me as I made my way toward the exit, moving calmly, confidently, as though I were merely another guest growing tired of the evening. No one stopped me. No one questioned me.

And most importantly—he didn’t look back.

At least, not that I noticed.

The night air outside was cool and quiet, a sharp contrast to the warmth and noise of the ballroom. I descended the wide marble steps slowly, heels clicking softly, and followed the curved path that led away from the estate.

Only when I reached the gate did I allow myself to relax.

It was over.

I hailed a cab at the end of the street, slipping inside and giving the driver my address. As the car pulled away, I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes.

I didn’t see the black sedan merge onto the road a minute later.

The cab dropped me off two blocks from my apartment. I paid quickly and stepped onto the sidewalk, adjusting my coat against the chill.

Home.

The building was small but well-kept, its windows glowing softly in the night. Familiar. Safe. I climbed the steps and unlocked the door, slipping inside with a quiet sigh of relief.

Sitting down on the couch,I kicked off my heels and closed my eyes.