Chapter 4: The Interrogation

Aria felt her heart drop into her stomach. Her breath hitched, and for a terrifying second, the room seemed to spin.

​He knows, her panicked mind screamed. He knows I’m an imposter.

​She stared back at Alexander, trying desperately to keep her facial expression neutral. But the intensity of his gaze was suffocating. His sharp black eyes were analyzing her every micro-expression—the rapid rise and fall of her chest, the pulse fluttering wildly in her throat, and the genuine fear reflected in her eyes.

​"I... I don't know what you mean, Alexander," Aria choked out, trying to force a laugh that sounded brittle and fake. "Of course it's me. Who else would I be?"

​Alexander’s expression remained stone-cold, but his thumb moved from her jawline, brushing against the rapid pulse point on her neck. "Brianna Sterling is arrogant, loud, and treats everyone beneath her like trash. She wouldn't freeze up when I touch her. She wouldn't apologize for being late. And most importantly..."

​He leaned in closer, his dark voice dropping to an intoxicating, dangerous whisper against her ear. "...she has never looked at me with fear in her eyes. She looks at me with greed."

​Aria swallowed hard, her mind racing to construct a plausible lie. "People change, Alexander. Is it so unbelievable that I might be nervous on my wedding day?"

​"Change doesn't happen overnight," Alexander replied smoothly.

​He didn't pull away. Instead, he maintained his overpowering posture, keeping her pinned between his arms. The sheer heat of his body and the subtle scent of sandalwood and rain wrapped around her, making it nearly impossible to gather her thoughts.

​"If you're trying a new tactic to get more money out of me, it won't work," Alexander continued, his dark gaze dropping to her trembling lips before returning to her eyes. "Our marriage contract is clear. You play the perfect, obedient wife in public, and your family's debts disappear. But if you try to cross me..."

​He let the sentence hang in the air, the unspoken threat heavy enough to fill the entire room.

​"I understand," Aria whispered softly, looking down at his crisp white shirt. "I just... I just want to survive this, Alexander."

​Her tone was quiet, raw, and completely devoid of the sharp sarcasm Brianna usually threw at him. Alexander frowned slightly, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his features. He released his grip on her jaw and took a single step back, giving her room to breathe.

​"You look exhausted," Alexander said, his tone shifting back to his usual guarded indifference. "Change out of that dress. The maid left something for you in the closet."

​Aria let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Where... where are you going?"

​"To my study. I have work to attend to," he said, walking toward the door. Just before turning the handle, he stopped and looked back at her over his shoulder. "Don't bother waiting up for me, Mrs. Vance."

​With that, the heavy doors clicked shut, leaving Aria alone in the vast, quiet bedroom.

​She collapsed onto the edge of the massive bed, burying her face in her hands. Her entire body was shaking from the adrenaline rush. She had managed to survive the first night, but Alexander was far more perceptive than her family had warned her. He was suspicious, and it was only a matter of time before the facade completely crumbled.

​Aria looked toward the large windows, watching the rain streak down the glass against the backdrop of the glowing city skyline.

​Where are you, Brianna? she thought bitterly. And how long am I going to have to live a lie for you?