Chapter 5

The night before had left me raw.

I’d barely slept. I kept tossing under the weight of what I heard.. and what I saw.

Ryan didn’t know I saw the file.

He didn’t even further ask why I was in the study. He only looked at me for a few seconds before telling me to “get out” and shutting the door behind me like I hadn’t almost fainted inside.

Now, it was gala day. My first public appearance as Mrs. Graham.

Whatever that even meant.

I stood in front of the mirror, half dressed.

A deep wine-colored gown hugged my figure like it had been sewn straight onto my skin.

The neckline dipped, tasteful but bold. My hair was curled and swept over one shoulder in soft waves.

Even I had to admit.. I looked… stunning.

Ryan had hired a professional dresser. Apparently, nothing about his world was halfway.

There was a knock, and Isla stepped in quietly. “The car’s ready, ma’am. The boss is waiting.”

Right.

The boss.

I glanced back at the mirror one last time. My face was calm, but my thoughts were anything but.

The file.

The address.

Ryan… being a substitute.

Was any of this real?

I adjusted the simple diamond earrings Isla had helped put on earlier and stepped out.

The staircase curved gently, its marble steps glowing under the soft lighting. I held the banister lightly as I walked down.

My heels clicked softly with each step, but all I could hear were my thoughts, tumbling over themselves.

He’s not really crippled.

He’s not even the groom they wanted.

So why marry me?

When I reached the last step, I looked up.

Ryan was standing by the door, facing the driveway. He turned when he heard me.

And for a moment, his expression cracked. Just a second. But I saw it.

Something flickered in his eyes.

I could’ve sworn he stopped breathing.

I almost smiled.

Almost.

We walked outside. The evening air was cool, the car sleek and black, waiting like it belonged in a movie. I slid in quietly.

Ryan followed but stayed oddly silent.

It wasn’t until about fifteen minutes into the drive that he finally spoke.

“I know you heard everything last night.”

I stiffened.

My mouth opened. “I… I didn’t mean to.. ”

“It’s fine,” he cut in, voice low but not sharp this time. “You were curious. I would’ve done the same.”

I swallowed and looked out the window. “Still… I shouldn’t have listened.”

He ignored that.

“I am a substitute,” he said simply.

I turned to him.

He stared ahead, unmoved.

“My half-brother was the one promised to your family. But he refused to marry Johanna. So he decided to sabotage the deal. Told them the groom was crippled. Dying.”

My fingers curled into the fabric of my gown.

“But our grandfather… he didn’t back out. The deal was too important. So I took Carl’s place.”

“And the wheelchair?” I asked softly.

He didn’t flinch.

“I needed to play the part. A man ‘dying’ doesn’t walk into his wedding.”

I looked at him. “But why are you telling me this?”

Ryan turned his head. His eyes met mine.

“Because you’re not stupid. And now you know. Whether I like it or not.”

We didn’t speak again for the rest of the ride.

When the car slowed, the driver stepped out quickly and opened Ryan’s door. Ryan got out, straightened his jacket, then came around to my side.

He opened my door and held out his hand.

I hesitated, but slid my fingers into his palm.

Warm. Calm. Not what I expected.

He didn’t say anything, just held on as we walked into the venue together.

People turned.

Gasps.

Whispers.

“That’s Ryan Graham.”

“He’s walking.”

“Didn’t they say he was crippled?”

“What the hell?”

I kept my head up.

Inside, the gala was in full swing.. richly dressed guests, glasses clinking, soft music playing from somewhere behind the giant floral arch.

We were called up shortly after. Ryan gave a short speech, thanking the guests. I stood quietly beside him, trying to look calm. My stomach was tight. I could feel eyes all over me.

When we stepped down from the podium, a round of polite applause followed us.

Then I saw her.

Johanna.

Of course the Bennetts would be here.

Standing by the back with her mother. Their faces were pinched with confusion. Shock.

They hadn’t known.

They thought Ryan was sick. Weak.

He wasn’t.

Their eyes followed us across the room like they were watching ghosts.

Ryan leaned toward me. “I need to greet a few people. I’ll find you in a minute.”

I nodded and off he went.

I didn’t see her coming.

One second I was catching my breath from the crowd’s attention, and the next.. there she was.

Johanna.

Dressed in a body-hugging emerald gown, flawless makeup, diamond earrings that sparkled under the chandelier like they had something to prove.

And that smile.

Sharp. Poisoned at the corners.

“Well, well…” she drawled, blocking my path with her glass of champagne. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

I didn’t flinch. “In me to do what?”

“To play the long game,” she said, her eyes running from my curled hair down to my heels. “To snag a Graham.”

I didn’t respond.

She laughed lightly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “From mugshots to million-dollar events. I gotta say, it’s impressive. Who knew a prison record came with perks?”

“Still obsessed with my past?” I said, lifting my brow. “Thought you'd be too busy keeping up with your Botox appointments.”

Her smile thinned.

“Oh, please, Lucia. Let’s not pretend you belong here. You may have gotten the title, but you and I both know this isn’t real. Just a cover-up marriage, isn’t it?”

My fingers twitched around the clutch in my hand.

She leaned in slightly, voice low. “You think this changes anything? You’re still just the substitute bride. The one they picked to take my place when I said no.”

My jaw tightened, but I stayed still.

She smirked. “You think he wanted you? Don’t fool yourself. You’re a prop. And once the show ends, he’ll toss you back where he found you.”

My heart pounded, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.

“And yet here I am,” I said calmly, “standing next to your supposed groom while you’re seething in a corner.”

She stepped closer, her perfume flooding my nose. “Enjoy the fantasy while it lasts. Because that’s all it is. You’re just borrowing him. Renting the crown. But you and I both know.. he’s not yours.”

“And what would you know about being chosen?” I said, voice low. “You weren’t rejected for me. You were never considered to begin with. That must sting.”

Her face twitched.

“You bitch,” she whispered.

I tilted my head. “That’s Mrs. Bitch to you.”

Then came the voice behind me.

“Is there a problem here?”

Ryan.

His tone was calm, polite even. But there was a warning behind it, cold and crisp.

Johanna turned, her smile reappearing like a mask. “Ryan, darling.”

“Miss Bennett.” His voice was calm. Cold.

He was standing a few feet away, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

“I hope you’re enjoying the evening,” he said politely.

Johanna straightened, schooling her face into something prettier.

“I was just congratulating your wife,” she said quickly, moving toward him slightly. “She looks beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you,” Ryan replied, stepping back just enough to avoid her hand grazing his jacket. “She does.”

Johanna blinked.

He offered her a tight nod, then reached out and laced his fingers with mine.

“She’s stunning,” he added, eyes now on me. “And very much mine.”

Then he looked back at Johanna, polite smile fading.

“Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

He didn’t let her say anything else before he added, “Excuse us.”

He reached for my hand.. confident, easy.. and laced his fingers with mine. His grip was firm. Possessive.

As he guided me away, I felt the burn of Johanna’s glare against my back.

I looked once.. just once.

And I saw her.

Unmasked. Rattled. Enraged.

You thought I was a pawn.

Now watch me play.