CHAPTER TWO

Jeffery’s name still hung in the air like a gunshot.

Angelie’s fingers stiffened around the hem of her coat. She looked at Lucas, searching his face for a hint of bluff. A twitch. A lie. But he looked entirely too pleased with himself.

“You said he wouldn’t be a problem,” she said slowly.

Lucas shrugged, shutting the door behind her. “Plans change.”

“How soon is he back?”

Lucas turned toward the grand staircase, loosening his tie like her presence was an afterthought. “A few days. Three, maybe. Long enough for us to file the license and start making the press rounds.”

Her stomach flipped.

“You’re pushing this,” she said, suddenly aware of how fast everything was moving. “You want him to see it, don’t you?”

Lucas stopped halfway up the stairs and looked down at her. “I want him to know he lost.”

“That’s not what this is about for me,” she said, jaw tight. “This is about saving Tim.”

He bent his head. “Then we’re both getting what we want. Isn’t that the foundation of a good marriage?”

Her hand balled into a fist. “You’re a terrible person.”

Lucas grinned. “And yet, here you are. So what does that make you?”

The guest room she was led to might as well have been a hotel suite. Neutral beige walls, floor-length curtains, and a bed big enough to sleep five of her. But Angelie felt like a trespasser. Even in her skin.

There was a dress laid out on the chaise lounge. Ivory, lace-backed. Simple. Beautiful. Expensive.

A note sat beside it, scribbled in sharp black ink.

You’ll need this for tomorrow’s press shoot. They want the new fiancée to look radiant. – L

She tore it in half and threw it in the trash.

She barely slept that night. Her mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Would Jeffery believe she’d agreed to this willingly? Would he see her walking down the aisle in a white dress and feel nothing?

Or worse, would he never know the truth?

By morning, she’d rehearsed a hundred ways to break the news gently. And a hundred more where she said nothing and just let him hate her.

Lucas was waiting in the hallway with a black coffee and a smirk. “Still here. Impressive.”

“I’m not here for you,” she said quietly.

“No,” he said, sipping. “You’re here because you’re desperate. And desperation’s a hell of a leash.”

**************

The press event was held at a luxury hotel downtown. Photographers milled around the lobby while stylists touched up Angelie’s hair and makeup. Lucas kept a possessive hand on her lower back the entire time, like she was property.

A reporter leaned in with a fake smile. “Miss Smith, how did you and Mr. Lu meet?”

Angelie’s mouth went dry.

Before she could answer, Lucas cut in smoothly, “She was working in reception at Lu Corp when I first saw her. Took one look and knew she wasn’t just another pretty face.”

Angelie forced a smile. The camera flashes nearly blinded her.

Another reporter asked, “Is it true this relationship began shortly after your brother left for his overseas expansion trip?”

Lucas chuckled. “It’s true that Angelie helped me see things my brother never could. Some people miss the diamonds under their nose.”

Angelie nearly flinched at the jab.

Jeffery’s name didn’t come up again, but his shadow hung over every word.

*****

That night, Angelie stood in front of the guest room mirror, still in the ivory dress. Her curls were falling out. Her lipstick was smudged. She looked like someone pretending to be someone else.

She touched her lips. Thought of that kiss in the elevator. Thought of his hand lingering on her shoulder a second too long. The way he looked at her like she mattered.

And then she thought of Lucas, of his smug grin and razor-sharp words.

And of Tim, weak and pale, depending on her.

She reached for her phone and stared at Jeffery’s contact again.

Still nothing. Still overseas.

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

She opened the door, expecting a housekeeper.

It was Lucas.

He leaned against the doorframe with that same irritating smirk. “You were beautiful today.”

She didn’t respond.

“I have the court registrar scheduled for Monday,” he added. “And a designer flying in for the real wedding gown.”

She stepped aside to let him in, if only to stop talking through a crack in the door.

He walked in, casually running a finger along the dresser edge. “You know, if you stopped looking like you’re heading to your execution, people might believe this is a love match.”

She crossed her arms. “You don’t want a love match.”

“No. I want a show. You? You want salvation. Seems fair.”

Angelie stared at him. “Do you enjoy hurting him that much?”

Lucas’s jaw twitched. For the first time, something flickered behind his eyes, something dark.

“He had everything,” Lucas said softly. “The company. The name. The old man’s respect. And yet somehow, he still thought he was entitled to you.”

“I wasn’t with him.”

“But he wanted you. And he doesn’t get to have everything.”

Angelie exhaled shakily. “And I’m just… collateral.”

Lucas stepped closer. “You’re leverage. And you agreed to it.”

She didn’t flinch. Didn’t move. Just met his gaze, steady.

“Yes,” she whispered. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t make you regret every second of it.”

Lucas gave a slow smile. “There she is. The girl with a backbone.”

He turned to leave, pausing at the door. “Jeffery lands on Tuesday.”

And then he was gone.

Angelie closed the door slowly, her breath shallow.

Tuesday.

Three days.

Three days until everything she was pretending would have to face the one man she could never lie to.

And she wasn’t sure what would hurt more, him walking away…

Or him trying to stay.