Chapter 2: A Lie In White

The room fell into stunned silence. Richard Bennett’s face drained of color. “What did he say?” Ava whispered. Before her father could answer, the voice outside came again, calm and commanding.

“Mr. De Luca doesn’t like waiting.” Each word landed like a hammer against Ava’s chest. She glanced around the bridal suite as though another door might magically appear. There wasn’t one, the only exit led straight to the man whose name had become synonymous with power, wealth, and ruthless control.

Richard grabbed her hands. “Listen to me carefully.” His grip trembled, you cannot tell him the truth. Ava stared at him in disbelief.

“You still think I can fool him?”

You have to.

“Dad—”

If he discovers Elena ran away before the ceremony, he’ll believe our family humiliated him.

“And?”

He won’t forgive it. She pulled her hands free, so your solution is to humiliate him twice? Richard had no answer.

A heavy knock echoed through the room,the door handle turned. Both of them froze as the door opened slowly. Two men in black suits stepped inside first, their expressions unreadable as they scanned every corner of the room before stepping aside.

Then he entered.

Luca De Luca.

He was taller than Ava had imagined, broad-shouldered beneath a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. His dark hair was neatly combed back, and a silver watch rested against his wrist with understated elegance. He didn’t look like the monster newspapers whispered about, he looked worse. He looked like a man who never raised his voice because he never needed to. His gray eyes swept across the room, taking in every detail before settling on Ava.

Time seemed to stop. He didn’t smile, he didn’t frown. He simply observed her with the quiet patience of someone already certain of the outcome.

Richard cleared his throat.“Mr. De Luca…”

Luca raised one finger. The gesture silenced him instantly, his gaze never left Ava. “So,” his voice was deep, smooth, almost gentle. This is the woman I’ve crossed half the city to marry.

Ava forced herself to breathe.

“Yes.”

He took a slow step closer. Another then another. Every instinct told her to retreat, but her feet refused to move. When he finally stopped, only a few feet separated them.

“You seem nervous, I suppose every bride is.” Not every bride forgets the color of her fiancé’s eyes.

Her heart skipped.

“What?”

“You’ve looked at me three times.” His tone remained calm. Each time as though you’ve never seen me before. Richard quickly interrupted. “Wedding nerves—”

I wasn’t speaking to you. The room fell silent again. Luca tilted his head ever so slightly.“What color are my eyes?”

Ava swallowed, grey. She had noticed the instant he walked in. “They’re…”She hesitated.

“…gray.”

A faint smile touched one corner of his mouth. “So they are.” Relief flickered inside her, then he shattered it. My fiancée always said they were silver.

The air disappeared from Ava’s lungs. Luca stepped even closer until only inches separated them. His expensive cologne carried hints of cedar and spice. “You know what’s interesting?”

She couldn’t answer.

“Silver was her favorite color.” His eyes searched hers with unnerving precision.

“But you hesitated.”

Richard shifted nervously. Luca finally looked toward him, “Would you give us the room?”

Richard blinked. “I’d rather stay.”

“I wasn’t asking.” The authority in those three words left no room for argument. Richard looked helplessly at Ava, she offered the smallest nod. With reluctant steps, he walked out. The door clicked shut behind him, silence stretched between them.

Luca walked toward the window overlooking the gardens. Below, hundreds of guests laughed, completely unaware that the wedding was already falling apart. Without turning around, he spoke.“Do you know what people fear most about me?”

Ava remained silent.

“They think it’s my temper.” He smiled faintly, they were wrong. He turned, it’s my patience. She felt her heartbeat quicken.

I wait.

He took another slow step.

I watch.

Another. And eventually…His eyes locked onto hers.…people tell me the truth. Ava forced herself to hold his gaze. I’m telling you the truth.

“Are you?”

“Yes.” He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and removed a small velvet box. Opening it, he revealed an elegant engagement ring, this ring belonged to my mother. His expression softened for the first time. Elena knew that.

He closed the box.I gave it to her six months ago. A pause, tell me what she said when I placed it on her finger. Ava’s mouth went dry, she had no idea. Luca waited, five seconds, ten, fifteen then he sighed.

“I thought so.” He slipped the box back into his pocket. You’re not Elena Bennett. The words echoed through the room like a judge’s verdict. Ava’s carefully built lie collapsed in an instant. She closed her eyes, there was no point pretending anymore.

“No.”

Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “I’m not.” When she opened her eyes again, Luca was still watching her. Not with anger, not with surprise, but with something far more unsettling.

Interesting.

“You’ve just made a very dangerous confession,” he said quietly. And now you have exactly one chance to explain why you’re standing in my bride’s dress.