All Chapters of One Bride, Two Masters : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Days has passed and it was just two days before the audition, Clara worked hard to help Lena prepare. She set a chair by the window so the sunlight fell on Lena’s face.“Lean back,” Clara said as she applied a cool face mask. “This will make your skin look fresh.”Lena closed her eyes. The scent of aloe and honey was calm and soft.She could hear Clara humming a quiet tune.“You are helping me too much,” Lena said.Clara smiled. “It is my duty to make sure you shine, ma’am.”After removing the mask, Clara helped her practice walking.“Straight shoulders. Look ahead. Slow steps.”Lena walked across the room.Her legs shook a little.Clara clapped once. “Better. Let’s watch another model.”She opened a video on her phone professional runway clips.Tall women walking slowly and confidently.Lena tried again. Her steps were steadier now.“You will do great,” Clara said with a proud grin......Finally it was the Audition DayOn the morning of the audition, Lena stood in front of the mir

Lena stepped into the mansion, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. For the first time in a long while, she joined the family for dinner. The dining room was warm, the long table set with polished silverware, candles flickering gently. The aroma of roasted chicken, fresh herbs, and baked bread made her stomach rumble. “Finally decided to join us?” Damian asked sharply, his eyes narrowing on her. “Living my life,” Lena said simply, her voice calm. Damian cursed under his breath. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he turned his gaze away, muttering to himself. Darius, sitting across from him, continued eating in silence. No glance, no smile just the rhythmic sound of his fork against the plate. Lena’s chest tightened a little. His stoicism had always unsettled her, but tonight it bothered her more than usual. She tried to focus on the food, but her mind wandered. The events of the day played over in her head: Adrian Volkov catching her just before she fell, the sleek black car

Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains and touched Lena’s face. She blinked, stretched slowly, and for the first time in a long while… she woke up excited. She sat up fast. Today was the day. Clara entered right on time, a bright smile on her face. “Good morning, Lena. Ready?” Lena nodded eagerly. Clara opened the wardrobe row after row of clothes Damian had stocked up for her since their wedding. Most had never been touched. Clara pulled out a silk cream shirt, black fitted office trousers, and sleek high heels. “This one screams confidence,” she said. Lena stared at the outfit. She liked it. It looked like a woman with dreams would wear it. “Thank you, Clara.” After dressing, Clara fixed her hair in a neat low bun and handed her a small perfume bottle. “Go win today.” Lena laughed nervously. “I hope so.” Outside, the black sedan was already waiting. Their personal driver, Mr. Collins, stepped out and opened the door with a warm bow. “Good morning, Lena,” he said.

Ding! Lena jumped a little at the loud notification sound that came from her phone. Her heart danced for a second, thinking it was more good news. She quickly unlocked the screen… And froze. “We regret to inform you that you have been disqualified from the competition.” Her breath caught. Her throat tightened. Disqualified? She read it again. And again. It didn’t change. The audition. The dream she had looked forward to. The one she stood on stage for. The one where Adrian Volkov saved her from falling… A small laugh left her lips. It didn’t sound like her. It sounded broken. “Why?” she whispered. Her hands’s grip on the phone weakened. But then she remembered… Today was not a day to be sad. Today… she had her first design appointment at Volkov Jewels. She wasn't going to let that ruin her day. Her first real chance to build something of her own. To become independent. To be proud of her work. She inhaled deeply and wiped away the tiny tear forming at the corner of

When Lena reached the mansion, she stood outside her door for a moment. The house lights were off except for the small lamps on the walls. The black car parked a short distance away finally drove off after she got inside the gate. But her heart did not settle. She took a deep breath, leaned against her bedroom door, and let her thoughts run. That black car. That mysterious number. Those constant watchful eyes. All along… it was Adrian. She paced the length of the room, hugging herself without noticing. “Why…?” she whispered. Why would someone like Adrian follow her around the city? Why would he watch her secretly? She sat on her bed and unlocked her phone. The unknown number that had been calling her for weeks stared right back at her. Without thinking too much, she pressed call. The phone rang once… twice… Then... Click. A voice she now recognized far too well answered: “Lena.” Her heart stopped for half a second. It was him. “Adrian…” she breathed, unable to form