Chapter 7 - The Fiancée Who Made One Fatal Mistake
Victoria Sterling smiled as though she hadn't just threatened a woman's life.
I wanted to slap her.
Instead, I watched Adrian.
He didn't move.
Didn't shout.
Didn't reach for his phone.
He simply looked at the necklace.
"Where is Isabella?"
Victoria tilted her head.
"That's a very rude way to greet your future wife."
"Where is my sister?"
Her smile faded.
"You know what I want."
Adrian stepped closer.
"An engagement announcement."
"Exactly."
"And then?"
"A beautiful wedding. A business partnership. A peaceful future."
I couldn't stop myself.
"You forgot the part where you threaten innocent people."
Victoria turned toward me.
Her eyes traveled slowly over my body.
Then she laughed.
"Adrian, seriously? This is what you're entertaining yourself with?"
My cheeks burned.
I'd heard cruel comments before.
But something about her tone made my hands tremble.
She looked at my hips.
My stomach.
My inexpensive blouse.
"Sweetheart, men like Adrian don't marry women like you."
I swallowed.
Before I could respond, Adrian spoke.
"Victoria."
His voice was dangerously quiet.
She turned.
"What?"
"Don't speak to Mara that way."
Victoria blinked.
Then laughed.
"Oh, this is adorable."
Adrian stepped beside me.
"If you have something to say, say it to me."
Victoria's expression hardened.
"Fine. You have until eight tonight. Announce our engagement at my father's charity gala, or Isabella disappears permanently."
She headed toward the door.
Then paused.
"And Adrian?"
He said nothing.
"Be careful who you trust. Especially women who kiss strangers for money."
The door closed.
Silence filled the office.
I stared at the carpet.
"She's right about one thing."
Adrian turned toward me.
"What?"
"I'm not someone who belongs in your world."
He looked genuinely confused.
"Why would you want to belong in my world?"
I laughed bitterly.
"Because apparently, I'm supposed to pretend to be your girlfriend."
Adrian approached.
"Mara, look at me."
I didn't.
"Mara."
Slowly, I raised my eyes.
"Victoria sees people as investments. Their money. Their appearance. Their usefulness."
He paused.
"I don't."
My throat tightened.
"Then what do you see?"
He studied my face.
"A woman who walked toward a stranger despite being frightened. A sister who has sacrificed everything for her brother. Someone who tells the truth even when lying would be easier."
I stared at him.
Nobody had ever described me that way.
Then Adrian added softly, "And for the record, I thought you were beautiful before you kissed me."
My breath caught.
He stepped back.
"Now we have a gala to attend."
I blinked.
"What?"
"Victoria expects an engagement announcement."
"And?"
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"We're going to give her a surprise."
At eight that evening, I walked into the Sterling Foundation gala wearing a dark emerald dress Adrian's stylist had helped me choose.
I felt beautiful.
Terrified.
But beautiful.
Hundreds of wealthy guests filled the ballroom.
Victoria stood beside the stage, smiling confidently.
Adrian took my hand.
Then approached the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "I have an announcement."
Victoria stepped forward.
But Adrian tightened his fingers around mine.
"Tonight, I'd like to introduce the woman accompanying me."
The room fell silent.
He turned toward me.
"Mara Bellamy."
Victoria's smile vanished.
And then Adrian said something that stunned everyone.
"She is the woman I intend to pursue, and I won't be entering any arranged engagement."
Before the shocked guests could react, a waiter brushed past me.
Something slipped into my hand.
A folded note.
I opened it beneath the table.
Three words were written inside.
Bella is alive.
May you like
And beneath them was a warning.
Don't trust Marcus.
