Chapter 1 - The Perfect Illusion
Vanessa’s smug smile vanished so quickly it almost looked painful.
Her new boyfriend, the supposedly wealthy surgeon, immediately took a step back.
Ryan Blackwood did not just stand behind me.
He completely commanded the space around us.
His hand rested warmly and firmly on my bare shoulder.
I could feel the heat of his touch radiating through my icy skin.
"Your husband?" Vanessa choked out, her voice suddenly trembling.
I was entirely too shocked to form a single coherent word.
Ryan didn't wait for my brain to catch up with my mouth.
He smoothly stepped to my side and intertwined his strong fingers with mine.
"We wanted to keep it private until the right moment," Ryan said effortlessly.
His deep, calm voice sent a sudden shiver directly down my spine.
"But seeing how concerned you are about Ellie’s happiness, I suppose the secret is out."
Vanessa’s face turned a brilliant, ugly shade of crimson.
She opened her mouth to argue, but Ryan’s piercing gaze silenced her instantly.
"If you'll excuse us, my wife promised me this dance," he added smoothly.
He gently guided me away from the singles table before I could even take a breath.
The entire ballroom seemed to part for us like the Red Sea.
Whispers erupted from every single table as we walked toward the center of the dance floor.
"What are you doing?" I finally managed to whisper as he pulled me into his arms.
"I am saving you from a terrible conversation," Ryan replied softly.
His dark eyes locked onto mine, completely ignoring the hundreds of people staring at us.
"Why would America's youngest billionaire pretend to be married to a diner waitress?" I asked.
A faint, mysterious smile played at the corners of his perfectly sculpted mouth.
"Maybe I just hate watching arrogant people win," he murmured.
I followed his perfectly timed steps to the slow jazz music playing in the background.
For the first time in three months, the crushing weight in my chest actually felt lighter.
But the magical illusion was abruptly shattered by a sudden commotion near the entrance.
One of Ryan’s massive security guards hurried through the crowd and tapped his shoulder.
"Sir, we have a minor security situation at the front doors," the guard whispered urgently.
Ryan didn't let go of my waist, his expression remaining dangerously calm.
"Who is it?" Ryan asked without missing a beat of the music.
"It is a man named Daniel Sterling, and he is demanding to see the bride's cousin."
May you like
My heart completely stopped beating inside my chest.
Daniel was here, and he was walking directly onto the dance floor toward us.
