The clock struck eight, and Maya stood in front of the full-length mirror, her reflection a stranger. Her hair was styled into a soft wave, her dress—a deep crimson satin—hugged her curves in all the right ways, and her makeup was flawless, though she barely recognized herself beneath the layers.
She wasn't Maya Cole anymore. Tonight, she was Mrs. Elias Vale, the woman who was supposed to be married to a man she barely knew. The thought made her stomach churn.
The penthouse was quiet, save for the faint sound of classical music drifting through the speakers. A soft knock at the door broke her thoughts.
"Ready?" Elias's voice was smooth, calm, like always.
She turned, meeting his gaze for the first time that evening. He was dressed in a tailored black tuxedo, his hair neatly styled, and his posture stiff, as if the man who had once stood casually in front of her now wore the mantle of a perfect, untouchable billionaire. He was all business, no emotion.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Maya replied, her voice tight. She forced herself to take a deep breath.
Elias smiled—though there was little warmth in it—and offered her his arm. "Don't worry. It's just a few pictures, a couple of interviews. We'll make it through."
Her heart pounded in her chest as she took his arm. Just a few pictures. A couple of interviews. She had no idea what kind of life she was stepping into, but she couldn't back out now. Not after signing the contract.
The press event was held at one of the most luxurious venues in the city—an upscale ballroom adorned with glittering chandeliers and marble floors. Celebrities, business moguls, and the elite of society milled around, laughing and talking in hushed tones. Maya felt out of place, like an imposter among them, despite the opulence surrounding her.
And then they were announced.
"Please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Elias Vale!"
The applause was immediate, and a wall of cameras flashed at them, blinding and relentless. Maya stiffened, her body suddenly rigid as she smiled and nodded, trying to keep her composure. She'd been prepared for the event—Elias had briefed her, coached her on what to say, how to act—but nothing could have prepared her for the suffocating attention that came with being his wife.
Elias led her through the room, his hand warm on the small of her back, guiding her like they were a perfectly orchestrated display. He was all charm, smiling for the cameras, speaking with ease to the reporters, while Maya struggled to keep her own nerves in check.
For the first time, she realized how deep the lies went. This wasn't just a marriage for appearances. It was a life she was stepping into—a world she had no place in. A world of lies and secrets. A world where nothing was as it seemed.
They stopped in front of a row of reporters, and Elias leaned in, his arm lightly wrapped around her waist.
"Mr. Vale, Mrs. Vale!" a reporter called out, microphone thrust in their direction. "Tell us, how did you two meet? This is such a whirlwind romance!"
Maya's stomach dropped. She shot Elias a quick glance, but he just smiled, his gaze never wavering.
"We met under unusual circumstances," Elias said smoothly, his voice calm and assured. "But it didn't take long for me to realize that Maya was exactly who I needed by my side."
The words were rehearsed, perfect, but Maya couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something more. The way he said her name—like it was a declaration, a promise. It made her heart skip.
"And Maya," the reporter continued, "How does it feel to be thrust into the spotlight like this? A beautiful woman and the wife of one of the wealthiest men in the world—what's it like?"
Maya's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "It's… overwhelming. But I'm proud to be here with Elias. This is a new chapter for both of us."
She spoke the words, but they tasted foreign in her mouth. She was proud? Proud to be pretending? To be caught up in this elaborate lie?
The cameras flashed again, their blinding lights a stark reminder of the life she'd just stepped into. She had to keep smiling. Keep acting. She could already feel the weight of the fake marriage settling on her shoulders.
"Mr. Vale," another reporter called, stepping forward. "There have been rumors about your family and some legal issues. Is it true that your marriage to Maya is part of a strategy to distance yourself from these problems?"
Maya's breath caught in her throat. She glanced at Elias, who had gone still beside her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, she thought he wouldn't answer.
Then, with a calmness that sent a shiver down her spine, he turned to the reporter.
"We've had our fair share of challenges," Elias said, his voice low and controlled, "but this marriage is about moving forward. The past is behind us."
The room fell silent for a beat, before the reporters resumed their barrage of questions. Maya couldn't focus. The way Elias had answered the question—there was something in his voice that made her feel like there was far more at stake than just a marriage. A façade. A play for the public.
When the event finally ended, Maya's feet ached in her heels, her head spinning with everything she'd been forced to endure in the last few hours. Elias had maintained his cool, his charm never faltering, but Maya felt like she was suffocating in the role she'd agreed to play.
As they left the ballroom, Elias turned to her, his face still impassive.
"You did well," he said, his voice cold, professional. "But we've only just begun."