The Masked Heiress; A love story hidden in betrayal and family secrets

Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE: A DEAL SEALED IN SILENCE

Ariella stood still as the driver pulled the limousine to a halt in front of the grand stone gates of the Delacroix estate. Her hands were clammy against the folds of her satin gown, her throat dry despite the bottle of water she had nursed for the past hour. The weight of what she was about to do pressed heavily on her shoulders.

She was not supposed to be here.

Sabrina was.

But her sister had run away, leaving nothing behind but a note and a mess Ariella had no choice but to clean up.

Ariella's eyes darted to the mansion ahead. Lights shimmered from the tall glass windows. The sound of a string quartet drifted through the air. Everything about the estate screamed wealth, power-and danger.

"You sure about this?" the driver asked, throwing her a glance from the rearview mirror.

Ariella forced a tight smile. "Do I have a choice?"

The man gave a small shrug and popped the door open. Ariella stepped out, her heels clicking against the stone pavement. Her gown shimmered silver under the soft lights, hugging her form like second skin. She had done her hair exactly how Sabrina always wore it-long curls swept to one side-and her makeup was pristine. No one would suspect the switch.

The doors opened before she could raise her hand to knock.

And there he was.

Xander Delacroix.

The man her sister was supposed to marry.

The man Ariella now had to deceive.

Tall, commanding, with eyes as cold as the diamonds his family traded, Xander was every bit as dangerous as the rumors claimed. His gaze scanned her from head to toe, lingering a beat too long on her face. A flicker of something passed through his eyes-recognition, suspicion, or maybe something darker.

"You're late," he said, voice smooth like aged whiskey.

Ariella dipped her head slightly. "Fashionably."

He didn't smile.

Xander stepped aside, letting her enter. The scent of mahogany and aged wine hit her as soon as she crossed the threshold. Rich paintings adorned the walls. There was no warmth here, only calculated luxury.

"Your room is upstairs. Third door on the left," he said. "We'll speak after the party."

Ariella gave a tight nod. Every instinct in her body screamed to turn around and run, but she climbed the stairs, each step heavier than the last.

Inside the room, she exhaled.

The door clicked shut behind her.

She dropped the mask for just a moment, letting the panic surface. What had she gotten herself into?

She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Sabrina stared back. The same soft brown eyes, same full lips, same mole under the left ear. They were twins, after all. But Ariella was softer, quieter, the shadow Sabrina never acknowledged.

And now, she was stepping into her sister's role-into a marriage contract with a man who could destroy her if he ever found out.

Hours later, Ariella descended the staircase, composed once again. The ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers and designer suits. The elite of the city mingled, laughed, toasted to false dreams.

All eyes turned as she entered. Whispers rose like smoke.

"There she is... the future Mrs. Delacroix..."

"She looks... different."

"She looks scared."

Ariella smiled, playing the part. Sabrina would have soaked in the attention, but Ariella? She just wanted to survive.

Then she saw him.

Xander stood at the far end of the ballroom, glass in hand, watching her like a hawk. He didn't smile. He never did.

He strode over to her, each step deliberate. When he reached her, he offered his arm. "Smile," he said under his breath. "We don't want people getting ideas."

She obeyed, placing her hand on his.

The cameras flashed.

Xander leaned down, whispering close to her ear, "I don't know what game you're playing, but if you lie to me, I'll find out."

Ariella's heart thudded painfully.

And in that moment, she knew-

This was not just a marriage contract.

It was a cage.

And she had just locked herself inside.