Chapter 3 Trapped in the spotlight

Chapter 3: Trapped in the Spotlight

The clock on my nightstand ticked loudly, each passing second reminding me of the inescapable storm ahead. I was expected to attend a dinner party that night, the first formal event where Alex and I would make our debut as a couple. The thought made my stomach churn. Pretending to be in love with someone I hardly knew-and now resented-felt impossible.

But I didn't have a choice. My father had made that clear.

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the satin fabric of the pale blue dress my mother had chosen for me. It clung to me in all the right places, a masterpiece of elegance and sophistication, but I felt anything but beautiful. I felt like a fraud.

A knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. I turned to see Alex standing in the doorway, his tuxedo tailored to perfection. He looked like the epitome of confidence, but his expression was hard to read, as always. His dark eyes flicked over me briefly before settling on my face.

"You ready?" he asked, his tone devoid of warmth.

"Do I have a choice?" I shot back, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice.

He smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Not really. Let's get this over with."

We rode to the venue in silence, the tension between us palpable. I kept my gaze fixed out the window, watching the city lights blur past as I tried to calm the storm brewing inside me. This was just one night, I told myself. One night of pretending. I could survive it.

---

The dinner party was held at an extravagant ballroom, the kind of place that screamed wealth and power. Chandeliers glittered overhead, casting a warm glow over the sea of impeccably dressed guests. My father and Richard Vance were already mingling, their laughter ringing out above the hum of conversation.

As soon as we entered, all eyes turned to us. Whispers rippled through the crowd, curious gazes assessing the "happy couple." Alex slid his hand around my waist, the gesture so smooth it almost felt natural. Almost.

"Smile," he murmured under his breath, his lips barely moving.

I forced a smile, even as my stomach twisted into knots. His touch burned against my skin, a reminder of both our shared past and the facade we were now trapped in.

We made our way through the crowd, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with people whose names I couldn't remember. Every word felt rehearsed, every laugh hollow. I could feel Alex watching me out of the corner of his eye, his expression unreadable. It was infuriating how composed he seemed while I was barely holding it together.

As the evening dragged on, I excused myself to the restroom, desperate for a moment alone. I locked the door behind me and leaned against the sink, my hands gripping the edge as I tried to catch my breath.

This isn't my life. This isn't my life.

I repeated the words like a mantra, hoping they would somehow ground me. But the reflection staring back at me in the mirror was unrecognizable. The girl I used to be-carefree, full of dreams-was gone. In her place stood someone I didn't know. Someone who felt trapped.

A sudden knock on the door startled me. "Jade?" Alex's voice called out, muffled by the wood. "You've been in there for a while. Are you okay?"

I wanted to tell him to go away, but I knew I couldn't. Taking a deep breath, I unlocked the door and stepped out. Alex's brows furrowed slightly as he studied me, a flicker of concern breaking through his usual indifference.

"I'm fine," I said quickly, brushing past him.

---

The rest of the evening passed in a blur, but it wasn't until we were back in the car that Alex finally broke the silence.

"You looked like you were about to bolt back there," he said, his tone casual but laced with something deeper.

I turned to him, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "What do you care? You're the one who's fine with all of this. You don't seem to have a problem pretending."

His jaw tightened, and for the first time, I saw a crack in his facade. "You think this is easy for me? You think I want this?"

"Then why don't you fight it?" I snapped. "Why don't you stand up to your father instead of just going along with everything?"

Alex let out a bitter laugh. "You think I haven't tried? My father doesn't take no for an answer. Trust me, Jade, I've fought this more than you know. But at some point, you have to accept reality."

His words stung, but I refused to let them break me. "Maybe you've given up, but I haven't. I won't let them control me."

"Good luck with that," he muttered, turning to look out the window.

---

By the time we returned to my parents' estate, I was emotionally drained. I headed straight for my room, eager to escape the world for just a few hours. But as I reached my door, I overheard voices coming from my father's study down the hall.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I crept closer, pressing myself against the wall to listen.

"Everything is going according to plan," my father was saying, his tone smug. "The merger will be finalized by the end of the month."

"And Alex?" came Richard's voice. "Is he still playing his part?"

My father chuckled. "He doesn't have a choice. And Jade... well, she'll fall in line eventually. She always does."

Anger and betrayal surged through me. I knew my father was controlling, but hearing him talk about me like I was just another piece on his chessboard was a new low. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought the urge to burst into the room and confront him.

Instead, I turned and fled, my heart pounding as I made my way back to my room. I needed to think, to figure out a way to regain control of my life. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that escaping this situation wouldn't be easy. My father and Richard had too much power, too many resources. If I was going to break free, I'd have to be smart. Careful.

I lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling as a plan began to form in my mind. I didn't know if it would work, but it was the only chance I had.

---

The next morning, I found Alex in the garden, sipping coffee as he read through some documents. He glanced up as I approached, his expression neutral.

"We need to talk," I said, my voice firm.

He raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"I want out of this marriage," I said bluntly. "And I think you do too."

Alex leaned back in his chair, studying me carefully. "Go on."

"We work together," I continued, "but only to convince them that we're playing along. Meanwhile, we figure out a way to end this without destroying our lives."

Alex was silent for a moment, his gaze piercing. Finally, he nodded. "I'm listening."

A spark of hope ignited within me. For the first time, I felt like I wasn't completely alone in this fight. Together, maybe we could find a way to escape the chains our fathers had wrapped around us.

But as Alex and I shook hands to seal our agreement, a sinking feeling settled in my gut. This was just the beginning. And I had no idea what dangers lay ahead.