Chapter 5 5

The following morning, Lila awoke to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains. She blinked away the remnants of sleep, her mind immediately returning to the reality she now faced. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to linger in the warmth of the bed, trying to savor the fleeting peace before the day ahead consumed her. But it didn't last long.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her back into the present. She reached for it, half expecting another message from Dominic, but instead, it was a calendar notification. The charity gala was tonight, and she had less than twelve hours to prepare.

Lila sighed, sitting up and stretching. She glanced at the gown still draped over the chair, its pale gold fabric shimmering in the morning light. It was beautiful, of course, but like everything else in her new life, it felt like a costume-something to hide behind, rather than an expression of who she truly was.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," Lila called out, expecting to see Clara or one of the staff Dominic had mentioned.

The door opened, and a tall, impeccably dressed woman entered the room. She carried herself with an air of efficiency, her dark hair pulled into a sleek bun and her sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on Lila.

"Good morning, Mrs. Westwood," she said in a crisp, professional tone. "I'm Evelyn, Mr. Westwood's assistant. I'll be helping you prepare for tonight's event."

Mrs. Westwood. The name felt foreign, like it belonged to someone else. Lila forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Thank you, Evelyn. What's the plan for today?"

Evelyn stepped further into the room, glancing at the gown before turning back to Lila. "We have appointments scheduled for hair, makeup, and styling. I've also arranged for a private fitting to ensure the dress is tailored perfectly. The car will pick you up in an hour."

Lila nodded, grateful for the distraction. The more time she spent focusing on the details of the gala, the less time she had to dwell on her marriage-or the man she'd married. She didn't have the emotional energy to think about Dominic or what their future might look like. Not yet.

Evelyn was nothing if not efficient. Within an hour, Lila found herself whisked away to an exclusive salon, where a team of stylists worked tirelessly to transform her. They fussed over every detail, ensuring that every strand of hair was perfectly placed, every stroke of makeup flawless. Lila sat quietly, letting them do their work, her mind wandering to the evening ahead.

She had attended charity galas before-usually as the planner, ensuring everything went smoothly behind the scenes. But tonight, she would be on the other side, the one in front of the cameras, standing by Dominic's side as his wife. The thought made her stomach twist with nerves. She wasn't used to being the center of attention, and she wasn't sure she was ready for it.

By late afternoon, Lila was back at the mansion, slipping into the gold gown that had been tailored to fit her perfectly. As she stood in front of the full-length mirror, she barely recognized the woman staring back at her. The gown clung to her curves, its delicate fabric shimmering with every movement. Her hair was styled in loose waves, cascading down her back, and her makeup was soft but dramatic, accentuating her eyes and high cheekbones.

She looked beautiful, but she didn't feel it. She felt like a stranger, someone playing a role in a world she didn't belong to.

A knock at the door startled her, and she turned to see Dominic standing in the doorway. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, every inch the powerful billionaire. His eyes swept over her, and for a moment, there was something in his gaze-something that made Lila's breath catch. Was it approval? Desire? She couldn't tell.

"You look... exquisite," Dominic said, his voice low and smooth.

Lila felt her cheeks warm under his intense gaze, but she forced herself to remain composed. "Thank you."

Dominic stepped into the room, closing the distance between them. He moved with the same quiet confidence that had always unnerved her, as if he was in complete control of everything around him-including her.

"Tonight is important," he said, his tone businesslike. "There will be media, important people watching us. We need to present ourselves as a united front."

"I understand," Lila replied, her voice steady. She had known from the start that this marriage was more about appearances than anything else. Tonight would be her first real test.

Dominic's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he offered his arm. "Shall we?"

Lila hesitated, then took his arm, her heart pounding as they made their way downstairs. The car was waiting for them at the entrance, sleek and black, just like everything else in Dominic's world. As they climbed inside, Lila couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into a performance, a carefully crafted illusion that they both had to maintain.

The drive to the gala was quiet, the tension between them palpable. Lila kept her eyes on the passing city lights, trying to calm the nervous flutter in her stomach. Dominic, as always, seemed perfectly composed, his face a mask of calm control.

When they arrived at the grand venue, the paparazzi were already waiting. Cameras flashed as soon as they stepped out of the car, the crowd pressing forward to get a glimpse of them. Lila's hand tightened around Dominic's arm, the sudden onslaught of attention overwhelming her for a moment.

"Smile," Dominic whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "Remember, we're the perfect couple."

Lila forced a smile, her lips feeling stiff as the cameras continued to flash. Dominic guided her through the crowd with ease, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back. He exuded confidence, his every movement smooth and deliberate, as if he was born for this world of wealth and power.

Inside the ballroom, the atmosphere was just as glamorous as Lila had expected. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden light over the room. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, and the scent of roses and expensive perfume was almost overwhelming.

As they made their way through the crowd, Lila caught snippets of conversation-whispers about Dominic, about their marriage, about the mystery surrounding her. People were curious, speculating about the woman who had captured the attention of one of the most powerful men in the city.

But Dominic didn't stop to talk to anyone. He led her straight to the center of the room, where they were greeted by the host of the event, a silver-haired man with a broad smile.

"Dominic! So good to see you," the man said, clapping Dominic on the shoulder. "And this must be your lovely wife."

Lila smiled politely, shaking the man's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," the man said with a wink. "Dominic, you've certainly found yourself a beautiful bride."

Dominic's arm tightened around her waist, his smile never faltering. "She's more than beautiful," he said smoothly. "She's everything."

The words were perfect, the delivery flawless, but Lila knew better. They were just another part of the act, another layer of the lie they were selling to the world.

As the night wore on, Lila played her part as the dutiful wife, smiling and nodding at the right moments, engaging in polite conversation with the other guests. But all the while, she felt Dominic's presence beside her, his touch a constant reminder of the deal they had made.

At one point, he leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "You're doing well."

Lila shivered at the feel of his breath against her skin, her heart skipping a beat despite herself. There was something dangerous about him, something that both frightened and intrigued her. She had no idea what lay beneath the surface of the man she had married, but she couldn't deny that he had a pull on her-a pull she wasn't sure she could resist.