Chapter 5 4

The ballroom was a glittering sea of opulence. Chandeliers cast a warm golden glow over elegantly dressed guests, their conversations muted by the soft strains of a live orchestra in the corner. Grace tried to focus on her breathing, the grandeur of the room making her feel even more out of place.

Sebastian leaned in, his voice low and controlled. "Relax. You're supposed to look like you belong here."

She shot him a glare, her tone sharp. "Easy for you to say. You were probably born in a tuxedo."

His lips twitched, but he didn't reply. Instead, he guided her through the crowd, his hand on her back a steady reminder of his presence.

"Sebastian!" A booming voice called out from across the room.

Grace turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man striding toward them. His salt-and-pepper hair was impeccably styled, and his tailored suit suggested he was someone of importance.

"Richard," Sebastian greeted, his tone polite but devoid of warmth. "Good to see you."

The man's sharp eyes landed on Grace, and his expression softened into curiosity. "And who is this lovely lady?"

Sebastian's hand tightened slightly on Grace's back. "Richard, meet Grace Parker, my fiancée."

For a moment, the words didn't register. Then Grace blinked and managed a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Fiancée?" Richard repeated, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Well, I'll be damned. I didn't think you had it in you, Cole. Congratulations."

Sebastian inclined his head. "Thank you."

Richard turned his attention back to Grace, his eyes appraising. "You must be a special woman to tame this one. Tell me, how did you manage it?"

Grace froze. Her mind raced, desperately searching for the "story" they'd agreed on. But before she could respond, Sebastian stepped in smoothly.

"She didn't have to tame me," he said, his voice carrying just the right mix of charm and sincerity. "She just had to be herself."

Richard laughed, clapping Sebastian on the shoulder. "Well, I'll drink to that. Grace, welcome to the madness."

"Thank you," Grace said softly, her cheeks flushing.

As Richard moved on to mingle with other guests, Grace let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"You could've warned me about him," she muttered under her breath.

Sebastian arched a brow. "And miss watching you improvise? Where's the fun in that?"

Before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Well, this is a surprise."

Grace turned and felt her stomach drop. Standing before them was a stunning woman in a crimson dress that hugged her slender frame like a second skin. Her dark hair was swept into an elegant updo, and her red lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Natasha," Sebastian said, his voice cool but polite.

The woman's gaze flicked to Grace, her smile sharpening. "You must be the famous Grace Parker. I've heard so much about you."

Grace offered a stiff smile, every instinct screaming that this woman was trouble. "And you are?"

"Natasha Blake," the woman said, extending a perfectly manicured hand. "Sebastian and I have... history."

Grace hesitated, but before she could respond, Sebastian's voice cut through the tension.

"That's enough, Natasha." His tone was clipped, his eyes cold.

Natasha's smile didn't falter, but her gaze lingered on Grace. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of intruding. Congratulations, you two. I'm sure you'll be very happy together."

With a graceful pivot, Natasha disappeared into the crowd, leaving Grace and Sebastian standing in awkward silence.

"Care to explain?" Grace asked, her voice low.

"Not here," Sebastian replied curtly.

She glared at him, but the steely determination in his eyes made it clear he wasn't going to budge. Reluctantly, she let it go-for now.

As the night wore on, Grace found herself fielding endless introductions and smiling through countless conversations. The role of Sebastian's fiancée was exhausting, and by the time they finally left, her feet ached, and her patience was wearing thin.

The car ride back to her apartment was quiet, the tension between them thick. Finally, Grace couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Who is Natasha?" she demanded.

Sebastian's jaw tightened, but he didn't look at her. "She's irrelevant."

"She didn't seem irrelevant," Grace shot back. "She seemed like someone who knows exactly how to get under your skin."

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Natasha and I were involved years ago. It ended badly. That's all you need to know."

Grace crossed her arms, her frustration boiling over. "If she's going to keep showing up and throwing her history with you in my face, I think I deserve more than that."

Sebastian finally turned to her, his dark eyes unreadable. "I'll handle Natasha. You just focus on your part."

Grace stared at him, searching for any sign of vulnerability beneath his carefully controlled exterior. But as always, he was a fortress-impenetrable and unyielding.

"Fine," she said quietly, looking away.

The car pulled up in front of her building, and Grace stepped out without another word. As the door closed behind her, she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just glimpsed a crack in Sebastian's armor-and that whatever lay beneath was far more complicated than she'd anticipated.