Chapter 2 Tangled In Desire

Chapter 2 – The Engagement Announcement

Zoey stood frozen in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with an expression she barely recognized-one of cold resignation.

The emerald green gown hugged her figure perfectly, the silk smooth against her skin, but she felt suffocated. Her dark brown curls were styled to perfection, her makeup flawless, yet none of it mattered.

Tonight was the engagement announcement.

The night she was to be officially bound to Eric Sinclair.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her trance. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and her best friend, Olivia Carter, stepped inside.

"Zoey," Olivia breathed, her hazel eyes scanning her face with concern. "Are you okay?"

Zoey let out a dry laugh. "I'm about to be paraded in front of hundreds of people as Eric Sinclair's fiancée. How do you think I'm feeling?"

Olivia sighed, stepping closer. "I still can't believe your father agreed to this."

Zoey clenched her fists at her sides. "He didn't just agree-he pushed for it. The Monroe business is drowning, Olivia. I either do this, or we lose everything."

Her voice wavered slightly, but she refused to let her emotions show.

Olivia grabbed her hands gently. "You don't have to do this."

Zoey forced a small smile. "Yes, I do."

A butler's voice rang through the hallway. "Miss Monroe, it's time."

Zoey inhaled sharply, steeling herself. "Let's get this over with."

The Sinclair Estate – Engagement Party

The Sinclair mansion was even more extravagant than Zoey had imagined. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the grand ballroom, casting a golden glow over the impeccably dressed guests. Laughter and murmured conversations filled the air, but Zoey barely heard any of it.

She stood at the entrance beside her father, her heart pounding as she scanned the crowd. And then, her eyes locked onto him.

Eric.

Dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, he exuded effortless charm. His tall frame commanded attention, his dark hair styled perfectly, his striking blue eyes unreadable as they met hers.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, with the practiced ease of a man who had been raised in the world of high society, Eric approached her, his expression betraying nothing.

"Zoey," he greeted smoothly, extending a hand.

She hesitated before placing her fingers in his. The warmth of his touch sent an involuntary shiver up her spine.

A photographer's flash went off, capturing the moment for the press. She forced a smile.

"Shall we?" Eric murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

Zoey's throat tightened, but she nodded. Together, they stepped onto the stage at the front of the ballroom, facing the expectant crowd.

Eric's father, William Sinclair, raised a glass. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the union of two great families. I am proud to announce the engagement of my son, Eric Sinclair, to the lovely Zoey Monroe."

The room erupted in applause.

Zoey's heart slammed against her ribs as Eric turned toward her. She barely had time to process before he reached for her left hand, slipping a dazzling diamond ring onto her finger.

The weight of it felt heavier than it should.

Eric leaned in, his lips barely brushing her cheek-a show for the audience. To everyone watching, they were the perfect couple. But as Eric pulled back, she caught the flicker of something in his eyes-resentment.

The clapping had barely died down when a shrill voice cut through the crowd.

"Wow. I didn't expect this."

The sound sent a bolt of dread through Zoey.

She turned-and there she was.

Sarah.

The stunning blonde stood near the front, her piercing gaze locked onto Eric. She was dressed in a deep red gown, her expression unreadable-but her presence alone was enough to suffocate the air between them.

Eric tensed beside her.

Sarah took a slow step forward, her lips curling into a smirk. "I guess congratulations are in order, huh?"

The crowd murmured in interest, sensing the tension.

Zoey's fingers clenched at her sides, her chest tightening as realization dawned on her. She's the woman he loves.

Eric didn't say a word.

The silence that followed was louder than any response he could have given.

And in that moment, Zoey knew-this engagement was about to be more disastrous than she had ever imagined.

The air in the grand ballroom grew unbearably thick. Zoey could feel the weight of dozens of curious eyes pressing down on them, watching, waiting for a reaction.

Sarah's smirk deepened as she held Eric's gaze, her confidence unwavering. Zoey's heart pounded, but she refused to look away.

Eric, however, was frozen.

His grip on Zoey's hand loosened ever so slightly, and she noticed the way his jaw tightened-a flicker of conflict flashing in his blue eyes. He was caught between his past and his present, and for a brief second, Zoey felt the sting of humiliation prick her chest.

Sarah crossed her arms, cocking her head. "No response, Eric?" Her voice was laced with amusement, but Zoey caught the slight edge of bitterness beneath it. "Or are you just as surprised as I am?"

Zoey forced herself to stay calm. She wasn't about to let Sarah turn this night into a spectacle. Not when the world is watching.

With a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Zoey turned to face Sarah fully. "Surprised?" she echoed, tilting her head. "You didn't know?"

Sarah's smirk faltered just a little, and that was all Zoey needed.

Sarah recovered quickly, though, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the stem of her champagne glass. "Oh, I knew something was coming. I just didn't expect this." She shot Eric a knowing look. "Did you?"

Eric exhaled sharply, schooling his expression into one of neutrality. "Sarah-"

Before he could say anything more, William Sinclair's deep voice cut through the tension.

"I believe this is a night for celebration," he announced, stepping forward with an air of authority that silenced the murmuring crowd. His sharp gaze flickered between Sarah and Eric before settling on Zoey. "A union between two families is something to be honored, not questioned."

The veiled warning was clear.

Sarah hesitated, but after a brief pause, she let out a soft chuckle. "Of course. My mistake." She lifted her champagne glass in the air. "To Eric and Zoey."

The guests echoed her words, raising their glasses in a toast. But as Zoey clinked hers against Eric's, she felt the tension radiating from him, his grip on the crystal flute just a little too tight.

And when Sarah's eyes lingered on Eric just a moment too long, Zoey knew-this wasn't over.

Not even close.

Later That Night – The Sinclair Estate Balcony

The party had dragged on for hours, but Zoey had finally managed to slip away. She stood by the marble railing of the balcony, staring out at the city lights, the cool night air doing little to calm her nerves.

She heard footsteps behind her.

"You handled that well."

Eric's deep voice sent an unwanted shiver down her spine.

Zoey let out a soft scoff. "Did I?" She turned to face him. "Because I'm pretty sure your girlfriend just humiliated us in front of everyone."

Eric didn't flinch. He simply sighed, rubbing his temples. "Sarah isn't my-"

"Spare me," Zoey cut him off, crossing her arms. "I don't care what she is to you. But next time, try to at least pretend you're happy about this arrangement. You froze back there, Eric." She gave him a sharp look. "That can't happen again."

Eric's lips pressed into a thin line. "You think I wanted this?" He stepped closer, his towering frame making her heart hammer against her ribs. "You think I had a choice?"

Zoey held her ground. "Neither of us did."

A charged silence stretched between them.

Then, to her surprise, Eric let out a low chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "We're going to destroy each other, Zoey."

She met his gaze without hesitation. "Good," she whispered. "Because I have no intention of being the only one suffering in this marriage."

For the first time that night, Eric's lips curved into something that almost resembled a smirk.

And Zoey knew that their twisted vow had just begun.