Chapter 10 Breaking the illusion

The sharp ring of the phone cut through the silence of the penthouse, making Selena jump. Her pulse, still racing from the unexpected tension of the gala, quickened at the sound. She had barely closed her eyes that night, her thoughts swirling with Damien's words, the kiss, and the emotions she didn't know how to handle.

With a sigh, she reached for the phone, glancing at the screen. It was an unknown number. A small frown creased her brow as she pressed the button to answer.

"Hello?"

"Miss Marchand, this is Sophie from Blackthorn Enterprises. I hope I'm not interrupting."

Her stomach twisted at the name. Sophie. She'd only met the woman once, but her name had quickly become associated with everything that felt wrong about the arrangement between her and Damien. The woman's voice was polished, professional-but there was always something underlying, something sharp, in the way she spoke.

"No, not at all," Selena replied, forcing her voice to sound neutral. She sat up in bed, tucking the sheets around her legs. "What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to inform you about the upcoming event in a few days. The charity gala. Mr. Blackthorn wanted to ensure your dress is ready for the occasion."

Selena's heart dropped. Another event. Another night where she had to play the part of the perfect wife-the obedient, composed woman by his side. It was exhausting, and the walls of the penthouse, despite their luxury, felt smaller every day.

"Thank you for the heads-up," she said, already tired at the thought of it. "I'll be prepared."

"Good," Sophie replied smoothly, but there was something in her tone that made Selena's skin crawl. "And if I may suggest, it might be beneficial to double-check with Mr. Blackthorn on any final details. There's a lot riding on this gala, and it would be a shame if things weren't... perfect."

The veiled warning was clear. Sophie was reminding Selena of her place.

"I'll make sure everything's in order," Selena replied, not bothering to hide the coolness in her voice. "Thanks again."

The call ended with a soft click, leaving Selena in the quiet solitude of the penthouse. She dropped the phone on the bed, her fingers shaking slightly. It was clear that her marriage, her life within the Blackthorn empire, was about appearances, about maintaining a carefully constructed illusion. And no matter how much she tried to fight it, she was bound to that illusion.

A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, her voice distant.

The door creaked open, and there stood Damien, his posture straight, his eyes unreadable. He had removed his tuxedo jacket, rolling up his sleeves, but there was still a coldness to him. He always seemed to exude a controlled, almost predatory air, as though everything was under his command.

"Selena," he said, his voice low, "We need to talk."

Her heart skipped a beat. She could hear the weight of the conversation in his words, and despite her best efforts, she could feel the heat rising in her chest, the anticipation of what was to come.

"About what?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest as if to ward off the emotions she knew were about to surface.

"About us," Damien said, his gaze piercing through her. "The way things are going, this arrangement-it's becoming more than just business, and you know it."

The words hung in the air, sharp and sudden. Selena felt her breath catch, her pulse thudding louder in her ears. She'd been trying so hard to keep things business-like between them, to maintain the distance between them. But now, with his words, everything was starting to unravel.

"What do you mean?" she managed, her voice softer now, a little breathless. She couldn't keep up the facade anymore. She was feeling too much-too much confusion, too much desire, too much of everything that didn't make sense.

Damien stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. The air between them thickened, charged with an electric tension that Selena couldn't ignore. He reached out, placing his hand gently on her arm, the touch too intimate, too personal.

"Stop pretending, Selena," he said quietly, his thumb brushing over the delicate skin of her wrist. "I know you feel it too. The way we're drawn to each other. The way this... contract, this marriage, is slowly breaking us both down."

She shivered at his words, the weight of truth settling over her. She had known it, felt it, from the very first moment they'd come together. But she had never wanted to admit it. She had never wanted to acknowledge the chemistry, the unspoken bond between them. It was too dangerous, too unpredictable.

But Damien was right. There was something happening between them. Something that went beyond the contract. It was raw, messy, and utterly consuming.

"I don't want this," she whispered, not meeting his eyes. The admission felt like a betrayal. "I don't want to want you."

Damien's grip tightened slightly on her arm, his jaw clenching. "You don't have a choice," he murmured. "Not anymore. Neither of us does."

The intensity in his voice made her stomach flip, and she could feel the pull of him, even as she tried to resist. She wanted to step back, to put distance between them, but his presence was magnetic, drawing her in like a storm she couldn't escape.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the air between them thick with unresolved tension.

And then, without warning, Damien closed the gap between them. He cupped her face in his hands, his touch gentle yet insistent. His lips found hers in a kiss that was nothing like the last one. It was slow, deliberate, as though he was savoring the taste of her.

Selena's heart pounded in her chest as she felt the heat of his kiss seep into her very bones. She wanted to pull away, to stop this madness before it consumed her completely. But she couldn't. Not when every part of her was screaming to feel more, to feel everything he was offering.

When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing heavily, their eyes locked in a silent battle.

"I don't want this to be a game anymore," he said, his voice low, a dangerous edge to it.

"Neither do I," she replied, her breath shaky.

He kissed her again, this time with more urgency, and Selena knew, without a doubt, that she had crossed a line. There was no going back. No escaping the fire that had ignited between them.