Chapter 3 The Prince and the Palace

Jesse had never seen so much marble in his life.

The Sterling Estate wasn't a house-it was an empire wrapped in glass, stone, and designer silence. From the black iron gates guarded by actual men in suits, to the sprawling circular driveway where a fleet of luxury cars glittered in the sunlight, everything screamed one word:

Power.

He stepped inside and nearly tripped over a butler.

"Sir," the man said with a deep nod. "Welcome. I'm Marcus, Miss Sterling's chief house manager."

"Right," Jesse said, glancing at the staff lined up along the hall like soldiers awaiting inspection. "You've got... a small army."

"They're efficient," Alina said behind him, removing her sunglasses. "I don't believe in doing things twice. Or doing them myself."

Jesse blinked at the gleaming marble floors, the crystal chandeliers, the fresh-cut orchids arranged like art installations.

"You live here alone?" he asked.

Alina walked ahead, heels tapping like a ticking clock. "Alone is underrated."

As they passed through a gallery hallway-lined with modern art that probably cost more than his old neighborhood-Jesse stopped in front of a sculpture that looked like two twisted metal hearts.

"What's this one called?"

"'Affection Fatigue,'" Alina said dryly. "By a French artist who only works during breakups."

"Cheerful."

She shot him a look. "You'll get used to it. Come on."

She led him through another set of doors into a vast dressing chamber-wardrobe didn't even begin to describe it. Floor-to-ceiling shelves held rows of tailored suits, designer shoes, watches that ticked louder than his bank account.

Jesse turned in a slow circle. "Do you dress every boyfriend that walks in here?"

She smirked. "Only the fake ones."

She picked up a dark navy Tom Ford suit and held it to his chest. "This'll do."

He eyed it warily. "That thing costs more than my student loans."

"That's why it's perfect," she said, thrusting it into his arms. "You're about to become the most polished lie the city's ever seen."

As he stepped into the dressing room, Jesse paused and looked back at her. "You know, for someone who says she doesn't believe in love, you sure know how to dress it up."

Alina tilted her head. "I don't need love, Jesse. I need a story the world will believe. And tonight, you're going to play the lead."