Chapter 5 Not Just a Contract

Lily had never felt more out of place.

Standing in front of the grand mirror in a luxurious dressing room, she stared at her reflection with disbelief. The dress clinging to her body was a custom-designed navy blue gown, floor-length, with a modest slit that teased just enough leg to make her feel both elegant and exposed. Her hair had been swept into a low chignon, with diamond earrings dangling just above her shoulders.

She looked nothing like the girl who sold flowers outside the metro station two months ago.

But tonight, she was the wife of Damien Blake-at least, in the public eye.

Damien's voice came from behind the curtain. "Are you ready?"

Lily took one last breath and stepped out.

He turned, and for a moment, his usually unreadable eyes faltered.

"You look..." he paused, then cleared his throat, "decent."

Lily laughed softly, raising an eyebrow. "You're not good with compliments, are you?"

"I'm not good with... people," he admitted.

There was a strange honesty in his tone that made her heart flutter.

"You clean up well too," she offered, eyeing his crisp tuxedo and neatly combed hair.

He smirked. "Let's get this over with."

Blake Foundation Charity Gala – Grand Orchid Hotel

The ballroom was packed with the city's elite-mayors, tycoons, celebrities, and influencers. Flashing cameras snapped pictures from every angle. Waiters floated by with glasses of champagne. Laughter and clinking glasses filled the room.

Lily held onto Damien's arm as they entered, the crowd parting like the Red Sea.

All eyes were on them.

"All for the show," she whispered under her breath, smiling for the cameras.

Damien glanced sideways. "You're doing better than I expected."

"Acting's easy when you've had a lifetime of pretending things are okay."

He looked at her-really looked. But before he could reply, a reporter with too much lip gloss swooped in.

"Mr. Blake! Mrs. Blake! One photo for The Society Insider?"

Damien nodded once.

Lily turned to the camera, offering a graceful smile. Damien's arm tightened around her waist as the flash went off.

Then, out of nowhere-

"Damien. You didn't tell me you were bringing your wife tonight."

The icy voice made Lily's skin crawl.

Vanessa.

She wore a silver gown that shimmered under the lights, clinging to her like a second skin. Her smile was sharp as a knife, eyes darting to Lily like she was a roach on a wedding cake.

Damien's voice dropped into a cold, flat tone. "Vanessa."

"Lily, was it?" Vanessa said, offering her hand. "How's married life treating you?"

Lily forced a smile and shook it. "Better than being an ex-fiancée, I suppose."

Vanessa's smirk wavered just slightly.

Before she could fire another insult, Damien interrupted. "Let's not make a scene. This isn't high school."

He steered Lily away, but she could still feel Vanessa's burning gaze on her back.

Later That Night – Balcony of the Gala

The ballroom was too loud, too fake. Lily needed a break.

She stepped onto the balcony, inhaling the cool night air. Below, the city sparkled like scattered diamonds. She leaned on the railing, thinking of Noah. Would he be okay tonight? Would the hospital allow an extra bedtime story?

"You handled Vanessa better than I did," Damien's voice came from behind her.

She turned slightly. "I've dealt with worse."

Damien moved beside her, hands in his pockets. "I meant what I said-don't let her get to you. She thrives on chaos."

Lily nodded, but her voice was barely a whisper. "Do you regret this?"

"This?"

"This marriage. This deal."

He looked at her, long and hard. "No. Not yet."

There was silence again, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

"Thank you," she said after a while.

"For what?"

"For pretending tonight wasn't just a contract. For letting me feel... seen."

His gaze softened for the first time. "You're not invisible, Lily."

She smiled faintly. "You'd be surprised how many people disagree."

The Car Ride Home

Damien and Lily sat in the back of his sleek black Bentley, city lights flashing through the windows as the car sped down the boulevard.

He loosened his tie, glancing at her. "I'll be out of town for two days. Business in Zurich."

Lily blinked. "Zurich? That's sudden."

"Something came up."

She nodded slowly. "Is there anything I should do while you're gone?"

"Keep up the appearances. Carol will coordinate any calls or interviews. And... stay out of Vanessa's way."

Lily smirked. "Trust me, I'm not dying to have tea with her."

He looked amused for a second, then turned serious. "I'll call when I land."

"Be safe," she said, surprising even herself.

Damien looked at her as if he wanted to say something else. But then he just nodded and returned to his phone.

Back at the Penthouse – Alone Again

The moment the elevator doors closed behind her, Lily leaned against the wall and exhaled deeply.

The night had gone well. Too well.

The fake smiles, the compliments, the perfect photos-it all felt like a dream she wasn't sure she wanted to wake up from.

Back in her room, she removed her earrings and stared at herself in the vanity.

You're not supposed to fall for a contract.

But every time Damien looked at her without his mask... every time he lowered his guard just a little... something in her chest ached in ways she didn't expect.

She picked up her phone and opened a photo she had secretly saved-a candid shot of Damien helping a child during a hospital donation campaign. He hadn't noticed the camera, and his expression was softer, almost fatherly.

She smiled.

Maybe he's not as cold as he pretends to be.

But just as quickly, she shook the thought away.

It's just a contract, Lily. Don't forget.