Chapter 4 A Concealed Stunner

There was no denying it-Cole's looks had reeled Elliana in the moment they met. Her mind had gone places, spinning stories that had no business leaving the realm of fantasy. But the truth? When it came to intimacy, Elliana was a dreamer, not a doer. She might flirt with the idea, but following through had never been her style.

The moment Cole's fingers brushed the edge of her gown, instinct took over. Without thinking, she lashed out, aiming a sharp slap straight at his face.

Cole reacted in an instant, his reflexes as sharp as a blade.

In the next breath, Elliana's balance slipped and she crashed to the floor, but not before Cole had already plucked off her veil-and her wig-with surgical ease.

A river of chestnut hair tumbled down her back, shimmering under the soft lighting like spun silk. In that moment, she didn't look real-she looked ethereal.

The mask she'd worn for years shattered in an instant. For fifteen years, she'd sold the lie-sickly, fragile, a girl with damaged hair and an unattractive face. And now, thanks to Cole, all of it unraveled in seconds.

One knee planted on the bed, Cole studied her like a puzzle piece he hadn't expected. Her glossy hair framed her face, still faintly marked from his recent move, and something in his gaze shifted-deep, unreadable.

The whispers had made their rounds through all of Ublento. People had claimed Elliana layered on makeup to hide her ruined face, and some even claimed they'd caught a glimpse beneath it, insisting her skin was scarred and terrifying.

However, moments earlier, Cole's fingers had brushed across her cheek, wiping away a smear of foundation. What peeked through wasn't mangled flesh-it was skin like porcelain, soft and smooth, as if even the air might bruise it.

Looking closely, Cole saw the truth. Her face was a work of quiet beauty-elegant lines, graceful proportions, and eyes that shimmered with depth like stars caught in motion. Underneath all that heavy makeup, she wasn't just attractive-she was striking. Without the camouflage, her beauty could've easily lit up a room.

Cole lifted an eyebrow, clearly entertained. The unattractive bride who had landed in his life out of the blue turned out to be a concealed stunner. Now this was getting intriguing.

Elliana noticed the perilous curl of Cole's lips, and a sharp wave of regret swept over her. She should've played it safer tonight. Too late now.

She had first believed that Cole, while dangerous, was the cold and controlled type. She pictured him as a composed man who wouldn't dare cross the line. But now she saw just how mistaken she'd been. This man was wildly unpredictable, swinging between polished gentleman and reckless rogue, impossible to get a read on. He could wear the mask of a composed aristocrat one moment and throw it off to become a reckless storm the next. Whatever scale of danger she'd measured him by-it wasn't nearly high enough.

Originally, Elliana thought tonight would be the last time she'd wear this ridiculously heavy and ugly makeup. She was ready to reclaim her identity and showcase her true self. But after meeting Cole, she knew better. With a man like him, keeping her true face hidden wasn't a choice-it was survival.

Cole broke the silence. "Could you explain what you were trying to do?"

Elliana fumbled for words. "I just... I didn't want to give you a lousy experience."

"No worries. Your face might be a mess, but that body's something else. I'll just switch off the lights and take my time enjoying it."

Elliana figured he was joking-until the room went pitch-black and her stomach dropped. He'd actually meant his words. She muttered to herself, "This bastard really has no shame."

She had barely a moment to respond before the shadow of his figure loomed closer. In a rush of panic, she bolted for the balcony, but the heavy layers of her wedding gown dragged at her steps. Quick and precise, he closed in once more and slammed her down, her back striking the unforgiving floor with a jarring thud.

Frustration boiled under her skin. Every fiber screamed to tear the dress off, toss it aside, and wrestle him down until one of them surrendered.

"Have you completely lost it, Cole?" Elliana snapped, fury cracking in her voice.

Most men would've run for the hills after seeing her made-up disaster of a face. But Cole? He didn't even blink. He was clearly wired differently.

A low chuckle rumbled from his throat as he leaned in, his breath ghosting against her neck like a warning. His tone lowered, rough and laced with mischief. "We should make some noise."

"Excuse me?"

"Grandpa's panicking that I'll leave you alone at the wedding night. He planted someone outside to listen in. If we don't put on a show, they'll be stationed at our door every night until you've got a baby bump."

"You asshole!" Elliana let out a breath of frustration. "If making noise is so important, then go make it yourself!"

The tension in Elliana's chest was impossible to miss-every breath sharp with fury. In the shadows, Cole's grin turned even more devilish as his hand traveled to her waist and gave her a sudden, sharp pinch.

"Ah!" Startled, she jerked beneath him, feeling a mix of pain and tickling.

Right then, the muffled footsteps outside finally drifted off down the hall.

Cole, however, showed no intention of letting her go. Instead, he leaned in near, his breath grazing her ear as he said, his tone thick with amusement, "Honey, you certainly know how to make some noise in the bedroom."

Flushed and fuming, Elliana swung for him again. Cole, sensing she'd had enough, lifted his hands in surrender and stepped away with a grin.

Crossing the room, he flicked the switch, flooding everything in warm light.

The sudden glow made Elliana squint. Her vision took a moment to adjust, blinking through the haze.

She couldn't see herself, but right then, she sprawled on the floor, hair in disarray, wedding gown bunched around her. Chaotic, yes. But there was something untamed and magnetic in that moment.

Cole's gaze grew even more intense. "Well, is it your plan to keep lying there? You're beginning to make me wonder if you were just playing hard to get."

Elliana's breath hitched, but she didn't dignify him with a reply. She pushed herself off the floor, hauling the heavy gown with her as she stormed toward the dressing room.

Dozens of neatly hung outfits greeted her inside. Without hesitation, she locked the door, tore off the suffocating dress, and slipped into a black tracksuit. It felt like armor-light, easy to move in, and ready for anything. If Cole tried something now, she'd make him regret it.

The moment Elliana stepped out, she stopped cold. Whatever she'd expected-this wasn't it.