Chapter 5 Five.

The cameras flashed like lightning as Elara stepped onto the red carpet beside Joseph, the slit of her wine-red satin gown catching just enough air to show elegance-but not enough to hide her nerves. Every fiber in her body screamed to run. But she tightened her grip on his arm instead.

"Smile," Joseph muttered under his breath, jaw locked.

She forced a grin. "Like I'm not dying inside? Sure."

"Ten minutes," he replied, eyes still sweeping the crowd. "Just hold it together."

"And then what? You toss me back in that penthouse like a good little prop?"

He didn't answer.

"Mr. Taylor! Elara! Over here!"

Joseph's grip around her waist tightened, hand curling around her like a brand. The flashes blinded her, the noise, the pressure-it was all too much.

Then the crowd shifted.

And the air changed.

A ripple of whispers followed the woman walking in.

Elara turned, and her breath hitched.

She was... stunning.

Blonde waves cascaded over an emerald silk gown that hugged every curve like it had been painted on. Her skin glowed, her posture screamed royalty. She didn't walk-she owned the ground she stepped on.

"Who is that?" Elara whispered.

Joseph didn't reply. He stood stiff beside her, gaze fixed ahead.

The woman's laughter floated across the crowd, light and polished, like it belonged in a luxury perfume ad.

Elara couldn't tear her eyes away. She felt small. Overdressed and underdressed at the same time. Her gown suddenly felt cheap. Her makeup? Off. Her confidence? Gone.

But it was the ring that caught her attention-huge, vintage, glinting on Helena's finger.

God, Elara thought, you could feed a family for a year with a ring like that.

Or maybe... save Lena. Start fresh. Pay off debt. Get out of this nightmare. That ring was more than jewelry-it was a ticket to freedom.

And she didn't even know the woman's name.

The whispers grew louder.

"...That's Helena Voss..."

"...She used to date Joseph..."

"...I thought she was in Europe..."

Elara blinked. Her lips parted slightly.

Wait. What?

She turned to Joseph slowly. "Did you know she'd be here?"

He stayed silent.

Her blood ran cold. "You're not going to say anything?"

Helena stepped closer through the crowd like a queen descending from her throne. Her gaze swept the carpet-then landed on Elara.

And she smiled.

Not warmly.

Not kindly.

But like she'd already won.

"Oops!" Helena gasped dramatically as she "accidentally" brushed past Elara-her champagne glass spilling all over Elara's satin dress.

Gasps echoed.

Elara stumbled back. "What the hell-?"

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Helena said sweetly, already pulling a napkin from a nearby server and dabbing at the red stain with fake concern. "How clumsy of me. I didn't even see you there!"

Elara stared at her. "Are you serious?"

"I swear, these gowns-so slippery!" Helena laughed lightly, eyes glinting. "Oh no, it's ruined, isn't it? That must have been... what brand was that? Oh, I'm sure it's replaceable."

She smiled innocently.

Elara stood frozen, trying not to lose her mind in front of fifty cameras.

Joseph hadn't moved. Hadn't said a word.

People were watching.

Snapping pictures.

And Helena knew it.

"You poor thing," Helena cooed, still dabbing at Elara's chest with a cloth she didn't ask for. "Red satin's so unforgiving, isn't it?"

Elara stepped back, holding her arms out. "I said I'm fine."

Helena's eyes twinkled. "Of course you are, darling."

She turned to Joseph like Elara didn't exist. "You clean up nicely, Joseph. Still favor the black suits, I see."

Joseph's jaw twitched. "Enjoy the event, Helena."

She pouted. "Is that all I get? Not even a hello?"

He said nothing.

Helena's smile dimmed just a little. "Hmm. Interesting."

Then she turned back to Elara. "Anyway, I hope you're enjoying your... moment. You look... cute. That red shade? Bold choice."

Elara blinked, jaw clenching. "Thanks. You too. Very... green."

Helena chuckled. "It's emerald. Custom."

Of course it was.

The ring flashed again as she brushed a curl behind her ear.

Elara's stomach twisted.

It was just a ring.

But God-it looked like power.

"See you inside," Helena sang, turning with one last over-the-shoulder smile.

When she was gone, Elara spun to Joseph. "Who the hell was that?"

He didn't answer.

"You knew her."

Silence.

"You let her embarrass me!"

He adjusted his cuff. "It's over. Move on."

"Move on? She poured her drink on me in front of reporters and you stood there like I was invisible!"

Joseph gave her a bored look. "Don't start."

Her voice dropped into a whisper, deadly quiet. "You let her humiliate me."

"You handled it."

"You didn't even defend me."

He met her gaze, unreadable. "That's not in the contract, is it?"

Elara's heart cracked clean down the middle. She turned away, blinking back tears.

People still watched them. The press whispered. Flashes still came, even though her moment was already over.

She climbed into the car without another word, shoulders stiff, dress stained, pride in shreds.

Inside, she stared out the window, fingers curled around her ruined clutch.

That woman. That goddess in emerald. She had power, beauty, and grace. She had presence.

And Elara?

She had none of it.

Only one thought echoed in her head as the car pulled away:

If I had that ring... Lena and I could have a different life.

Maybe that was the worst part.

Not the humiliation.

Not Joseph's silence.

But the truth-that no matter how hard she tried to pretend...

She would never be in their league.