Alina stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection as a wave of nerves crept in. Tonight was the night—the family dinner. She had to play her part, pretend everything was perfect, and convince her family that she and Victor were a happy, loving couple.

But deep down, she knew the truth.

She wasn’t the kind of woman to get nervous. Challenges never rattled her. Yet, the idea of sitting across from her family, with Victor by her side, made her stomach twist in ways she didn’t understand. She didn’t want to involve herself with him more than necessary. She just wanted to get through the evening and return to her carefully controlled life.

But then there was him.

Victor unsettled her. Not just because of the circumstances surrounding their so-called marriage, but because of something deeper—something she couldn’t put into words. She felt different around him, and she hated it.

Shaking off her thoughts, she focused on what she could control: her appearance.

She pulled on a sleek black suit, the tailored fabric fitting her perfectly. The structured shoulders of her blazer gave her an air of authority, while the slim-cut pants accentuated her long legs. Underneath, she wore a crisp, white silk shirt, the top two buttons undone just enough to add an edge to her otherwise formal look. Her high heels clicked against the floor with confidence, each step reinforcing the power she held.

Her makeup was subtle yet striking—winged eyeliner that sharpened her gaze, a soft blush on her cheeks, and deep red lips that made her look both fierce and untouchable. As a finishing touch, she sprayed on her favorite perfume, the scent lingering in the air like a signature of her presence.

She was ready. Or at least, she had to be.

At the Office

When Alina arrived at her company, her employees greeted her with quiet respect, stepping aside as she passed. She had built her reputation on discipline and hard work, and she expected nothing less from those who worked for her.

Inside her office, she barely had time to settle before a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” she called, not looking up from the documents on her desk.

Ema, her assistant, stepped inside, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Unlike Alina’s sharp, commanding attire, Ema’s outfit was softer—an elegant navy-blue blouse tucked into a fitted pencil skirt, paired with nude heels. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her makeup was natural, highlighting her warm features.

“The dinner plans are confirmed,” Ema informed her. “Everything is set.”

Alina nodded, barely acknowledging the words. She had too much on her mind already.

At Home

After finishing her work, Alina returned to her apartment, exhaustion settling into her bones. Her mind was still running through scenarios for the evening ahead, trying to figure out how she was going to pull this off.

She didn’t notice Victor standing by the door until she nearly walked straight into him.

Before she could react, his hand reached out, steadying her by the arm. His grip was firm but gentle, his touch sending an unexpected jolt through her.

“Careful, my dear wife,” he murmured, his voice deep and smooth, laced with something that made her breath catch.

For a moment, Alina froze. She wasn’t sure if it was because of his voice, the way he looked at her, or the realization that her heart had just skipped a beat. She quickly composed herself, stepping out of his grasp.

“Thank you,” she said, keeping her tone cold.

Victor smirked slightly, his dark eyes studying her. “No need to thank me. I’ll always be here to catch you.”

Something about the way he said it sent a shiver down her spine. She forced herself to ignore it.

“I need to get ready,” she said instead, brushing past him toward her room.

Victor didn’t stop her, but as she walked away, she could feel his gaze lingering on her—like he knew something she didn’t.