The lavish chandelier in the huge mansion glittered like a thousand small stars, lighting the exclusive party with a cosy warmth. Just family friends and close relatives were present, and they wandered about, drinking champagne and chatting. To Raven, it was suffocating.
She stood in the corner of the opulent room, sipping water instead of champagne. Her dress felt heavier than before, her earlier fall still fresh in her mind. The thought of enduring more interactions with Michael and his family made her stomach churn.
Her eyes landed on Michael across the room. He stood with a group of older men, his face serious as always, nodding along to whatever they were saying. Raven recognized the man as Charles Silver, one of the board members of Michael's company. Michael's expression gave nothing away, just cold and distant, like he wasn't really there.
Her gaze stayed on him longer than she wanted, and for some reason, she found herself thinking back to the first time they met.
He was… different. She could still picture it clearly, the way he had smiled at her. She remembered how his words had calmed her, made her feel safe.
That man doesn't exist anymore. The way he carried himself now—cold and unapproachable—felt like a slap in the face. How can someone change so much?
She wondered, "If I hadn't met him that day, would I even believe he had that side to him?"
But then her thoughts darkened. She remembered the words he said to her that had shattered everything. –"I guess that's all it took to get under your skirt,"
The memory hit her, and anger rose in her chest all over again. So that's all it was? All that kindness, all those smiles, just so he could get what he wanted?
"He's cruel, manipulative, and selfish. I'll never forgive him for that. Never."
She took a shaky breath, her eyes still locked on him. He didn't notice her watching—he didn't even seem to care that she was in the same room.
"Good." she thought bitterly. "Because I don't want to have anything to do with him either."
"Why did I even bother coming down here?" she thought.
Just as she thought of slipping away unnoticed, a tall, dark-haired woman in a green dress came over to her.
"Hi, Raven." the woman said, her voice dripping with amusement. "I'm Celeste, Michael's cousin. Welcome to the circus."
Raven blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, thank you… I think?"
Celeste smirked, taking a sip of her drink. "Oh, don't thank me yet. You've married into a family that eats their own. Better sharpen those claws."
Before Raven could respond, a loud laugh came from across the room. She turned to see a young man with boyish charm and a mischievous grin. He was raising his glass, clearly in high spirits.
"That's Lucas," Celeste said, rolling her eyes. "My brother. The black sheep of the family, though he wears the title like a badge of honor."
Raven's gaze lingered on Lucas. He had an air of carefree rebellion that stood in stark contrast to Michael's cold, calculated demeanor.
"I shouldn't be saying this but stay away from Lucas, he's bad news to everyone. See you again." Celeste said before walking out into the crowded room.
"Raven!" a familiar voice called out. She turned to see Annie, hurrying toward her, her floral dress flowing behind her. Beside her was Iris, Raven's best friend, who wore her usual knowing smile.
"Annie, Iris. Thank God." Raven greeted, her voice lighter than she felt.
Annie studied Raven carefully. "You look tired," she said, a hint of worry in her tone.
Raven forced a laugh. "Tired doesn't even begin to cover it." She glanced around the room, her voice lowering. "Do you know how exhausting it is pretending to be thrilled about being the perfect Mrs. Silver?"
"You're pulling it off, though," Iris said with a smirk. "The cameras adore you."
"Yeah, well, they don't see the full picture," Raven muttered. "This family... this name... it's suffocating. I already hate being a Silver."
Annie frowned, her hand brushing against Raven's. "Raven, I'm so sorry you had to do this. I could have- You can still—"
"Annie," Raven cut her off, her voice firm but soft. "It's done. I'm in this now, for better or worse."
Iris raised an eyebrow. "You're strong. If I were you, I'd have been screaming"
Raven managed a small laugh. "Trust me, I've considered it." She sighed, glancing back toward the grand hall where the guests mingled. "It's just... hard. I miss TaeMin and I don't know if I'm going to be okay."
Annie touched her arm gently. "You're going to be okay. And if you ever need to scream, or cry, or even punch someone, we're here."
Iris grinned. "I'll even help you bury the body if it comes to that."
Raven smiled for real this time, a small but genuine expression of gratitude. "Thanks, both of you."
Before anyone could respond, the soft melody of a piano began to float through the grand hall, signaling the couple's slow dance. Raven froze where she stood. She didn't need to look up to know they were all waiting for the perfect picture—the perfect display of love that didn't exist.
"Here we go," Iris murmured beside her, giving Raven a small, supportive smile.
Before Raven could say anything, Michael's tall figure appeared in her sight. She stiffened as he came to stand directly in front of her, his expression unreadable but his presence commanding.
"It's time," he said, his deep voice cutting through the haze of her thoughts.
Raven swallowed hard, her gaze darting to Annie, and back to Iris, whose smile now looked more like pity. No one would save her. Not from this.
Raven forcing herself to move, she placed her hand in Michael's, her fingers trembled as he led her to the center of the room.
As they reached the dance floor, the hall seemed to shrink, the stares of their families and close relatives pressing down on Raven's chest. The music swelled, and Michael turned to face her, placing one hand on her waist while holding her hand with the other. His grip was firm, calculated, as if he were reminding her of who held the control in this situation.
Raven's entire body felt stiff, her movements awkward and unnatural as he guided her into the rhythm of the song. She tried to focus on the steps, but her nerves—and the suffocating proximity of Michael—made it impossible.
Then it happened.
Her foot caught slightly on the floor, and before she could stop herself, she stepped directly onto Michael's shoe.
"I—"
"You could try not to make this worse," Michael muttered, his tone low but sharp enough to sting.
Raven's cheeks burned with embarrassment. Her heart jumped in her chest as she started to get angry.
"Maybe if you didn't hold onto me like a leash, I wouldn't be stepping on you." her voice shakes with the effort to stay composed.
Michael raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Graceful as ever, aren't you? I didn't realize I actually married a klutz."
The words sliced through her like ice. Her cheeks flamed hotter, and she wanted nothing more than to slap that smug look off his face.
Her steps faltered again, this time from anger rather than nerves. She glared at him. "Let me go." she whispered, attempting to pull away.
But Michael tightened his grip around her waist, his fingers digging in just enough to make his point.
"You're not going to embarrass me in front of everyone," he said, his voice icy but controlled. "Smile. Pretend to enjoy it. For their sake."
Raven's chest ached, as she threatened to break free—anger, humiliation. But she put a fake smile onto her face, her eyes burning with unshed tears as she forced herself to keep moving.
The song dragged on for what felt like an eternity, each second a torturous reminder of the charade she was trapped in. Finally, the music swelled to its conclusion, and the room erupted into polite applause.
Michael's hold on her hand didn't waver as he led her off the dance floor with practiced composure. Raven's legs felt like lead as she followed, her entire body screaming to run, to escape the stifling expectations and Michael's suffocating presence.
When they reached Iris and Annie, Michael released her hand with a curt motion. He didn't say a word, didn't spare her a glance, before turning and walking away, his stride confident and cold.
Raven stood frozen, her heart hammering in her chest as she fought to keep her composure. She glanced at Iris, who looked at her with concern, and then at Annie, who still avoided her gaze entirely.
Raven immediately picked up a drink and drank it all without checking its content.
"Hey, take it slow." Iris said, collecting the glass from Raven's hand.
The sound of raised voices drew everyone's attention. Lucas was arguing with an older man, his voice was loud enough to cut through the music.
"I don't care what he thinks," Lucas spat, his face red with anger. "This family doesn't get to decide my life."
The man, whose stern expression mirrored Michael's, stepped closer to Lucas. "You think you're above the rules, Lucas? You think you can just walk away?"
Lucas slammed the door behind him and rushed out of the room before anyone could react.
Michael sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose. "Excuse me," he muttered, walking off in the direction Lucas had gone.
Raven, curious found herself following at a distance after excusing herself from Annie and Iris. She tiptoed Michael through the long corridors of the mansion.
She turned a corner and found him standing with his back to her in the open doorway of a study.
"Are you aware of how nearly you've ruined everything?" Michael hissed, his face inches from Lucas's.
Lucas shrugged, his carefree demeanor fueling Michael's fury. "Calm down, cousin. It's not that deep. So what if I took a little extra? It's not like the company can't afford it."
Michael's fists clenched. "A little extra? You embezzled millions, Lucas! If Charles hadn't caught it—"
"Oh, here we go again with Charles, your lapdog." Lucas sneered, his words slurring. "Your little minion who'll clean up after you. Don't act like you're some saint, Michael. You think I don't know why you married her?" He gestured vaguely, his tone dripping with mockery.
Michael's eyes darkened. "Don't. You. Dare."
Lucas smirked. "You think you're better than me because you wear the crown now? The great Michael Silver, who had to marry some stupid naive little girl just to keep his precious inheritance. Let's not pretend you're above playing dirty, cousin."
Michael's patience snapped. He grabbed Lucas by the collar, his voice low but venomous. "It's not your place to say that about her. Never. And after what you've done, don't assume you'll have a position in this company. You're out—for good—unless you get your act together."
As Lucas shoved Michael off and stumbled back, Raven shifted to get a better view, accidentally stepping on a loose stone. It clattered loudly against the pavement, drawing both men's attention.
"Who's there?" Michael barked, his head snapping toward the shadows.
Raven froze, her heart racing. Slowly, she stepped out, her face carefully neutral.
"You've been eavesdropping?" Lucas scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "What's wrong, Mrs. Silver? Curious about your husband's skeletons already?"
Michael shot him a warning glare. "Get out, Lucas. Now."
Lucas smirked and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I'm done here anyway."
He sauntered away, leaving Raven and Michael alone under the cold glow of the courtyard lights.
Michael moved in closer, shadowing her with his massive frame. "Why are you here?"
"I—" Raven stammered, her cheeks flushing.
Before she could come up with an excuse, Michael took a step toward her again, his expression unreadable.
"You had no business listening to that conversation." he said, his voice dangerously calm.
Raven's throat went dry as she met his piercing gaze, her mind racing for what to say, anything for a way out of this.