Arriving at the Gala
The ballroom was like a scene ripped straight out of a billionaire's daydream—crystal chandeliers, silk tablecloths, and waiters gliding across the floor carrying trays of champagne that probably cost more than my rent. The crowd was a sea of designer dresses and tailored suits, every face carefully made up to hide the fact that this wasn't a charity event—it was a gladiator ring for the social elite.
I felt the weight of a hundred eyes the moment we stepped inside.
Jackson was beside me, looking far too relaxed for someone walking into the lion's den. He'd scrubbed up well, I had to admit, the black tux fitting him like it was made for him—though he'd already loosened the tie and left his hair in its signature messy waves. He had that effortlessly rebellious look, like James Bond if Bond couldn't be bothered to follow MI6's dress code.
"You clean up well," I muttered as we paused near the entrance.
He grinned, sliding his hands into his pockets. "And here I thought you liked me better in leather."
The whispers started before we even reached the champagne table.
---
The Plan
As I scanned the room, I reminded myself of the goal: charm the guests, repair my reputation, and prove to the world that Jackson and I were not the disaster the tabloids were making us out to be.
Jackson, however, didn't share my enthusiasm.
"So," he said, leaning closer, his breath warm against my ear. "What's the game plan, Mrs. Carter? Smile and wave, or just let them hate us in peace?"
"The plan," I replied through gritted teeth, "is to act civilized for two hours. Try not to cause a scene."
He smirked, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Define 'scene.'"
I shot him a glare.
---
Unbeknownst to us, Ethan had already put his plan in motion.
Sipping champagne across the room, he watched us with a calculating gaze. Next to him stood Andrew Carter, Jackson's older brother, impeccably dressed and ready to cause trouble.
Ethan leaned in close, his tone smooth as silk. "You know what to do. Just… make it public."
Andrew nodded, his expression unreadable.
---
As Jackson and I navigated the crowd, the whispers became impossible to ignore.
"Is that him?" one woman murmured. "The bad boy husband?"
"I heard he's the reason the Harpers are in trouble," another added.
"Poor Lila," someone else said, their voice dripping with fake sympathy. "It must be so hard for her, dealing with all this scrutiny."
I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap back. Jackson, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed, flashing a lazy grin at anyone who dared to make eye contact.
At one point, a perfectly polished socialite approached us with a saccharine smile. "Lila, darling, how brave of you to come tonight. And Jackson! How… refreshing to see someone so different at these events."
"Thanks," Jackson said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "I do my best to stand out."
---
Ethan chose that moment to swoop in, his smile as sharp as a knife. "Lila," he said, his voice dripping with mock concern. "You're putting on a brave face. But you don't have to do this. One word, and I'll take care of everything."
"I've got it under control," I replied coolly.
He chuckled softly. "If you say so. But when this blows up in your face…" He leaned in closer, his tone dropping to a whisper. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
I refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
---
The Trap is Sprung
It happened during the auction. The auctioneer had just finished rattling off the details of a diamond necklace when Jackson's brother, Andrew, appeared out of nowhere.
"Well, well," Andrew said loudly, clapping a hand on Jackson's shoulder. "If it isn't the prodigal son. I didn't think you'd dare show your face here."
The room went quiet as heads turned to watch the unfolding drama.
Jackson's jaw tightened, but he didn't move. "Andrew," he said evenly. "Didn't realize you were on the guest list."
Andrew smirked. "I wasn't. But when I heard you'd be here, I couldn't resist. Thought I'd come see how you're ruining someone else's life this time."
The words hit like a slap, and I felt my anger flare.
---
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan watching, a triumphant smile playing on his lips. This was exactly what he'd planned—Jackson humiliated, his reputation further destroyed in front of the very people we were trying to win over.
Before Jackson could respond, I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the tension.
"That's enough," I said sharply. "If you want to insult someone, Andrew, why not start with yourself? It takes a special kind of insecurity to crash a party just to pick a fight with your brother."
Andrew blinked, clearly not expecting the interruption.
"You don't know the first thing about Jackson," I continued, my voice steady despite the anger bubbling beneath the surface. "And frankly, your opinion isn't worth the champagne it's printed on."
The crowd stared, stunned.
I turned to the guests, raising my voice just enough for everyone to hear. "You all love a good scandal, don't you? Well, here's the truth: Jackson isn't perfect. Neither am I. But at least he owns his mistakes—and that's more than I can say for most people in this room."
A few scattered claps broke the silence, and I caught a flicker of surprise—and respect—in Jackson's eyes.
---
Jackson's Comeback
Emboldened by my defense, Jackson turned to Andrew, his voice calm but cutting.
"You want to talk about failures? Let's start with how our family cut me off the moment I stopped making money for them. Or how you've spent your entire life hiding behind Dad's wallet because you can't stand on your own."
Andrew's face darkened, but Jackson didn't stop.
"Yeah, I screwed up," he said, turning to the crowd. "But I got back up on my own. And for the record, I'm not ashamed of who I am."
The Guests' Reaction
The mood in the room shifted. Some guests looked uncomfortable, but others—including a few younger attendees—seemed impressed by Jackson's honesty.
Ethan's Fury
Ethan's smug expression melted into frustration as the confrontation fizzled out without the disaster he'd planned. Instead of being humiliated, Jackson had gained sympathy—and Lila had proven herself more formidable than anyone expected.
"This isn't over," Ethan muttered to himself as he slipped out of the room, already plotting his next move.
A Quiet Victory
As we walked to the car, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of exhaustion and triumph.
"You didn't have to do that," Jackson said suddenly, his voice softer than usual. "But… thanks."
"Don't get used to it," I replied, though my tone lacked its usual bite. "I still think you're a pain in the ass."
He grinned. "Fair enough."
For the first time, I realized we weren't just two people stuck in a fake marriage. We were partners.
"Whatever was waiting for us next, I knew one thing: Jackson Carter wasn't just my mistake anymore. He was my choice."