Chapter 5: A Public Affair
Evelyn stood before the mirror, staring at the woman staring back at her. The sapphire-blue evening gown she wore clung to her figure, the soft fabric flowing elegantly to the floor. Her auburn hair was styled in loose waves, and a delicate necklace sparkled against her collarbone.
She barely recognized herself.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered under her breath.
Behind her, Sophia, Alexander's younger sister, chuckled. "You'll be fine. You look stunning."
Evelyn turned to her, fidgeting with the diamond bracelet Alexander had insisted she wear. "Stunning isn't the problem. It's pretending to be something I'm not."
Sophia smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on Evelyn's shoulder. "You're stronger than you think. And trust me, the vultures out there? They'll love you. Just keep your head high."
Evelyn nodded, though her stomach twisted in knots. Tonight was the big event—a charity gala hosted by Alexander's company. It would be her first public appearance as Mrs. Hayes.
The grand ballroom was a sight to behold. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a golden glow, and the air buzzed with the hum of chatter and soft music. Wealth and power dripped from every corner, and Evelyn felt as out of place as a painting in a hardware store.
Alexander appeared at her side, impeccably dressed in a black tuxedo. His presence was magnetic, drawing attention the moment he stepped into the room.
"Ready?" he asked, offering his arm.
Evelyn hesitated before slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They entered the ballroom together, and all eyes turned to them. Evelyn could feel the weight of their stares—curious, envious, and judgmental all at once.
"Smile," Alexander whispered, his voice low. "You're supposed to be happy to be here."
She forced a smile, her cheeks aching from the effort.
"Alexander!" A deep voice boomed, and an older man approached them, his expression one of calculated friendliness.
"Mr. Porter," Alexander said smoothly, extending a hand. "I'd like you to meet my wife, Evelyn."
Evelyn braced herself as Mr. Porter's sharp eyes assessed her. "A pleasure to meet you," she said, hoping her voice didn't betray her nerves.
"The pleasure is mine," Mr. Porter replied, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "You've certainly made an impression, Mrs. Hayes."
Evelyn didn't know how to respond to that, so she settled for another polite smile.
As the evening wore on, Evelyn found herself being introduced to a dizzying array of people—business tycoons, socialites, and investors, all eager to size her up.
"You're doing fine," Alexander murmured between introductions, his hand resting lightly on her back.
"Am I?" she whispered back. "Because I feel like I'm drowning."
"You're not," he assured her, though his expression remained unreadable.
Later in the evening, Evelyn excused herself, desperate for a moment of solitude. She found a quiet corner of the ballroom, where she could catch her breath.
"You seem out of place," a voice said, startling her.
She turned to see a man with dark hair and a charming smile. He looked familiar, though she couldn't place him.
"Don't worry," he added, offering her a glass of champagne. "Everyone here feels like a fraud at some point."
"I'll drink to that," Evelyn muttered, accepting the glass.
The man chuckled. "I'm Damian Carter. And you must be Alexander's new bride."
Evelyn froze, her grip tightening on the glass. She'd heard the name before—Damian Carter, Alexander's business rival and the man determined to bring him down.
"Yes," she said cautiously. "I am."
Damian tilted his head, studying her with interest. "He always did have a way of surprising people. Tell me, how does it feel to be married to the most calculating man in the room?"
Evelyn's heart raced. She forced a smile, hoping it masked her discomfort. "I think you overestimate him."
"Do I?" Damian's smile widened. "Well, I suppose time will tell."
Before she could respond, Alexander appeared, his expression colder than she'd ever seen.
"Carter," he said sharply. "Don't you have someone else to bother?"
Damian raised his glass in mock surrender. "Just making conversation, Hayes. No need to be so territorial."
"Go," Alexander said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Damian smirked before walking away, leaving Evelyn alone with Alexander.
"What were you thinking?" Alexander demanded, his voice low and angry.
"I wasn't," Evelyn snapped. "He approached me, not the other way around."
"You should have walked away."
"I didn't know who he was," she retorted, her frustration boiling over. "And even if I did, you can't expect me to avoid everyone who doesn't like you. That's half the people in this room!"
Alexander's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"I didn't ask for this," Evelyn continued, her voice shaking. "I'm trying my best to play your game, but you can't expect me to be perfect."
For a moment, Alexander looked as though he might argue. But then his shoulders relaxed, and his expression softened ever so slightly.
"You're right," he said quietly. "I'm sorry."
The apology caught her off guard, and she stared at him, unsure how to respond.
"Let's go back," he said, offering his arm again.
Evelyn hesitated before taking it. As they returned to the crowd, she couldn't shake the feeling that the night was far from over—and that Damian Carter wasn't done causing trouble