Chapter 6: Cracks in the Facade
The ride home was suffocatingly silent. Evelyn sat as far from Alexander as possible in the spacious limo, staring out at the city lights.
She replayed the evening in her mind—the forced smiles, the shallow compliments, and Damian Carter's smug grin. It all felt like a performance in a play where she didn't know the script.
"Evelyn," Alexander said, breaking the silence.
She didn't look at him. "What?"
"You handled yourself well tonight."
Her head whipped toward him, her eyes narrowing. "Is that your version of a compliment?"
His brow furrowed slightly, as if the concept of praise was foreign to him. "It's the truth."
"Well, thank you for the glowing review," she said bitterly. "I'll add it to my list of accomplishments."
Alexander sighed, leaning back in his seat. "I know tonight was overwhelming, but you need to understand something. Damian Carter isn't just a rival—he's dangerous. Associating with him, even briefly, could jeopardize everything we're trying to achieve."
"I didn't associate with him," Evelyn snapped. "He offered me champagne and made some cryptic comments. How was I supposed to know he's your sworn enemy?"
"You weren't," Alexander admitted. "But from now on, you need to be more cautious."
Evelyn crossed her arms, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "This isn't just about him, is it? It's about control. You can't stand the idea of someone else influencing me, even for a second."
His silence was answer enough.
When they arrived at the estate, Evelyn practically bolted from the car, desperate to put distance between herself and Alexander. She needed space to think, to breathe, to figure out how she'd ended up in this mess.
She wandered through the garden, the cool night air soothing her frazzled nerves. The stars above twinkled faintly, their light barely cutting through the haze of city pollution.
"What am I doing here?" she whispered to herself.
"Good question," a voice said behind her, making her jump.
Evelyn turned to see Sophia leaning against a tree, a knowing smile on her face.
"Sorry," Sophia said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Didn't mean to scare you."
"It's fine," Evelyn muttered, running a hand through her hair. "What are you doing out here?"
"Same as you, I imagine," Sophia said, stepping closer. "Escaping."
Evelyn gave her a skeptical look. "From what? You seem perfectly at home in all of this."
Sophia laughed softly. "Appearances can be deceiving. This world isn't as glamorous as it looks. It's a game, and everyone's playing for keeps."
"That's comforting," Evelyn said dryly.
Sophia's expression softened. "I know it's hard. But if anyone can hold their own against Alexander, it's you."
Evelyn shook her head, her laugh tinged with bitterness. "I don't even know who I am anymore. I used to have a plan, a life. Now I'm just… his wife."
Sophia placed a hand on her shoulder, her gaze steady. "You're more than that. Don't let him—or anyone else—define you."
The next morning, Evelyn woke to find a thick envelope on her nightstand. Inside was a handwritten note from Alexander.
Evelyn,
About last night—I may have been too harsh. This arrangement isn't easy for either of us, but I want it to succeed. To that end, I've arranged for someone to coach you in navigating my world. Her name is Victoria, and she'll arrive at noon.
Evelyn's stomach sank. A coach? It felt like yet another reminder that she didn't belong.
By the time noon rolled around, Evelyn was prepared to hate this Victoria person. But when the tall, impeccably dressed woman swept into the room, Evelyn couldn't help but feel intimidated.
"Evelyn," Victoria said, her voice smooth and professional. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Alexander speaks highly of your potential."
"Does he?" Evelyn muttered under her breath.
Victoria smiled as if she hadn't heard. "Let's get started, shall we?"
The next few hours were a whirlwind of etiquette lessons, public speaking tips, and wardrobe consultations. By the end of it, Evelyn felt like she'd run a marathon.
"You're a quick learner," Victoria said as she packed up her things. "But remember, this isn't just about blending in. It's about standing out in the right way."
Evelyn nodded numbly, her mind too exhausted to process anything more.
As Victoria left, Evelyn collapsed onto the couch, her head spinning.
"I'm losing myself," she whispered.
But even as the thought crossed her mind, another voice whispered back: Or maybe you're just discovering who you really are.