SARAH

That’s it. I can’t do this anymore.

I was this close to losing my mind. Every second stretched unbearably thin, each word she spoke grating against my sanity. I needed to get the hell out of here before I shattered completely.

"Sarah," her voice cut through the buzzing chaos in my head, sharper this time, demanding my attention. I clenched my fists, plastering on a smile that had begun to physically hurt.

“Yes, Your Highness,” I replied, feigning respect as though the last hour hadn’t been pure torture. My jaw ached from forcing this polite charade, and I wished I could tell her exactly what I thought of her endless droning.

“Did you hear what I’ve been saying?” The Queen asked, her tone laced with condescension. I nearly rolled my eyes right there but resisted, knowing it would only make this ordeal longer.

Oh, I heard you, alright. How could I not when she’d been rambling nonstop about the importance of this ceremony, how every noble here was crucial, and how I absolutely couldn’t screw this up? Apparently, I was expected to memorize names and titles like some kind of puppet. She never paused, never noticed how utterly ridiculous it all was.

Three fucking hours.

She has been talking for that long and I already want to tell Alex that I'm done with this contract.

But I can't. The only reason for enduring this woman here is because of James, if not…

"Of course, Your Highness. I have." I used the softest tone possible which seemed to annoy her even more.

“Fine then.” She scrowls, removing her gaze from me then scanned the entire room.”Where is my son anyway?”

Ah. That's the most brilliant question she has asked all day and my reply was a hard no.

“I have no idea,” I said simply, shrugging my shoulders.

Ever since our little talk yesterday, I thought he would show up and mock me about what I talked having sex next time

Which won't be happening anytime soon. Definitely. No way.

Not a chance in hell—

“How can you not know where he is?” She was this close to raising her voice but a couple passed us, taking a slight bow at her so she simply smiled back and since I have an experience with fakeness, she could be a Hollywood start with acting.

"I’m just his pretend fiancée, remember? I’m not obligated to track his every move.”

“Well, you must find him,” she snapped before brushing past me. “Excuse me. I have other matters to attend to.”

Thank. Fuck.

I smiled sweetly, letting the venom drip from my words. “Of course, Your Highness. Thank you for your invaluable guidance. It’s always a pleasure.”

Her glare lingered a beat too long before she huffed and walked off toward the king. As soon as she was gone, I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. I need a drink. A strong one. But appearances mattered, and I had to stay in control.

“Love the dress.” The familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Turning, I saw Alex approaching, her sharp gaze traveling the length of my gown. “I must say, red suits you.”

Her words didn’t surprise me, but I was still flattered. Red did suit me. The strapless ombre gown clung to my figure, the deep black fading into crimson like spilled wine. A daring thigh-high slit completed the look, and the fabric alone screamed luxury—so expensive I could’ve paid off James’s rent with it.

The dress wasn’t my choice, though. When the royal maids brought it to me, I assumed it was the queen’s doing. But she didn’t know my size, and Alex would’ve mentioned it. That left only one person—Christopher.

If he were here, I’d ask him. But of course, he wasn’t.

“And white suits you,” I said, smirking as I took in Alex’s ivory gown. “Very elegant.”

We both chuckled, the shared sarcasm easing some of the tension I’d been carrying. She gave me a quick hug before pulling back, her expression softening. “How are you holding up? Feels like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“I’m fine, I guess.” My voice wavered, betraying the lie.

She didn’t push. Instead, she took my hand and guided me toward the bar.

“What would you like to drink, Your Highness?” the bartender asked, his smile mechanical, like he’d repeated this line a thousand times tonight.

“Just champagne,” Alex said with a dismissive wave. She glanced at me. “And she’ll have the same.”

As the bartender prepared our drinks, I let my gaze wander across the room. The guests sparkled like jewels in their gowns and tailored suits, the laughter and clinking glasses a shallow mask over the monotony. Cameras flashed, capturing moments that held no meaning.

My eyes flitted from face to face, hoping—dreading—that I’d see him. Christopher. The man who had somehow become both my tormentor and my solace. If he were here, he’d probably be leaning against a wall, arms crossed, watching me with that infuriating smirk I couldn’t decide whether to hate or crave.

“I’ve always hated parties like this,” Alex sighed beside me, breaking into my thoughts. She leaned against the bar, her expression one of pure exhaustion.

“Why? They seem fun.” It was a weak attempt at humor, and she saw through it immediately, chuckling softly.

“They’re not. Trust me, I’d take a club over this pretentious mess any day.”

I smirked, lifting my glass. “We could go clubbing… if your kingdom has clubs, that is.”

She snorted, the sound unladylike but oddly comforting. “Honey, we’ve got gambling centers. Clubs are nothing.”

“Gambling? Seriously?”

“Seriously,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Not that I can go. The baby wouldn’t approve.”

I froze for half a second before remembering. “Right. The baby.” Shame flushed my cheeks. How could I forget something so important? “Sorry, Alex. My brain’s fried from spending hours with your mother.”

Her laughter rang out, genuine and bright. "Hours, huh? Try twenty years, and you’d be halfway to an asylum. Honestly, I wonder why I didn’t consider it sooner.”

She said it like a joke, but the bitterness in her tone lingered. I didn’t push. Instead, I raised my glass again, taking a long sip. For now, the night was far from over. And unfortunately, neither was my role in this charade.

We stood there in silence, the weight of unspoken words settling between us. It was Alex who finally broke it, steering the conversation toward lighter things. She told me about her trip, her words flowing easily, and I found myself listening intently. For a moment, I almost forgot where we were—until I felt a presence behind me.

A chill slid down my spine before I turned, sensing someone behind me. My eyes landed on a man—late twenties, maybe—standing just a few feet away. His gaze staring at both Alex and I.

But mostly me.

“Hello, Alex,” he greeted, his tone as smooth as polished glass.

She sighed, clearly unamused. “What a pleasure to see you... cousin.”

Cousin?

My eyes flicked back to the man, studying him more closely. He didn’t look much like Alex, but there was something about his features that hinted at shared blood. His dark hair was combed back in a way that screamed effortless wealth, and his tailored black suit looked almost the same as the rest of the men. His brown eyes gleamed with amusement—or was it something darker?—and a faint smirk tugged at his lips, revealing a dimple on one side. He wasn’t overly tall, but he carried himself with a quiet confidence that drew attention.

Not bad.

But there was something about him that set me on edge.

His attention shifted to me, his gaze trailing down my body in a way that made my skin prickle. He wasn’t even subtle.

“And who is this?” he asked, his smirk deepening. “You’ve brought a friend, I see.”

Alex’s lips curved into a sly grin, her tone laced with something that felt almost like mischief. “Not exactly. This is Sarah... Christopher’s fiancée.”

My heart stuttered for half a second, but I forced my expression to stay neutral. She’d said it so smoothly, so deliberately, like she wanted to see his reaction—and she got it.

The man’s smirk faltered, a frown creasing his brow. It was subtle, but I caught it.

“Ah,” he said, recovering quickly, his attention fully on me now. “The infamous lady who charmed her way into my cousin's heart.”

He reached for my hand, lifting it to his lips. His touch was light, calculated, as he pressed a chaste kiss to my knuckles. The gesture was polished, but the lingering gaze he gave me made it feel anything but polite. “What a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Nate. Nate Knight.”

I tilted my head, offering him the same forced smile I used on the Queen. “Infamous? I didn’t know I was already popular,” I said, slipping my hand free from his grasp with deliberate slowness.

There was something off about him—something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. His polished exterior didn’t match the energy he radiated. It felt… wrong.

His chuckle was low, almost amused, but there was something unsettling about it. “Oh, you don’t even know the half of it,” he replied, his tone dripping with insinuation.

Off. Everything about him felt off.

I glanced at Alex, silently willing her to step in and rescue me, but the queen’s voice called for her from across the room. She gave me an apologetic look before slipping away, leaving me alone with Nate.

Great.

He turned back to me, stepping closer, not enough to be invasive, but enough to make his presence unmistakable as his voice dropped, quieter but no less pointed. “Tell me something.” His smile widened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “How did you meet my fucked-up cousin?”

Ah, there it was. The mask slipped.

Filing away my discomfort, I flicked a strand of hair over my shoulder, forcing an easy smile. “What can I say? He’s charming.” I shrugged, as if this wasn’t the thousandth time I’d told the same fabricated story. “We met at a business meeting, and, well, one thing led to another.”

Nate’s expression didn’t change. If anything, he looked more amused.

“A business meeting?” he repeated, his voice laced with skepticism.

“Yes.”

He leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. “Forgive me for saying this, but you don’t exactly look like the type to frequent business meetings.”

I blinked, unsure if I should be offended or concerned. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, you’re certainly excused.” His tone was pleasant, almost polite, but his smirk said otherwise.

I felt the first twinge of panic as he leaned in even closer, invading my personal space. His breath brushed against my ear, sending a edge as I tightened my grip on my glass

“Let me ask you one more time,” he whispered. “How did you meet my cousin, Sarah Wayne?”

I froze.

My grip on the glass tightened as a chill ran down my spine. The way he said my name, slow and deliberate, felt like he knew me, my throat felt dry, and for a second, I couldn’t even swallow.

How did the fuck did he know my name?

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” I glared hard at him, my voice steady despite the tightness in my chest. My nails dug into the glass in my hand, grounding me as I fought to hold his gaze.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, his smile grew, slow and deliberate, as if he wanted this reaction from me.

He opened his mouth to respond, but his eyes flicked past me, and his expression shifted—fear flashed across his face as he took an instinctive step back. I barely had time to register his reaction before a strong hand grabbed my waist, pulling me back sharply. My body collided with something solid—someone solid—and just as panic began to claw at me, a voice cut through, washing relief over me.

“Is everything alright?” Christopher.

He was finally here.

The panic I might have felt dissipated instantly at the sound of his voice, calming my nerves and mind.

It was low, controlled, but threaded with a deadly edge that made the air around us grow heavier. I turned my head, and there he was, his dark eyes fixed on Nate with a glare that could have sliced through steel. I’d seen him angry before, but this? This was something else entirely.

“Chris…” I whispered, my voice barely audible as the tension coursed through me. But it wasn’t just fear or relief—it was that unmistakable pull I always felt when he was this close. My body betrayed me, trembling under the sheer weight of his presence.

At the sound of his name, his gaze flicked down to me, and the hard lines of his face softened. My heart stuttered, the shift in his expression catching me off guard.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he murmured, leaning down until his lips found mine. The kiss was hot, yet disarmingly tender, leaving me breathless. For a moment, the world around us disappeared, and if we weren’t standing in the middle of this crowded space, I might’ve dragged him closer, desperate for more.

But he pulled back too soon, his lips brushing against mine one last time as he whispered, “Sorry I was late.” His eyes searched mine, sincere and full of an apology I didn’t expect from him.

Once again—he has managed to make me confused about what I thought of him.

And it scared me.

●●●

A/N

*DREAMY SIGH*

WHO DOESN’T LOVE A FEMALE LEAD CONFUSED ABOUT HER FEELINGS?

HEHE I DO SO MUCH!!

SARAH IS FALLLINGGGG

NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE MORE HOTTER😼😼.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS ONE CAUSE I DEFINITELY DID.

💋💋💋