Chapter 43: The Perfect Couple

Aiden's POV

The doors to the Grand Ballroom and Genevieve strutted in beside me, practically glowing with self-satisfaction, while I did my best to look like I gave a damn.

The murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd, and Genevieve soaked it all in, her smile widening with every whispered compliment.

I, on the other hand, was doing my best impression of a mannequin. My tux was immaculate, not because I cared, but because Genevieve had insisted on it. “You have to look the part, Aiden,” she’d said, her eyes glinting with that familiar blend of manipulation and charm. So, there I was, looking like a million bucks on the outside and feeling like a complete idiot on the inside.

But none of that mattered. None of it even registered fully, because as soon as we walked into that room, my eyes found Claire.

“Aiden, darling,” she cooed, like she was talking to a child who’d wandered too far from the playground. “Try to focus, will you? We’re the stars of this little show.”