Chapter 20 – A Vow of Deception

Elise stood at the threshold of Damien Lancaster's estate, the weight of her decision pressing down on her shoulders like an iron chain.

The towering gates loomed before her, a symbol of the life she had been forced into—a world of power, deception, and control.

Damien stood beside her, his presence as imposing as ever. He didn't need to speak; the smirk on his face said everything. He had won.

"Come inside," he said smoothly. "Your new life begins now."

Elise took a deep breath and stepped forward.

The doors swung open, revealing a grand interior that looked more like a palace than a home. Chandeliers cast a golden glow over marble floors, and the air smelled of expensive cologne and something darker—something dangerous.

A butler approached. "Shall I show Mrs. Lancaster to her quarters?"

Mrs. Lancaster.

The words felt foreign, like a title that didn't belong to her.

Before Elise could respond, Damien's hand ghosted over the small of her back, guiding her forward. "She'll be staying in my room."

Her stomach twisted, but she didn't protest. Not yet.

They climbed the grand staircase in silence, the tension between them thick and suffocating.

Inside the bedroom, the decor was dark and masculine—deep mahogany furniture, a massive bed, and a view of the city skyline stretching beyond the windows.

Damien closed the door behind them, locking it with an almost lazy motion.

Elise turned to face him, her fists clenched. "You didn't mention we'd be sharing a room."

"Would you have signed if I did?" he countered, stepping closer.

Her breath hitched, but she refused to back down. "I want boundaries."

Damien studied her for a long moment, then smirked. "You can have all the boundaries you want, Elise. But don't forget—this is a marriage. And marriages require… appearances."

She swallowed hard, realizing exactly what he meant.

Publicly, they would be the perfect couple. Privately, she would have to navigate the storm that was Damien Lancaster.

But Elise wasn't naïve.

Damien wasn't the only one playing a game.

And if he thought she would be a pawn in his world, he was about to learn that she had claws of her own.