Ava

Chapter 10:

(Ava's POV – )

This wasn't a wedding.

It wasn't even an engagement.

It was a publicly staged business deal with fancy clothes, expensive wine, and a man I couldn't stand.

And yet, here I was—picking out a dress to sell the illusion.

---

Finally Choosing a Dress –

"You are impossible," Sophia groaned, tossing another gown onto the already massive pile of rejects.

I crossed my arms. "I refuse to wear something that makes me look like a walking chandelier."

Eleanor chuckled from the couch, sipping tea. "She has a point, Sophia. Not everyone enjoys drowning in fabric."

Sophia pouted. "But it's supposed to be elegant and dramatic! We need drama!"

I gave her a flat look. "There will be plenty of drama without me looking like a wedding cake."

Sophia sighed, then grabbed one last dress from the rack. "Fine. Try this one."

I took it, running my fingers over the soft fabric.

It was sleek, black, and fitted—hugging curves instead of swallowing them. The off-shoulder neckline was subtle but dangerous, the slit up the leg borderline scandalous.

I raised a brow. "This is dramatic."

Sophia grinned. "Exactly."

I sighed, stepping into the dressing room.

When I came out, everything went quiet.

Eleanor's smile widened. "Oh, my dear. That's the one."

Sophia clapped her hands. "Yes! You look like you could destroy a man's life in that dress."

I smirked. "Perfect."

Because if I was going to walk into that party as Damien Sterling's fiancée, I was going to make damn sure people remembered it.

---

Late Night --

The house was silent.

Too big. Too empty.

I couldn't sleep.

So, I found myself in the Sterling estate's massive garden, staring at the stars and wondering how the hell my life had spiraled into this mess.

"You'll get wrinkles if you keep scowling like that."

I turned to find Damien standing behind me, hands in his pockets.

I sighed, looking away. "Don't you have better things to do?"

He smirked. "Nope. Annoying you is my new hobby."

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "What do you want?"

He stepped closer, tilting his head slightly. "Could ask you the same thing. You look like you're planning an escape."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Wouldn't you love that?"

He shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not."

I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

His gaze flickered over my face before he looked away. "Nothing. Just… don't run, Sinclair. If you do, I won't come looking for you."

Something about the way he said it made my stomach twist.

I forced a smirk. "Good. Then we're on the same page."

He studied me for a moment longer, then turned. "See you at the circus tomorrow."

I watched as he walked away, annoyed that I was still thinking about his words long after he left.

---

The Next Day –

The morning was a blur of preparations.

Makeup. Hair. Jewelry.

A team of stylists worked around me, chattering about how beautiful the event would be.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing myself.

Sophia peeked in. "Nervous?"

I scoffed. "No. Just mentally preparing myself to fake happiness for an entire night."

She grinned. "Welcome to high society."

I exhaled, fixing the engagement ring on my finger.

This was it.

Tonight, the world would believe the lie.

And I had to make sure they never saw the cracks.

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