Chapter 38: An Accidental Date

Three Days of Silence

Adrian Blackwood was many things—ruthless, strategic, a man always in control. But for the last three days, he had been on edge.

And it was because of her.

Ella.

She had found something. He knew it. He had seen the shift in her eyes, the way she had stopped questioning him—but not because she had given up.

No.

She was waiting. Watching. Calculating.

And Adrian hated it.

He had spent his entire life mastering the art of secrets.

But somehow, Ella had become his biggest one.

And tonight—at the Blackwood Foundation's Annual Gala—they were expected to play the role of a devoted power couple.

The irony?

Adrian had never been more unsure of where he stood with her.

Dressed to Kill—And Torture Him

The gala was already in full swing by the time Adrian arrived. He was used to the cameras, the flashing lights, the suffocating presence of high society.

What he wasn't used to?

Ella.

Standing at the entrance, draped in a breathtaking crimson gown that clung to her like a second skin.

She looked—dangerous.

And absolutely irresistible.

The moment she locked eyes with him, she smirked. Smirked.

Adrian narrowed his gaze.

She was playing with him.

He stalked toward her, jaw tight. "You're enjoying this."

Ella tilted her head, her voice dripping with mischief. "Enjoying what?"

Adrian clenched his fists. "Whatever twisted game you're playing."

Her smile widened. "Oh, you mean the game where I act like a perfect, loving wife while you look like you want to strangle me in public?"

His eye twitched. "Ella—"

But before he could respond, the cameras started flashing.

"Mr. Blackwood! Over here!"

"Adrian! Give us a smile with your wife!"

"Ella, you look stunning tonight! Is this your first Blackwood Foundation Gala as a couple?"

Ella turned to face the crowd, slipping her arm through Adrian's like they were the picture of marital bliss.

And then she leaned in, her voice a whisper only he could hear.

"Smile, husband. We wouldn't want them to think there's trouble in paradise."

Adrian fought the urge to curse.

She was too good at this.

And for the first time, he wasn't sure if he was playing the game—

—or losing it.

The Trap He Never Saw Coming

Inside the ballroom, the air was thick with wealth and power. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over the marble floors, and the hum of expensive conversations filled the space.

Ella held onto his arm, guiding them through the crowd with a grace that almost fooled him into believing she belonged in this world.

Almost.

Adrian had spent years building his empire on the foundation of control.

Yet tonight, standing beside her, he felt like the one being played.

And then—it happened.

"Adrian! Ella!"

Adrian turned, instantly regretting it.

Nathaniel.

His best friend—and the worst possible person to be here right now.

Nathaniel grinned, his eyes flickering between Adrian and Ella with way too much amusement. "I just spoke to the press outside. Do you know what they're saying?"

Adrian exhaled sharply. "I don't care."

Nathaniel ignored him, turning to Ella instead. "They think you two are on a romantic date."

Ella's lips twitched. "Oh?"

Nathaniel smirked. "Apparently, this isn't just a gala. It's an anniversary celebration. The media believes Adrian planned this entire evening as a grand, romantic gesture."

Adrian went rigid. "You're joking."

Nathaniel raised his glass. "Congratulations. You're officially the most obsessed husband in the country."

Ella's laughter was instant.

And merciless.

Adrian groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is a disaster."

Ella wiped a fake tear from her eye. "Oh, darling, how could you keep such a romantic surprise from me?"

Nathaniel's grin widened. "And here I thought you didn't have a romantic bone in your body."

Adrian shot him a murderous glare. "You're enjoying this too much."

Nathaniel raised his glass. "I live for this."

Adrian turned to Ella, his voice a low warning. "Don't. Say. A word."

Ella beamed at him in front of the cameras.

Then, with the most innocent expression, she turned to the press.

"My husband is a man of few words, but tonight? He has outdone himself."

Adrian swore internally as the media ate it up.

And just like that—he had lost.

The Dance That Changed Everything

The night should have ended there.

But it didn't.

Because as the music shifted to a slow, intimate melody, the host of the event announced the couple's dance.

Adrian barely had time to react before Ella was pulled into his arms.

Her breath hitched.

His fingers pressed into her waist.

The world blurred.

The cameras flashed.

And for the first time that night—there was no game to play.

There was only them.

Ella swallowed hard. "This is dangerous."

Adrian's grip tightened. "Then why does it feel like neither of us wants to stop?"

She didn't have an answer.

Because in that moment—she didn't want to stop.

And neither did he.