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It started as a contract. It became a dangerous addiction.

Evelyn Liang never asked to be tangled in Damian Lu’s world of power plays, billion-dollar deals, and high-society scandals. But when her family’s company faces ruin, she signs a contract to be his “fiancée” for one year—nothing more than a calculated business arrangement.

Or so she thinks.

Cold, brilliant, and untouchable, Damian has rules for everything—including love. But as the lines between their act and reality blur, Evelyn finds herself pulled into a game she never wanted to play. Behind Damian’s perfect façade lies a man with secrets… and a heart more dangerous than his enemies.

Now, as betrayals surface and feelings ignite, Evelyn must decide: is she willing to risk everything for a man who swore he could never love her?

Tangled in His Game

The storm rolled in without warning.

Thunder cracked like a whip over the hills, and rain lashed against the villa's tall windows. Evelyn sat by the bed, staring out into the darkness as flickers of lightning illuminated the distant horizon.

She didn't notice the silence at first—not until the lamps flickered and went out, plunging the West Suite into shadows.

"Great," she muttered. "Just great."

"Backup generators should kick in soon," Damian said from across the room.

The only light came from the occasional flash of lightning, briefly outlining his tall frame near the window.

"Looks like we're roughing it tonight." Evelyn tried for levity, but her voice came out too soft, too unsure.

Damian didn't respond. He was pulling off his cufflinks, rolling up his sleeves with a quiet efficiency that made her throat tighten.

"Don't tell me you're actually planning to sleep on the couch in this heat," Evelyn said after a long silence.

"You're ridiculous. The bed's big enough for two. And don't bother with that noble act—you'll just wake up with a stiff neck and blame me for it."

His lips twitched in the dark. "Blame you? You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"I'd like you to stop being so… so Damian Lu about everything."

"Cold. Controlled. Always in charge. It's exhausting just watching you."

For a moment, she thought he might snap back. But instead, he gave a low chuckle—unexpected, warm.

"You're not the first to say that."

The bed creaked slightly as Damian finally sat down on his side.

"Stay on your side," he said evenly.

"Trust me, I have no intention of crossing the Great Wall of Damian."

But sleep didn't come easily. Evelyn lay rigid under the silk sheets, too aware of the man beside her.

She could feel the faint rise and fall of his breathing, the subtle heat radiating from his body even though there were a good two feet between them.

"Can't sleep?" His voice was quiet in the dark.

There was a pause, then—"You're curious about me."

"You make it hard not to be. You're like some locked vault no one's allowed to open."

His exhale was almost a laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Some vaults stay locked for a reason."

The rain softened outside, but the storm inside the West Suite didn't.

"Why do you do it?" Evelyn whispered.

His silence felt heavier than words.

Suddenly, a loud crash of thunder made Evelyn flinch. Instinctively, she reached for him in the dark.

Her hand brushed his chest—warm, solid.

"Sorry," she murmured, pulling back.

But Damian's hand caught hers before she could retreat.

His fingers curled around hers—not tightly, but enough to stop her.

"It's just the storm," she whispered.

His thumb brushed over her knuckles slowly. Comforting. Or maybe dangerous.

Evelyn turned her face toward him, though she could barely see him in the darkness.

He shifted closer. So close she could feel his breath against her skin.

"Go to sleep, Evelyn," he said softly. But his voice sounded strained—like he was trying to convince himself as much as her.

As she drifted off, still clutching his hand, Evelyn thought she felt his lips brush her hair.

But when she opened her eyes, the space between them was empty again.

Chapter 9 - The Space Between Us