That Woman Is Not Me

The warm golden glow of the chandelier couldn't hide the chill creeping through Reina's spine. The grand ballroom was filled with whispers, stolen glances, and the distinct aroma of expensive perfume. Her fingers clutched the delicate fabric of her gown, the silky blue dress clinging to her like a second skin beautiful, yet suffocating.

He stood just across the room, tall and untouchable.

Leonard Albrecht.

Her fiancé. At least, that was what the contract said.

But his eyes weren't on her. Not tonight. Not since she arrived.

Vivianne Loire.

Slender, seductive, and glowing in a crimson satin gown that seemed to scream for attention. And attention she received especially from Leonard.

Reina's stomach twisted as she watched them. The way Leonard leaned in slightly when Vivianne spoke, the way he let out a quiet chuckle something Reina had never seen from him before.

It hurt more than she expected. More than she wanted to admit.

She turned her head away, but it was too late. The image had already carved itself into her heart like a cruel brand.

"You shouldn't be here," came a quiet voice beside her.

It was Samuel the only soul in this mansion who ever treated her like a person, not just a name on a piece of paper.

"It's his engagement party," Reina said with a bitter smile. "I thought I was the fiancée."

Samuel looked at her, his eyes dark and unreadable. "That woman… she was his ex."

Reina swallowed. "Ex?"

"From years ago. They were supposed to marry before he disappeared to the States. Rumor is, she never got over him."

Of course. Of course, she hadn't. Leonard had everything money, power, and looks that could bend hearts like paper. Who would ever get over him?

Suddenly, the room felt smaller. Too tight. Like a stage, and she was just a propn fitting the dress, the heels, the smile… but not the story.

She took a step back.

"Excuse me," she mumbled to Samuel and walked toward the balcony. She needed air. Distance. Sanity.

The cold night kissed her skin the moment she pushed open the glass doors. Out here, the city was distant and glittering, like a dream you couldn't touch. Reina closed her eyes, trying to breathe, trying to remember why she was doing this.

Why did she agree to this engagement?

Money?

Freedom?

Revenge?

No. Maybe in the beginning, it was all three. But now… now she wasn't sure anymore.

Footsteps behind her.

Her heart sank even before he spoke.

"I thought I might find you here."

Leonard.

His voice was smooth and calm, but she could hear the tension under it. Maybe guilt. Maybe nothing at all.

Reina didn't turn to face him. "Are you enjoying your reunion?"

There was a pause. Then, a sigh. "She showed up uninvited."

Reina chuckled, bitter. "You didn't look very bothered."

"That's not fair."

"Neither is being forced to watch my fiancé smile at another woman like I don't exist."

He stepped closer. Too close.

"Vivianne means nothing."

"Then why didn't you pull away when she touched you?" she snapped, finally facing him. Her eyes were gleaming with unshed tears. "Why didn't you tell her to leave when she clung to your arm like you were hers?"

Leonard's jaw tightened. "I didn't want to cause a scene."

"Then congratulations," she hissed. "You just caused one inside me."

He exhaled, raking a hand through his hair. "Reina…"

"No," she cut him off, voice trembling. "You don't get to say my name like that. Like you care. Because every time I think you might… you remind me of exactly what I am in your life."

She blinked hard, then said quietly, "A pawn. A placeholder. A woman wearing the ring that belongs to someone else."

Silence.

Painful, echoing silence.

"You're wrong," he said finally.

"Am I?" she whispered.

Leonard looked at her for a long moment, then slowly reached into his pocket.

He pulled out a photograph.

Of a woman.

It wasn't Vivianne.

It was Reina.

She stared.

"You think I don't see you?" Leonard's voice was low, intense. "Reina, I've seen you from the very start. I agreed to this arrangement not out of convenience but because I knew I needed someone like you beside me."

Her lips parted. "Then why do you act like I'm invisible?"

"Because I was afraid," he said. "Afraid that if I touched you the way I wanted to… if I looked at you the way you deserve, I wouldn't be able to stop."

She laughed, brokenly. "You expect me to believe that now? After Vivianne?"

"She's part of my past. You… you're in every part of my future."

He stepped closer. Slowly.

"I know I've made mistakes," he said. "But that woman tonight she's not you. She never was. She never will be."

Reina looked at him, the war in her chest battling reason and emotion. She wanted to believe him. She did.

But her heart… her heart was tired.

"I don't want to be another name on your list of regrets, Leonard," she whispered.

He reached out, gently brushing his thumb against her cheek. "You're not. You're the only one I don't want to regret."

Tears finally slipped from her lashes.

And he caught them.