Elena stared at the threatening text message for the tenth time since waking. Someone at the wedding had recognized her. Someone knew she was Selena Carter.
A knock on her door made her jump.
"Breakfast is ready," Rafael called. "We need to talk."
Elena tucked her phone away and opened the door. Rafael stood there in a casual black t-shirt and jeans, looking nothing like the intimidating businessman everyone feared. The sight made her heart skip unexpectedly.
"Sleep well, Mrs. Sinclair?" he asked, his eyes scanning her face.
"Not really," Elena admitted, following him to the kitchen where a feast awaited. "I got a message last night."
Rafael froze halfway into his seat. "What kind of message?"
Elena showed him her phone. His expression darkened as he read it.
"Someone at the wedding recognized you."
"Impossible," Elena whispered. "My own father wouldn't recognize me now."
Rafael poured coffee for both of them. "We need to find out who sent this. In the meantime, your things arrive today."
"My things?"
"From your apartment. My team is bringing everything. We're married now - you live here."
Elena hadn't considered this part of their arrangement. Living together, day and night, under the same roof.
"Is that necessary?" she asked.
Rafael raised an eyebrow. "You think Vivian won't have people watching? Making sure we're really together? Of course it's necessary."
He was right, of course. Their plan hinged on everyone believing their marriage was real.
"Fine," Elena sighed. "Which rooms are mine?"
"All of them," Rafael said simply. "What's mine is yours - at least on paper."
The movers arrived an hour later. Elena's apartment had been small, so it didn't take long to arrange her belongings in Rafael's massive penthouse. Her clothes looked lost in the walk-in closet he'd emptied for her.
"Your wardrobe needs upgrading," Rafael commented, eyeing her simple dresses.
"What's wrong with my clothes?" Elena bristled.
"Nothing, if you want to blend in," Rafael replied. "But Mrs. Rafael Sinclair doesn't blend in. She stands out. Demands attention."
Before Elena could argue, the doorbell rang. Rafael checked his security monitor.
"It's Vivian," he said softly. "Time for our first test."
Elena's heart raced. "She's here? Now?"
Rafael nodded. "Remember who you are now. Elena Sinclair. Confident. In love. My equal." He squeezed her hand before releasing it. "Ready?"
No, she wasn't ready. But she nodded anyway.
Rafael opened the door with a practiced look of surprise. "Vivian, what an unexpected pleasure."
Vivian Carter stood in the doorway, elegant in a cream suit. Her cold eyes moved past Rafael to where Elena stood.
"I hope I'm not interrupting the honeymoon," Vivian said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I just wanted to bring a small wedding gift."
She held out a beautifully wrapped package. Elena stepped forward to accept it, her face a mask of gracious appreciation.
"How thoughtful," Elena said. "Would you like to come in for coffee?"
Rafael shot her a warning glance, but it was too late. Vivian was already stepping inside, her curious gaze taking in the boxes and Elena's belongings.
"Just moving in?" Vivian asked lightly. "I assumed you were already living together before the hasty wedding."
"Some traditions are worth keeping," Rafael said smoothly, placing a possessive hand on Elena's waist. "Elena wanted her own space until we were official."
Vivian's gaze lingered on Rafael's hand. "How charming. Old-fashioned values from such a modern woman."
Elena felt like she was standing on a knife's edge. Every word from Vivian dripped with suspicion and calculation.
"Would you like a tour?" Elena offered boldly.
Rafael's fingers tightened on her waist in warning, but Elena ignored him. She needed to establish herself as confident, not someone hiding something.
"I'd love one," Vivian replied.
Elena led her through the penthouse, pointing out rooms as if she'd lived there for years instead of hours. When they reached the master bedroom, Vivian paused, noting the photos Rafael's team had strategically placed around the room—fake vacation pictures of the two of them, expertly photoshopped.
"You've traveled together?" Vivian asked, picking up a frame showing them on a beach.
"Paris, Bali, Santorini," Elena lied smoothly. "Rafael hates tourist spots. He finds the most secluded places."
"I never took Rafael for the romantic type," Vivian mused, setting down the photo.
"There's a lot you don't know about me, Vivian," Rafael said from the doorway.
Something passed between them—an old tension Elena couldn't quite identify. She filed it away to ask about later.
The tour ended in the living room, where Vivian finally checked her watch. "I should be going. The Carter Foundation gala is next week. I assume you'll both attend?"
Rafael nodded. "We wouldn't miss it."
At the door, Vivian paused. "Open your gift before I leave. I'd love to see if you like it."
Elena carefully unwrapped the package to find an ornate silver picture frame. Beautiful but unremarkable.
"It's lovely," Elena said politely.
"It was meant for Selena's wedding," Vivian said, watching Elena's face closely. "Before her tragic accident. I thought it shouldn't go to waste."
Elena's blood ran cold, but her face showed nothing. "How thoughtful of you to repurpose it."
"Waste not, want not," Vivian smiled. "Selena would have wanted someone to use it, I'm sure."
After Vivian left, Elena's hands shook so badly she nearly dropped the frame.
"She knows," Elena whispered. "She's playing with me."
Rafael took the frame from her hands. "No, she suspects. There's a difference. She's testing you."
"The text message, now this?" Elena paced the room. "It's too much coincidence."
Rafael examined the frame carefully. "There's nothing unusual about it. No bugs, no cameras."
"Just a psychological weapon," Elena said bitterly.
Rafael set the frame down and caught Elena's shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "This changes nothing. We stick to the plan."
His touch steadied her, and Elena took a deep breath. "You're right. We need to focus. The Foundation gala is our chance to get closer to Jade and Noah."
Rafael nodded, releasing her shoulders. "We need to be perfect. Completely in love, completely trusted."
"I can do perfect," Elena said with more confidence than she felt.
For the rest of the day, they planned their strategy. Rafael showed Elena documents about Carter Industries' financial weaknesses. She shared insider knowledge about how Vivian had restructured the company after her "death."
They worked well together, Elena realized with surprise. Their minds seemed to connect, finishing each other's thoughts. By evening, they had mapped out the first phase of their plan.
"You're smarter than I expected," Rafael admitted as they shared takeout dinner on the balcony.
"Did you think pretty was all I had to offer?" Elena challenged.
Rafael's eyes held hers a beat too long. "I think there's much more to you than meets the eye, Elena Santos."
The way he said her fake name reminded her that he was the only person besides Mia who knew her true identity. It created an unexpected intimacy between them.
As night fell, the awkwardness of their living arrangement returned. Elena stood to clear the dishes.
"I should head to bed," she said. "It's been a long day."
Rafael nodded, his expression unreadable. "Tomorrow we have a public lunch date at Bellini's. Wear something eye-catching. The paparazzi will be there."
Elena turned to go, but Rafael called after her.
"Elena, about that text message—be careful. Don't trust anyone. Not even me."
"Why would you warn me against yourself?" Elena asked, confused.
Rafael's eyes darkened. "Because I'm still not sure which matters more to me—helping you get revenge, or getting what I want from the Carters."
"And if those goals conflict?" Elena pressed.
"Then one of us will lose," he said simply.
Elena went to her room troubled by his honesty. As she prepared for bed, her phone chimed with another message.
I'm watching you, Selena. So is Rafael. Did you really think he didn't know you before you approached him? Ask your new husband why he REALLY hates the Carters. The answer might surprise you.
Elena stared at the message, her heart pounding. What wasn't Rafael telling her? And how much danger was she really in—not just from her enemies, but from her fake husband as well?