Chapter 8: Beneath the Surface
Elira stood at the balcony, watching the sunset dissolve into a sea of orange and gold. The wind toyed gently with her hair as she clutched a cup of untouched tea. She'd been quiet the whole day, letting the house breathe around her.
She didn't expect him to join her — but he did.
Zayn.
He leaned on the railing beside her, arms folded, gaze focused on the same horizon.
"You always stand out here," he said, his tone unusually soft. "What do you think about all the time?"
She didn't answer right away. "I think… about how strange life is."
He raised an eyebrow. "Strange how?"
"I never thought I'd end up here. In this house. With you."
Silence.
He didn't argue. He didn't defend himself. For once, he let the truth settle between them.
"I didn't want this either," Zayn admitted.
Elira's chest tightened, but she nodded. "I know."
They stood in silence for a while longer until he spoke again. "My mother's hosting a charity gala tomorrow night. She expects us both there."
Elira blinked. "A gala?"
"She wants us to look like a real couple. You know… for appearances."
Elira looked down at her cup, then set it on the table. "I see."
He turned toward her. "You'll be safe there. I'll make sure of it."
That surprised her. The way he said it — like it mattered to him.
—
*The Next Night*
The gala was grand, glittering with chandeliers and polished marble. Elira wore a deep burgundy dress that hugged her form. For once, she didn't feel invisible.
Zayn stood beside her in a sharp black suit, hand resting lightly at the small of her back — for show, but it didn't feel fake.
Everyone watched them. The perfect couple. The mysterious love story.
"She's more beautiful than I imagined," one woman whispered as they passed.
Elira tried not to blush. Zayn didn't even flinch.
Halfway through the night, Zayn leaned close to her ear. "Let's get some air."
Outside, the garden was quiet.
Elira let out a breath. "You're surprisingly good at pretending."
He glanced at her. "And you're surprisingly hard to ignore."
Her eyes widened.
He turned away just as quickly. "I meant— Never mind."
She stepped in front of him. "You meant what?"
He hesitated. For the first time, she saw something real flicker in his eyes. "I meant that… you've changed things. Even if I don't want to admit it."
Her heart pounded.
"Zayn…"
But just as the moment softened between them, someone appeared from the shadows of the garden.
A woman.
Tall. Beautiful. Confident.
"Zayn," she purred. "It's been a while."
Elira froze.
Zayn's entire demeanor shifted. "What are you doing here, Celeste?"
The woman smirked. "Just wanted to see the wife."
Elira blinked. Wife?
"Oh, I'm sorry," Celeste added with a sweet, venomous smile. "Did he not tell you we were engaged once?"
Elira felt the cold wind hit harder than before.
Zayn stepped forward. "Celeste, don't—"
But it was too late. Elira had already walked away, back toward the lights, her heart racing, confusion and pain flooding her chest.
The drama had just begun.