Nora's POV
The dress costs more than three months of my old salary.
I stare at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back. Hair styled by professionals. Makeup applied by someone who murmured about bringing out my natural beauty. Heels that could double as weapons.
You look terrified. Dominic appears behind me, devastatingly handsome in a dark suit.
I look like I'm playing dress-up.
You look like my wife. He adjusts his watch. Ready to face the firing squad?
Do I have a choice?
Not really. But his hand finds mine, warm and steady. Just follow my lead. We're madly in love. Nothing they say can shake us.
The restaurant makes me want to run screaming back to the penthouse.
Crystal chandeliers. White tablecloths. Servers who move like trained dancers. Every other person looks like they own a small country.
A tiny, elegant woman sits at the corner table. Despite obvious frailty, her eyes are sharp as cut diamonds.
Grandmother. Dominic's entire demeanor softens. He kisses her papery cheek with genuine tenderness.
Dominic, darling. Eleanor Ashford turns those knowing eyes on me. So you're the girl who stole my grandson's heart.
My brain blanks. I didn't steal anything. He
Dominic squeezes my hand. Hard. A warning.
She swept me off my feet, he interrupts smoothly. One look and I knew.
Eleanor's smile suggests she doesn't believe a single word. How romantic. Though I must admit, I'm surprised. Dominic's always been so... controlled about his personal life.
Love makes fools of us all, he says.
Indeed. Eleanor sips her wine, studying us. Tell me, Nora dear, what do you do?
I'm a paralegal. At Morrison & Chase.
How interesting. And how did you two meet?
Panic flutters in my chest. We didn't prepare a story.
City Hall, I say truthfully. It was unexpected.
Love usually is. Eleanor's eyes twinkle. Though marrying within hours seems rather impulsive, even for people in love.
When you know, you know, Dominic says, his thumb tracing circles on my hand under the table.
The touch sends electricity up my arm. Business, I remind myself. This is just business.
How delightfully romantic. Victoria's voice cuts through the moment like a knife.
She glides toward us, beautiful and cold in a crimson dress. Two older men in expensive suits follow—sharks in human form.
Victoria. Dominic's voice could freeze fire. So kind of you to join us.
I wouldn't miss meeting my new cousin. Victoria's smile is all teeth. She extends a manicured hand. Victoria Ashford-Kent. VP of Ashford Industries.
I shake her hand. Her grip crushes mine—a test.
Nora Chen.
Nora Ashford now, Dominic corrects, pulling me closer. His arm wraps around my waist, possessive and protective.
Victoria's eyes narrow. Of course. How silly of me. You've been Nora Chen for twenty-eight years. Must be strange, changing your identity overnight.
Not when it means being with the right person, I say sweetly.
Eleanor actually laughs. I like her, Dominic. She has spine.
The board members introduce themselves—Robert Chen and David Martinez. Both study me like I'm a questionable investment.
Dinner is three hours of polite warfare.
So, Nora, Robert says, cutting his steak with surgical precision. What attracts a paralegal to our Dominic here?
His charming personality, I deadpan.
Dominic chokes on his wine. James who arrived late grins openly.
She's funny too, Eleanor says approvingly. Dominic needs someone who doesn't take him too seriously.
How convenient, Victoria murmurs. A whirlwind romance right when Grandmother's health declines. One might think the timing was... strategic.
The table goes silent.
One might think you're being incredibly rude, Eleanor says mildly. But that would require self-awareness, wouldn't it, dear?
Victoria's smile tightens. I'm simply concerned for the family. Dominic's judgment hasn't always been sound. Remember that technology deal three years ago? The one that nearly bankrupted us?
The one that made us two billion, James interjects. That deal?
After nearly destroying us first. Victoria's eyes gleam. Dominic takes unnecessary risks. I'd hate to see his new wife become another casualty of his... impulsiveness.
Dominic's hand tightens on his fork. Careful, Victoria.
Of what? Speaking truth? She leans forward. Tell me, Nora, did he mention how every woman he's ever cared about has suffered for it? How his obsession with the past ruins his future?
That's enough. Eleanor's voice cracks like a whip.
But Victoria isn't finished. I'm just saying, if this marriage is real—and that's a significant if—she deserves to know what she's signed up for.
The tension is suffocating. Board members exchange glances. James looks ready to throw his wine at Victoria.
I stand abruptly. Excuse me. Ladies' room.
The bathroom is blissfully empty. I grip the marble sink, breathing hard.
The door opens. Of course.
Let's stop pretending. Victoria's reflection appears behind mine. I know this marriage is fake.
My heart stops. I don't know what
Please. You met yesterday at City Hall. Married the same day. Dominic's never impulsive about anything except revenge. She steps closer. What's the arrangement? Money? Protection? What did he offer you?
He offered me nothing. We fell in love.
Love. She laughs. Dominic doesn't love. He's broken. Obsessed with proving his parents were murdered instead of accepting their deaths as the tragic accident it was. Her voice drips poison. He'll consume you with his paranoia. Destroy you with his obsession. And when you're used up, he'll discard you without a second thought.
You don't know him.
I've known him his entire life. I watched him drive away everyone who cared about him. Her eyes bore into mine. I'm actually trying to help you. Get out now, before you're collateral damage.
If you're trying to help, why do you sound so threatened?
Her mask slips for just a second. Rage flashes across her face.
You have no idea what you've walked into, she hisses. But you will. Soon.
She leaves, slamming the door.
I take a shaky breath, fix my lipstick with trembling hands.
When I return to the table, Dominic takes one look at my face and stands.
We're leaving.
Dominic, don't be ridiculous, Victoria protests. We haven't even had dessert
My wife is uncomfortable. We're done here. His voice leaves no room for argument.
Eleanor touches my hand gently. Come see me soon, dear. Just us. I'd like to get to know the real you.
The kindness in her eyes nearly undoes me.
In the car, silence stretches between us.
What did Victoria say? Dominic finally asks.
That you're broken. Obsessed. That you'll destroy me. I turn to face him. Is she right?
He's quiet for a long moment, staring out at the city lights.
Probably, he says softly.
My heart clenches.
But here's what Victoria doesn't understand. He finally looks at me, and there's something raw in his eyes. I spent ten years alone because it was safer. Easier. No one to disappoint or destroy. His hand finds mine in the darkness. Then you crashed into my life, literally, and for the first time in a decade, I don't feel like I'm drowning.
Dominic
This started as a business arrangement. I know that. You know that. His thumb traces my knuckles. But sitting at that table tonight, watching you hold your own against Victoria and the board, I realized something terrifying.
What?
I don't want this to be fake anymore.
The words hang between us, dangerous and thrilling.
My phone buzzes, shattering the moment.
Eleanor: He's falling for you. The question is, are you brave enough to fall back? Come for tea tomorrow. 2 PM. We need to talk. —E
I look at Dominic, his confession still echoing in my mind.
This was supposed to be simple. Business. Six months and done.
So why does the thought of walking away feel like ripping out my own heart?