Chapter 1
The small TV hanging in the corner of the café flickered with the vibrant, high-definition face ofNina Levi. She looked ethereal—part goddess, part industry titan—draped in silk that likely cost more than the café’s entire lease.
The headline scrolling across the bottom of the screen in bold, neon letters read:“THE FACE OF A GENERATION & THE HEIR TO A FORTUNE: NINA LEVI AND ROMEO CASTOR CONFIRMED?”
Amelia tightened her grip on her ceramic mug, the warmth of the coffee barely registering against the sudden chill in her chest. On screen, grainy paparazzi footage showed Nina stepping out of a low-slung silver sports car, her hand resting naturally on the arm ofRomeo Castor. He was the kind of handsome that felt unfair—sharp jawline, effortless style, and the casual confidence of a man whose last name opened every door in the world.
“They’re saying she’s the highest-paid actress in history now,” the barista whispered, leaning over the counter to catch the segment. “And him? His father literally owns the satellite that’s broadcasting this.”
Amelia watched as Romeo leaned in to whisper something into Nina’s ear, causing the supermodel to break into a rare, genuine smile. The world saw a power couple; the magazines saw a billion-dollar brand merger.
Amelia stripped into her pajamas the moment she got home, the quiet of the apartment a sharp contrast to the noise of the day. A sudden knock at the door revealed Nina. Amelia’s lips curled into a smirk as she pulled her inside, and they collided in a passionate kiss that shifted the very air in the room. The moment the door clicked shut, the jealousy that had simmered in the cafe transformed into a frantic, possessive heat.
“The highest-paid actress in the world,” Amelia breathed, her hands sliding up to frame Nina’s face. “The face of every luxury brand on the planet. You looked incredible on the news.”
Nina’s smirk widened. She no longer looked like the untouchable icon from the screen; she looked like someone who had finally come home. She hooked her fingers into the waistband of Amelia’s pajama pants, pulling her flush against her.
“It’s all a performance, Mel,” Nina whispered, her voice low and husky. “The car, the cameras, Romeo… it’s all just noise to keep the world wanting more.”
Nina leaned down, her kisses tracing a path from Amelia’s jaw to the hollow of her throat. Amelia exhaled sharply, her head falling back as she ran her fingers through Nina’s perfectly styled hair, undoing the professional work without a second thought. Nina’s hold tightened, her strength surprising given her delicate public image, as she pulled Amelia closer, the two of them lost in the moment.
The intensity between them was fueled by the hours Amelia had spent watching Nina belong to the public. As they kissed again, the rest of the world—including the billionaire heir and the silver sports car—seemed to disappear entirely.
Nina led her toward the sofa, the silence of the penthouse providing a sanctuary against the flashing bulbs and chaos downstairs. In this private space, the carefully constructed persona of the global superstar fell away, leaving only the woman who loved Amelia.
“How much longer can you keep this up?” Amelia asked softly, her voice trembling slightly as she looked into Nina’s eyes. “The press tours... Romeo... the constant casting?”
Nina settled onto the cushions, keeping Amelia close. A flicker of exhaustion crossed her face, the kind she never permitted a camera to see. “The contract with the studio has eighteen months left. Until then, Romeo is the perfect distraction. He enjoys the prestige of the association just as much as the studio enjoys the headlines.”
She reached out, tracing the line of Amelia’s cheek with a tenderness that replaced the fierce energy of moments before. “But this—this is the only thing that’s real. Everything else is just a script.”
Amelia leaned her forehead against Nina’s, the weight of their secret pressing down on them. Outside, the distant sound of a siren served as a reminder that the city was still moving, watching, and still waiting for the next piece of Nina’s life to be sold. For now, however, the door remained locked, and the world was kept at bay.
