Chapter 1 almost felt real
Ruby: "OMG... Cermila Cruz?"
I froze and turned to face her.
People immediately began asking if Ruby knew me, but everything around me faded into silence. My mind went blank.
Then Vector's warning echoed in my head, dragging me back to reality.
I had to act now.
Or I feared the worst.
"Excuse me?" I asked, my voice calm and cold, even though inside I was desperately searching for an escape.
Ruby let out a mocking laugh before raising her voice.
Ruby: "So you do know how to speak, slut. I'm not surprised you seduced your way to the top."
For a brief second, I froze.
Then I forced myself to compose my expression and crossed my arms.
Cermila: "Seduced?"
My calm tone made Ruby hesitate.
I had never spoken back to her.
Not once.
For the first time, I realized I actually could.
Even if this confidence belonged to a life I had borrowed...
I would use it.
I slowly walked toward her, my eyes sharp.
Cermila: "Let's make one thing clear."
The whispers around us grew louder.
Cermila: "Slandering me is a mistake on your part. You haven't just insulted me—you've insulted my dear husband as well. Trust me, you wouldn't want to find out who that is."
Ruby instinctively took a small step back.
I continued.
Cermila: "All you do is run your mouth. Didn't your parents teach you proper manners? I am no longer Cermila Cruz."
I looked directly into her eyes.
Cermila: "I'm Mrs. Blackwood... and you should never cross me. Or else—"
A low chuckle interrupted me.
Cold.
Familiar.
Vector.
Before I could react, he slipped an arm around my waist. His fingers felt icy even through my dress as he pulled me against him. His presence alone was enough to make everyone nearby turn toward us.
Vector: "Or else what, my love?"
The words struck me.
My love.
It was fake.
But to everyone watching...
It looked real.
So I accepted the invitation.
Cermila: "I would have you ruined before you could even open your eyes."
Ruby stared at me in horror.
I'd never seen fear on her face before.
She opened her mouth to argue, but I spoke first.
Cermila: "The illegitimate child of Caesar... and yet you still think you have the right to insult others."
Her face lost every bit of color.
I turned toward Vector.
He smiled with quiet approval.
Then, without warning...
He kissed me.
It wasn't deep.
It lasted only a second.
But it looked real enough.
Camera flashes exploded around us as people hurried to capture the moment.
Gasps filled the room.
Ruby stood frozen, tears beginning to gather in her eyes.
A dark satisfaction settled inside me.
It frightened me...
Yet somehow, it also felt good.
Vector guided me away without another word.
---
A while later, I picked up a glass of wine and stood before a painting while the guests returned to their conversations.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ruby speaking with her father.
Then someone stopped beside me.
He looked around twenty-nine or thirty years old, with long brown hair neatly tied back. Unlike everyone else, he wore a simple suit instead of something expensive. A pair of glasses rested on his face, giving him a surprisingly gentle appearance.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he asked while looking at the painting.
I glanced at him.
"My apologies," he added with a warm smile. "I simply admire this artist's style."
His voice caught me off guard.
It wasn't arrogant.
It wasn't threatening.
It was... warm.
Something deep inside me responded to it.
I found myself smiling.
If he was a guest, why was he dressed so simply?
Finally, I spoke.
Cermila: "I'm Cermila Blackwood. And you are?"
He smiled politely.
"I already know who you are, Mrs. Blackwood. It's an honor to meet you. My name is Williams... but you can call me Will."
Something about him felt strangely familiar.
As if we had met before.
Yet I couldn't remember where.
We spent a while talking about paintings, favorite colors, and even the taste of the wine.
Eventually, he excused himself and walked away.
For the first time in days...
I had spoken to someone who wasn't trying to boast...
Or threaten my life.
A brief moment of peace...
That almost felt real.
