The morning light filtered through the glass window.

A cruel reminder that she had woken up, but in a world that was not hers.

She stood before the large mirror in her bedroom, and her reflection stared back at her, duller and pale.

She had not gotten much sleep.

No. She could not afford to. 

Not with a pair of eyes secretly watching her.

“Breakfast is ready,” a maid announced from the doorway.

Trisha took a deep breath, trying to quiet her thoughts. “Be right there.” She voiced out.

Lucian was seated at the far end of the dining room.

His expression was unreadable as he sipped coffee from a mug.

She noticed Victor and Lora's absence. 

“You're late,” he said, not looking up.

“I'm sorry. I didn't know breakfast came with a timer.” She replied.

“Everything here is timed, Miss. Including appearances. Do I really have to teach you everything?” he said, finally looking up at her. 

Trisha ignored his question and took a seat, reaching for a piece of toast. 

The smell of eggs suddenly hit her, and her stomach churned as a wave of nausea rolled through her. 

Cold  sweat broke over her brow as she reached instead for a glass of water, her fingers trembling around it.

She had not taken her pregnancy pills for a while. 

And now the morning sickness was making her pay.

She noticed Lucian's calculating eyes on her. 

“I'm fine,” she lied quickly. “Just not a breakfast person.”

*******

Trisha walked into the auction hall alongside Lucian. 

An event Lora had insisted was unmissable. 

She wore an expensive red satin dress Lora had equally picked for her, with a small note attached to it:

‘A Cross should never look like a pity project.’

Trisha had wanted to burn it.

But she wore it instead.

The auction room glistered like a palace of wealth, with expensive antiques.

The endless chatter of rich women filled the air like static.

“Lucian,” they heard a small voice as a short woman in an equally red flowing dress approached them.

She walked up to Lucian and took his hands. “You came,” she said, beaming. 

“Of course. I had to see you,” Lucian replied. Giving her a small hug. 

The woman's eyes darted to Trisha. “Is this her?”

Lucian smiled, “Yes, Aunt,” pulling Trisha closer by the waist. Hoping his aunt wouldn't see through the lie. 

The woman in turn took Trisha's hand, patting it gently. “I'm so happy for you both.” She said with a wide smile, her aged, yellowing teeth on display, “I'm Elizabeth, Lucian's aunt. But you can call me Ellie. If you ever need anything, anything at all, I'll be here, okay?”

Trisha let out a quiet sigh of relief. 

At last..

someone who didn't treat her like an outsider. 

“Thank you,” Trisha replied. Giving her a small hug too.

She had told no one about the camera incident. 

She didn't trust anyone enough. 

Not even Lucian. 

The music swelled, and the sound of heels clanging on the tiled floor could be heard as the women danced around.

Lucian walks up to her. Without asking, he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

“I can't…” She protested.

“Relax. It's just for the cameras.”

The dance was slow and strained, both  moving stiffly at first. Trisha being conscious of the crowd, of their eyes. 

Lucian pressed lightly at her lower back. 

Moving her closer. Too close. Distracting her thoughts.

“You're good at pretending,” she murmured as he brought his face down to her nape. His warm breath fanning her neck.

“So are you,” he replied. The words left his lips in a whisper. Sending shivers down her spine.

His eyes flicked to her lips, just for a second. 

Trisha saw the hint of something dark in them..

Desire. Raw.

For a moment, the world narrowed as the tension between them thickened. 

He slowly leaned in…

Heat curled in her lower belly as she slowly parted her lips to meet his.

Then he stopped. 

His lips hovered at her ear. “Don’t fall for the illusion,” he said. Stepping away from her.

At a distance, Trisha could feel a pair of cold eyes shooting daggers at her.

She looked up and saw her..

Lora.

********

Back at the mansion, Trisha wandered the main building. Her heels silent on the thick carpet as she walked with caution, barely greeting the maids.

Then she saw it.

Victor's office.

It was almost impossible not to recognize, distinct from every other room in the house.

She turned the doorknob, it was unlocked.

Dangerously unlocked.

She tiptoed in. Eyes scanning the dark room..

Also empty.

Her eyes fell on a phone on the side table.

Victor’s.

Unlocked too. 

A chilling message on its screen:

‘There's something she's not telling. I'll find out what. Be patient. She won't be Mrs. Cross for long.”

She looked at the recipient—

‘Elena.’

The name sounded familiar, like a jolt straight through her spine.

Who was she?

She heard faint footsteps approach, and she quickly slipped out of the room in a swift, silent dash. 

But she hadn't noticed the small red light blinking steadily above the door.

She ran back to her secluded room and lay quietly on the bed.

A soft single knock made her jerk.

She opened her door to reveal a half-naked Lucian.

His freshly showered scent flooding her senses.

His expression was blank as he handed her a small, fancy purse. 

“You left this in the car,” he said.

“Thank you,” Trisha said, reaching for it.

Their fingers slightly brushed each other, and she swallowed hard.

Lucian turned to leave.

“Wait.” 

He stopped and turned back to her.

“Do you..wanna come inside?”

“Excuse me?” His voice was laced with amusement. 

“I-I don't know… I just… I'm sorry. forget it.”

Lucian took one stride towards her. Closing the space between them

“I've told you, Miss Reynolds, this is all a game. Stop pushing your luck.” He breathed.

“And that kiss…?”

“Was for the cameras,” Lucian murmured. His gaze flickering between her eyes and her lips.

A tight, electric silence hung between them. 

Trisha bit her lower lip as she whispered, "Prove it.” 

In one swift movement, Lucian closed the gap between them. 

His lips descended on hers. Rough. Hot. Hard.

With a deep urgency that made her heart race.

His tongue slid into her mouth. Devouring the sweetness. 

Trisha kissed him back with the same urgency.

Her fingers digging into his bare chest as she pressed her body into his, feeling every hard inch of him. 

He grabbed her hips. Pressing her further into him. Deepening the kiss. 

She moaned in pure ecstasy. Sending a pulse of need between her thighs. 

Lucian suddenly pulled away, his breath ragged as he cursed, “That was a mistake.”

Trisha looked at him, her face flushed. “Then why do you look like you want to do it again?”

Lucian clenched his fists as he turned and walked away. 

His mind circling back to what had just happened. 

The kiss was wrong.

But it had felt so good. 

And Trisha was right..

He wanted to do it again.