MICHAEL’S POV

I got home that night and told my parents about the proposal. They were thrilled, excited like it was something real. Something that mattered.

And just like that, I started planning a proposal I wasn’t even interested in. I set it three days from now, a Friday.

The night had to be flawless.

Not for her.

Not even for me.

For them.

My parents. The world watching.

They had to believe every second of it.

I told my assistant to book the rooftop garden at Le Rêve Hotel, classy, open-air, with just the right view of the skyline. I didn’t want glitz. I wanted elegance. Something that whispered wealth instead of shouting it.

The ring? I picked it myself. I went to the finest store in New York, asked for discretion and quality.

I got the same size I once bought for Natasha, if Alessa can look like her then the finger fit would be close enough.

It wasn’t a loud ring, just a cushion-cut diamond set in platinum. Quietly commanding. Expensive, because of course it was.

The guest list was curated: a few friends, trusted business partners, influencers I could rely on not to leak a word early. Performers to fill the silence. Everyone who mattered. Everyone who’d post.

A day before, I finally called her.

“Clear your schedule Friday night. You’re coming with me.”

“To where?”

“You’ll see. Just dress well. I mean it, Alessa, elegant. Feminine. There will be cameras.”

A pause.

“Michael… is this…”

“Yes,” I cut her off. “The proposal. You wanted real? I’ll give you something real. And bring your mum, my parents would love to meet he….”

Click.

She ended the call. On me.

God, no one’s ever done that to me. The nerve of this girl.

Friday came faster than I wanted.

She arrived right on time. I heard her before I saw her, the soft sound of heels on the polished floor. When I turned

My breath caught.

Just for a second. Annoying.

She wore a soft blush gown, silky, simple, probably thrifted and yet, it fell right on her. Hair down in waves. Lips painted a soft, dangerous red.

She didn’t look stunning. But she looked ready.

Smart girl. She came to play her part.

“Michael,” she said as I walked up to the entrance.

The security guards stiffened.

“Oh, let her in. I know her,” I said with a scoff, waving them off.

She smiled at me, faint, fake, but well-crafted. Just warm enough to sell it. I nodded, saying nothing. She was already doing better than I expected.

Music began the moment we stepped onto the rooftop just as I planned. Soft piano. Dim lights. White roses crawling up gold-wrapped pillars. Fairy lights above. The guests turned. Applause broke out.

This was it.

I guided her toward the center, a circle of white petals laid just for us.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Daniel whisper, “Finally,” to someone. Camera phones lifted. I hated being the center of attention, I hated cameras.

But for this illusion? I'd take the spotlight.

I turned to her and took her hand.

She didn’t flinch.

She smiled at me, at them, at everyone. Like a woman in love.

She tilted her head, soft greyish blue eyes meeting mine. Damn. She could be dangerous with acting like this.

I reached inside my jacket and pulled out the box. The ring glinted under the lights.

The crowd held its breath.

I knelt.

I’ve never knelt for anyone before. Not once.

But for this lie? I made it look holy.

“Alessa Harter,” I began, voice low and steady. I remembered how much time Ethan spent helping me rehearse.

“From the moment you walked into my life, you’ve been a storm I didn’t see coming. Sharp, unpredictable, relentless... and still, somehow, unforgettable.”

Someone gasped. A woman clutched her chest. So much drama from that gender.

I kept going.

“I don’t believe in fate or fairy tales. But I believe in us, in creating something that looks like magic. Even if it started from nothing.”

I looked into her eyes and held the stare.

“Will you marry me?”

A scream broke the silence. My mother.

Alessa laughed, just a soft one, but I caught it. I shouldn’t have told my mum anything. Mistake.

For one painful second, time froze.

Then Alessa nodded. Slow. Graceful. A smile bloomed on her face like it was the happiest moment of her life.

It wasn’t.

But she could’ve fooled anyone.

“Yes.”

The rooftop exploded in applause. Flash after flash went off. I rose and slipped the ring onto her finger.

Her hand didn’t tremble.

She leaned in, arms around my shoulders.

It looked perfect.

But I knew the truth, the warmth was fake.

She whispered in my ear, her voice like silk-laced venom:

“Was that convincing enough for you?”

I smirked, pulling her close.

“Almost.”

She leaned closer again, lips barely moving.

“Mine was perfect. Yours was trashy.”

Then she pulled away and walked off the stage.

I didn’t stop her.

I didn’t need to.

The world believed it.

My parents were glowing. Laughing. Talking to Alessa like she was already family.

I stood there, watching.

They adored her more by the minute, asking questions, touching her arm like they knew her. She even faked another laugh.

They didn't care if I just met her a day before, they were just glad I brought a wife home.

Then a love song started playing, slow and rich. One of my idiotic friends called out, “They should dance!”

Others joined in “Dance, dance!”

Of course.

I stepped toward her and offered my hand. She took it like it meant nothing.

We walked to the center. Cameras were still rolling.

As we danced, I leaned in, tone casual but cold. “Why isn’t your mum here?”

She kept smiling, forged, constant.

“Because she’s sick. You fool. And my uncle is out of town. I already explained all that to your parents, they are so much smarter.”

She sounded irritated, sharp. The hatred was right beneath the skin.

I twirled her.

“You haven’t sent the money for my mum's treatment,” she said as I caught her again.

She wasn’t pretending anymore.

I looked down at her, “I will send the money as soon as this dance is over.” I said sincerely.

But she didn’t know what was coming after tha

t. Didn’t know how small she really was in my game.

She thought I was being kind for the sake of the crowd. She thought that was it.

Oh, she had no idea.

But she would. Soon.