Chapter 3 Dinner with the Devil

The car pulled up to a sprawling estate in the upper hills of the city. Stone walls, iron gates, and armed security lined the perimeter like a fortress. It wasn't a home-it was a kingdom, and Elora felt like an intruder in someone else's war.

She sat silently beside Kaelan in the back of the car, her palms sweating against the fabric of her borrowed dress. It was an elegant black piece sent to her earlier by his assistant-tailored to perfection, yet it still felt like a costume. She kept her gaze ahead, avoiding the way Kaelan looked effortlessly regal in his charcoal suit, untouched by the storm brewing in her chest.

"Any last-minute instructions before I pretend to be your loving fiancée?" she muttered.

Kaelan didn't look at her. "Smile. Keep your voice calm. If my mother asks questions, let me answer them."

"That's it?"

He finally turned to her, his tone clipped. "Don't act like this is harder than it is. You signed the contract. Now act like it."

Elora's jaw clenched. "Don't worry. I'm a great actress."

As the car stopped, a uniformed staff member opened the door. Kaelan stepped out first, offering a hand she almost refused-almost. But she took it, and his grip was firm, controlled, like everything about him.

The entrance doors opened into a grand foyer lit by golden chandeliers. Marble floors gleamed beneath her heels, and oil paintings of men with Kaelan's eyes loomed down from the high walls.

"Elora."

The voice that called her name was warm, pleasant-almost too pleasant.

A woman appeared at the top of the staircase, descending with grace only years of refinement could teach. She wore deep emerald silk and pearls around her neck, her gray-streaked hair swept into a perfect bun. Her eyes were sharp as glass.

"Mother," Kaelan said, kissing her cheek. "This is Elora-my fiancée."

His mother smiled, and it was terrifying.

"Darling, you're even lovelier than the pictures."

Pictures?

Elora forced a smile, hating how quickly the mask was returning to her face. "Thank you, Mrs. Vale."

"Oh, call me Celeste," the woman said, linking her arm with Elora's. "Come, let's sit for dinner. I've been dying to meet the woman who finally tamed my son."

Elora cast Kaelan a sharp glance, but he only adjusted his cufflinks and followed behind them in silence.

Dinner was served in a dining room that felt more like a museum exhibit. A crystal chandelier glimmered above the long oak table, and three seats were set: one at each end and one beside Kaelan. Elora took her place quietly.

The food looked like something from a royal banquet, but Elora barely touched it. She could feel Celeste watching her, studying her every move.

"So, Elora," Celeste began, dabbing her lips with a linen napkin, "how did you two meet?"

Kaelan answered smoothly. "She started at the company a few months ago. We crossed paths. I noticed her. Simple as that."

Celeste's lips curved. "You noticed her? That's a first."

Elora chuckled lightly, trying to play along. "He wasn't exactly charming at first."

Kaelan shot her a warning glance, but she smiled sweetly.

"Sometimes it's the difficult ones who grow on you," Celeste replied. "My husband never smiled at me until our wedding night. And even then, it took champagne."

There was something bitter beneath the joke, and Elora filed that away in her mind.

Celeste leaned forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But forgive me, Elora. Your name-it doesn't ring old money. Where is your family from?"

Elora's throat tightened. "I... was raised by my mother and stepfather. We're not... exactly society people."

Kaelan jumped in. "She's not here for status, Mother."

"I never said she was," Celeste replied, her smile icy. "But if she's marrying into the Vale name, it's only fair to know what we're absorbing."

Elora's nails dug into her palm under the table. "There's not much to absorb. My family's in the past."

Celeste's eyes lingered on her for a beat too long. "I see."

Silence fell, heavy and loaded. Kaelan signaled for dessert, and the servers moved in quickly to replace the plates.

But just as the plates were cleared, Celeste set down her wine glass and tilted her head.

"You know, Kaelan," she said slowly, "you never mentioned why this engagement was so sudden."

Kaelan's expression didn't change. "Does it matter?"

Celeste smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Only that I've never known you to do anything without a reason."

Elora glanced at Kaelan. For the first time, his jaw twitched.

"I don't owe anyone an explanation," he said quietly.

"No," Celeste said. "But you do owe me honesty."

Elora opened her mouth, but Kaelan's hand suddenly rested on hers beneath the table-a warning.

Celeste's gaze dropped to their clasped hands.

Then her smile vanished. "You didn't choose her. Someone made you do this."

The room dropped into silence.

Kaelan stood slowly, pulling Elora up with him. "Thank you for dinner. We have to leave."

Celeste didn't move. Her voice followed them as they walked away.

"She deserves to know what kind of man you are, Kaelan."

Elora's heart pounded as Kaelan gripped her hand tighter.

Back in the car, the silence between them was unbearable.

Finally, she snapped. "What was that?"

Kaelan stared ahead. "My mother is manipulative. Ignore her."

"She said someone made you marry me. What does that mean?"

Kaelan didn't respond.

"Kaelan," she said sharply. "Answer me."

He turned his head, his voice like steel. "You agreed to play a role, Elora. Not ask questions."

She stared at him, stunned by the coldness in his tone.

But deep down, a seed of doubt had already been planted.

Because no matter how much Kaelan wanted to pretend this was a business transaction...

Something about this arrangement didn't add up.

And Elora had a terrible feeling-one that twisted in her gut like ice-that whatever Kaelan was hiding...

Would destroy them both.