Chapter 2

The low hum of the Rolls-Royce filled the silence as it glided through the moonlight streets of the city, the tinted windows blocked out the flash of cameras and the chaos they'd left behind ag the wedding venue.

Alex leaned back into the leather seat, eyes closed, a faint smile lingering in his lips. His had rested gently in Dianna's.

She didn't respond to the touch.

Not with her usual soft squeeze or affectionate nudge.

His fingers remained stiff cold.

Alex cracked and eye open to glance at her, she was staring out the window, her expression unreadable.

"We are married," he muttered, almost to himself. "I Just can't believe it."

Dianna forced herself to giggle, still looking out at the city, "yeah. Married."

He turned his head slightly. "You don't sound excited."

"I'm," she said quickly, her voice light. "Maybe I'm just nervous and tired."

Alex's smile faltered, but only for a second. "It was a lot today, Press, family, vows. You handled it all perfectly."

Her stomach twisted.

Perfect? She barely made it through without crumbling. Every moment felt like she was drowning in expectations she couldn't meet.

He gave her hands a light squeeze. "Okay."

She nodded, avoiding his eyes, "it's been.....an emotional day."

Alex tilted his head slightly, " I know, that's not like you."

Dianna's breath caught.

He frowned faintly. "I mean – you usually light up the room. Always talking, laughing. But the emotions was much today that you couldn't do all that."

She turned to face him her smile were more convincing this time, "I've just been nervous, marriage nerves I guess."

He nodded slowly, though concern still lingered behind his eyes.

"You're sure?" He asked again, voice a little softer, "you feel distance Daph."

Dianna hesitated, her stomach curling with guilt. "I'm okay, Alex. I'm just need to settle into everything."

He stared at her for a moment longer before giving her a brief smile.

"Alright, you're fine."

"Of course," she said.

Another lie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The car pulled up to the towering glass structure that was Alex's penthouse. A valet opened the door for her, and she stepped out into the night, her dress shimmering under the lights but her heart weighed like stone.

Alex wrapped an arm around her waist as they entered the building, his touch warm, familiar.

It made her feel like a fraud.

She was walking thorough the grand hallway, posing as her sister, pretending to be in love with a man she barely knew.

When the elevators doors opened and they stepped into the penthouse, Dianna froze for a moment.

Everything was pristine and perfect, just like Daphne had described.

But it was nothing like home to her.

Alex didn't notice her pause, he walked ahead, loosening his tie, still beaming. "I told the staff not to wait up. Tonight's just for us."

Dianna managed a nod, following him into the elegant living space. The light were dimmed, soft jazz played in the background, and a bottle of vintage champagne sat chilling in a golden bucket.

He turned to her, offering a flute.

"To us," he said raising his glass.

"To us," she echoed, tapping her glass to his.

He drank.

She barely sipped.

Alex chuckled. "Married Iife already turning you off with champagne?"

"Maybe just tired," she said, setting the glass down on the table.

He walked toward her slowly, his gaze gentle now. "You looked beautiful today when you walked down the aisle, I felt like I couldn't breathe."

Dianna's chest tightened, she looked down, her fingers clasping each other. "Thank you."

"I've dreamed about tonight," he continued stepping closer, his hand brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "of finally having you all yo myself. No media, no interruption. Just us."

Dianna's heart pounded, she tried not to stiffen under his touch.

"I love you Daphne."

She nodded again, too afraid to say the word back.

He leaned in and kissed her.

It was gentle at first, hesitant.

Then deeper.

His hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer.

She didn't resist,she kissed him back, trying to mimic the way Daphne might have.

Soft, confident, inviting.

But she didn't know how Daphne kissed.

And Alex sensed indifferent, he slowed down, pulling back just slightly to look at her. "You okay?"

Dianna forced a smile. "Yes."

"You sure?"

She nodded again. "Let just.....take it slow."

He gave a small chuckle. "I wasn't planning to rush, love."

He kissed her again, his head moving to unzip her dress.

Dianna's breath hitched.

She let the fabric fall slightly off her shoulder before stepping back. "Wait."

Alex paused, frowning lightly, "what's wrong?"

"I-um-just....I think. I need a moment," she stammered. "It's a big night and–"

"You're nervous?"

"A little."

Alex watched her carefully. "Daphne, we've done this before. Why are you nervous."

She bit her lip, looking away. "I guess I just feel different tonight."

"What changed?" He reached for her hands. " Daphne, I don't want you to feel pressured. But we've waited for this for a long time. I was hoping.... tonight would be special."

Dianna swallowed hard. "It's. I'm just .... overwhelmed. Please don't take it the wrong way."

Alex looked at her for a long moment, then sighed and stepped back. "Alright," he said gently, "we don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with."

Relief swept through her. "Thank you,"

He nodded once, but the warmth in his eyes had cooled just a little.

Dianna stepped away and picked up the silk robe left on the bed, wrapping it tightly around herself.

Alex walked over to the window, gazing out into the city.

She watched him from behind, his silhouette outlined in moonlight.

He was happy.

Excited.

And she had ruined it.

Because she wasn't Daphne.

Dianna crawled into the bed, staring at the ceiling.

How long could she keep pretending?

How long until Alex started asking the right question?

Would he still be kind of he found out the truth?

Would he still smile at her like he did today?

She curled into the sheets, the sent of lavender and something expensive clinging to the pillows it smelled like her sister, like everything she wasn't.