Chapter 5

• The night before had left me raw.
• I’d barely slept. I kept tossing under the weight of what I heard... and what I saw.
• Ryan didn’t know I saw the file.
• He didn’t even further ask why I was in the study. He only looked at me for a few seconds before telling me to “get out” and shutting the door behind me like I hadn’t almost fainted inside.
• Now, it was gala day. My first public appearance as Mrs. Graham.
• Whatever that even meant.
• I stood in front of the mirror, half dressed.
• A deep wine-colored gown hugged my figure like it had been sewn straight onto my skin.
• The neckline dipped, tasteful but bold. My hair was curled and swept over one shoulder in soft waves.
• Even I had to admit... I looked… stunning.
• Ryan had hired a professional dresser. Apparently, nothing about his world was halfway.
• There was a knock, and Isla stepped in quietly. “The car’s ready, ma’am. The boss is waiting.”
• Right.
• The boss.
• I glanced back at the mirror one last time. My face was calm, but my thoughts were anything but.
• The file.
• The address.
• Ryan… being a substitute.
• Was any of this real?
• I adjusted the simple diamond earrings Isla had helped put on earlier and stepped out.
• The staircase curved gently, its marble steps glowing under the soft lighting . I held the banister lightly as I walked down.
• My heels clicked softly with each step, but all I could hear were my thoughts, tumbling over themselves.
• He’s not really crippled.
• He’s not even the groom they wanted.
• So why marry me?
• When I reached the last step, I looked up.
• Ryan was standing by the door, facing the driveway. He turned when he heard me.
• And for a moment, his expression cracked. Just a second. But I saw it.
• Something flickered in his eyes.
• I could’ve sworn he stopped breathing.
• I almost smiled.
• Almost.
• We walked outside. The evening air was cool, the car sleek and black, waiting like it belonged in a movie. I slid in quietly.
• Ryan followed but stayed oddly silent.
• It wasn’t until about fifteen minutes into the drive that he finally spoke.
• “I know you heard everything last night.”
• I stiffened.
• My mouth opened. “ I… I didn’t mean to...”
• “It’s fine,” he cut in, voice low but not sharp this time. “You were curious. I would’ve done the same.”
• I swallowed and looked out the window. “ Still… I shouldn’t have listened.”
• He ignored that.
• “I am a substitute,” he said simply.
• I turned to him.
• He stared ahead, unmoved.
• “My half-brother was the one promised to your family. But he refused to marry Johanna. So he decided to sabotage the deal. Told them the groom was crippled. Dying.”
• My fingers curled into the fabric of my gown.
• “But our grandfather… he didn’t back out. The deal was too important. So I took Carl’s place.”
• “And the wheelchair ?” I asked softly.
• He didn’t flinch.
• “I needed to play the part. A man ‘dying’ doesn’t walk into his wedding.”
• I looked at him. “But why are you telling me this?”
• Ryan turned his head. His eyes met mine.
• “Because you’re not stupid. And now you know. Whether I like it or not.”
• We didn’t speak again for the rest of the ride.
• When the car slowed, the driver stepped out quickly and opened Ryan’s door. Ryan got out, straightened his jacket, then came around to my side.
• He opened my door and held out his hand.
• I hesitated, but slid my fingers into his palm.
• Warm. Calm. Not what I expected.
• He didn’t say anything, just held on as we walked into the venue together.
• People turned.
• Gasps.
• Whispers.
• “That’s Ryan Graham.”
• “He’s walking.”
• “ Didn’t they say he was crippled?”
• “What the hell?”
• I kept my head up.
• Inside, the gala was in full swing… richly dressed guests, glasses clinking, soft music playing from somewhere behind the giant floral arch.
• We were called up shortly after. Ryan gave a short speech, thanking the guests. I stood quietly beside him, trying to look calm. My stomach was tight. I could feel eyes all over me.
• When we stepped down from the podium, a round of polite applause followed us.
• Then I saw her.
• Johanna.
• Of course the Bennetts would be here.
• Standing by the back with her mother. Their faces were pinched with confusion. Shock.
• They hadn't known.
• They thought Ryan was sick. Weak.
• He wasn’t.
• Their eyes followed us across the room like they were watching ghosts.
• Ryan leaned toward me. “I need to greet a few people. I’ll find you in a minute.”
• I nodded and off he went.
• I didn’t see her coming.
• One second I was catching my breath from the crowd’s attention, and the next… there she was.
• Johanna.
• Dressed in a body-hugging emerald gown, flawless makeup, diamond earrings that sparkled under the chandelier like they had something to prove.
• And that smile.
• Sharp. Poisoned at the corners.
• “Well, well… ” she drawled, blocking my path with her glass of champagne. “ Didn’t think you had it in you.”
• I didn't flinch. “In me to do what?”
• “To play the long game,” she said, her eyes running from my curled hair down to my heels. “To snag a Graham.”
• I didn’t respond.
• She laughed lightly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “From mugshots to million-dollar events. I gotta say, it’s impressive. Who knew a prison record came with perks ?”
• “Still obsessed with my past?” I said, lifting my brow. “Thought you'd be too busy keeping up with your Botox appointments.”
• Her smile thinned.
• “Oh, please, Lucia. Let’s not pretend you belong here. You may have gotten the title, but you and I both know this isn’t real. Just a cover-up marriage, isn’t it?”
• My fingers twitched around the clutch in my hand.
• She leaned in slightly, voice low. “You think this changes anything? You’re still just the substitute bride. The one they picked to take my place when I said no.”
• My jaw tightened, but I stayed still.
• She smirked. “You think he wanted you? Don’t fool yourself. You’re a prop. And once the show ends, he’ll toss you back where he found you.”
• My heart pounded, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.
• “And yet here I am,” I said calmly, “standing next to your supposed groom while you’re seething in a corner.”
• She stepped closer, her perfume flooding my nose. “Enjoy the fantasy while it lasts. Because that’s all it is. You’ e just borrowing him. Renting the crown. But you and I both know... he’s not yours.”
• “And what would you know about being chosen?” I said, voice low. “You weren’t rejected for me. You were never considered to begin with. That must sting.”
• Her face twitched.
• “You bitch,” she whispered.
• I tilted my head. “That’s Mrs. Bitch to you.”
• Then came the voice behind me.
• “Is there a problem here?”
• Ryan.
• His tone was calm, polite even. But there was a warning behind it, cold and crisp.
• Johanna turned, her smile reappearing like a mask. “ Ryan, darling.”
• “Miss Bennett.” His voice was calm. Cold.
• He was standing a few feet away, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.
• “I hope you’re enjoying the evening,” he said politely.
• Johanna straightened, schooling her face into something prettier.
• “I was just congratulating your wife,” she said quickly, moving toward him slightly. “She looks beautiful tonight.”
• “Thank you,” Ryan replied, stepping back just enough to avoid her hand grazing his jacket. “She does.”
• Johanna blinked.
• He offered her a tight nod, then reached out and laced his fingers with mine.
• “She’s stunning,” he added, eyes now on me. “And very much mine.”
• Then he looked back at Johanna, polite smile fading.
• “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
• He didn’t let her say anything else before he added, “Excuse us.”
• He reached for my hand… confident, easy... and laced his fingers with mine. His grip was firm. Possessive.
• As he guided me away, I felt the burn of Johanna's glare against my back.
• I looked once... just once.
• And I saw her.
• Unmasked. Rattled. Enraged.
• You thought I was a pawn.
• Now watch me play.