The Billionaire Wrong Bride

s. Lina stared out the window, clutching her clutch nervously. Tonight was her first major public a

n his thigh, close enough that she could feel the warmth, but not too close. "Just st

y for you to say, she tho

-

casting golden light across the polished marble floors. Elegant women in flowing gowns and men in tailored tuxedo

ought. Her smile felt forced, her polite nods stiff. She answered greetings and h

owd with practiced ease, introducing her, answering questions, and

diant tonight," a woman

ied softly, forcing h

faintly, prid

-

ts, laugh at the right times, and speak just enough to maintain the illusion. The world saw Amara Hale, t

him-one of his long-term investors. The man's expression was

" he said

f the room. Lina, lost in conversation with other guests, didn't hear the exchange at all. She laugh

-

ed some information... your wife-she's in another country.

ked. Then bl

controlled. "You think I don't know wh

wned. "I-I mean.

His eyes flicked toward Lina, who was smiling and chatting casually with a group of gal

ominic wasn't interested in his warnings. Dominic's calm, controlled ga

a simple nod. He returned to the main ballroom,

-

der his gaze. Dominic didn't scold, didn't question-he simply to

ve tonight," he said quietly

of the guests." She avoided his gaze, feeling suddenly guilty for laugh

w everything, Amara. You're here. Wi

ked, conf

. "Not now. Not tonight." He gave her hand a reass

-

iding her subtly through the crowd. When someone asked her opinion, he would nod supportively, giving

ogate her. He didn't need to accuse. His calm, quiet presence alone was

aintain her composure, answering questions politely, smiling at cameras

-

. The lights below twinkled like distant stars, a reminder of the world that went

tly, his voice almost lost in the n

t ached. "I

e than try.

He wasn't looking at her as Amara Kingsley, the woman she was pretending to b

made her c

-

n, but the whispers lingered. Guests exchanged glances, and some nodded in approv

eved. For the first time, she fe

s another day," he said quietly. "Another step forw

er clutch tightly. "I.

s voice low but certain