Vows in the Shadows
tared at her reflection in the mirror, feeling like a stranger in her own skin. The jeweled necklace around her neck sparkled under the dim light of h
ardo standing there, impeccable in a tailored black tuxedo. His presence fille
," he said, his voic
yes. "Perfectly out of place," she r
ne. Just remember-confidence is everything. Tonight, yo
eply, nodding. "A
e, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Then
lights streaming through the tinted windows. Amanda's heart raced as she rehearsed polite smiles and prac
marble floors that gleamed underfoot. Amanda tightened her grip on Leonardo's arm as they stepped through the grand entrance. Th
iosity rippling through the crowd. Amanda's stomach twis
lding a glass of champagne. "Leonardo," he said warmly, though his sha
smoothly. "Allow me to in
t the weight of his scrutiny. "A pleasure to
p firm despite her nerve
anding. "Victor, I'm sure you'll excus
hey moved through the crowd, Amanda caught snippets of whispered conver
Amanda asked u
is tone neutral. "A business associ
the advice did littl
political figures, and socialites whose names she struggled to remember. Some greeted her warmly, others
fire. Her smile was as sharp as the diamonds adorning her neck. "Le
e," Leonardo said,
g through them before she smiled again. "Fiancée? My, how
on remained unreada
g on Amanda. "Well, congratulations. Though
d a smile. "
arries a lot of... baggage. But I'm sure Le
so slightly. "Amanda is well aware of what she's st
e saccharine. "Of course. I'm sur
e breath she hadn't realized she was holding
onardo replied curtly. "D
more, but the look in Leona
the surface, Amanda could feel the undercurrent of tension. She was an outsider in
ood around her plate, her appetite nonexistent. Beside her, Leonardo was the p
was served that the even
Matteo, leaned closer to Amanda. "So, Amanda," he
he replied, keepin
smirk. "And yet here you are, engaged to one of the
flushed. "It's
it is. Tell me, do you know what you're getting
gh the tension like a blad
ck surrender. "No offense, Le
that made Matteo look away. Amanda swallowe
ally drained. As they stepped into the limo, t
ll," Leonardo said final
I? Because it felt like they were
y'll test you. That's how this world works. B
past. She had agreed to this arrangement to escape her struggles, but ton
her hand. "This is just the beginning," he said, his voice so
f insincerity. For a moment, she thought she s
she said quietly before