Married To The Billionaire Stranger

sentinels, each one a testament to the staggering wealth Zara now found herself immersed in. Tonight was their first major public appearance as a married couple: the annual Kane Enterprises Charit

unde, Darius's ubiquitous PA, had made a brief appearance earlier, delivering a schedule that was timed down to the minute. "Mr. Kane expec

gainst her skin, a physical reminder of the life she was now inhabiting. She looked at herself in the full-length mirror. The woman staring back was almost unrecognizable. The shadows under her eyes, a lingering sign of the stress and sleepless nights, were expertly

But underneath the expensive facade, Zara felt

ck silk lapels hugging his broad shoulders. He looked devastatingly handsome, an unyielding force of nature in formal wear. His gaze swept over her, slow and assessing, and

ration. But there was a faint flicker in his eyes, a subtle pause in his assessment tha

r. Kane." Her voice was sharper than she intende

. Kane. This evening is about presentation. We are a united front. Any hint of... discord, will be detrimental." His gaze sh

in the air. Zara simply nodded, her jaw tight

her. It was a purely formal gesture, an

was warm, firm, and her fingers tingled. He led her out of the closet and

dripped crystal, reflecting off polished marble floors. Women in couture gowns sparkled like constellations, and men in bespoke

light that made Zara instinctively flinch. Darius, however, remained unperturbed, his expression as unreadable as ever, his grip firm on

on her, every whisper, every speculative glance. She was the woman who had married the elusi

er to various business partners, government officials, and influential figures. Zara found herself drawing upon reserves of charm and intelligence she hadn't known she pos

an artificial warmth that fooled everyone but Zara. He would occasionally squeeze her arm or rest his hand lightly on her waist, subtle gestures of inti

saw her. Va

moved with an almost predatory grace, her eyes, dark and glittering, locked onto Darius and Zara. She wasn't alon

aid, her voice dripping with a condescending sweetness. She extended a manicured hand towards Zara, her long, sharp nails a hint of th

utsider. But she had anticipated this. She met Vanessa's gaze directly, her smile unwavering. "Thank you, Vane

Zara. It wasn't a loud, boisterous sound, but a deep, resonant rumble that sent a strange warmth through Zara. His eyes met hers

telling the ladies how much I missed seeing you at the Polo Club. It's been far too long since we had a proper chat. Pe

know my schedule is incredibly demanding. Besides," he glanced at Zara, his hand once again settling on the small

m dismissal. Vanessa's face tightened, her eyes flashing with a combination o

f you, Darius. Do enjoy the rest of the evening." She turned abruptly, s

tegic way. It was a small victory, but it made her feel less like a lone soldier in this strange

r gratitude. But the way he looked at her, a silent intensity that seemed to penetrate her carefully constructed

cticed ease, to smile genuinely when appropriate, and to project an air of sophisticated confidence. She even engaged in a few genuine

erted himself into the conversation, his cold, cutting remarks dispatching the man with surgical precision. When a nosy reporter tried to ask about their "wh

But as Darius consistently presented her as his chosen partner, his gestures subtle yet possessive, a ne

from a distance. He moved through the crowd with an almost predatory grace, a king in his domain. He wasn't dancing, or engaging in frivolous chatter. He was n

ance floor, watching the couples sway. Darius approached her, his hand ext

aced her hand in his, and he led her onto the dance floor. His arm wrapped around her waist, pull

th radiating from his body, the faint scent of his cologne. Her gaze drifted up to his face. His eyes were closed for a moment, t

ied to suppress. This wasn't real. This was for show. But for a few stolen moments, encircled in his arms, the distinction blurre