Vanessa
As we sway back and forth with all eyes on us, his eyes meet mine, and something shifts in his expression. The playful smirk softens, replaced by a tenderness that catches me off guard. It's like I can almost sense a depth of emotion in his gaze that goes beyond the forced circumstances of our marriage.
I wonder if it's a figment of my imagination, a trick played by the dancer and the romantic atmosphere around us. After all, this is just a facade, and I'm merely a pawn he'll pretend to have affection for in the eyes of the rest of the world.
Yet, as we continue to dance, his gaze remains steady, and the warmth in his eyes feels too real. My heart pounds in my chest, and my entire body feels ablaze.
"Why are you blushing, Mama?" he teases.
I shake the fantasy from my head. "Uh, it's just hot in here with all the dancing or whatever," I lie, attempting to keep the emotion out of my voice. I look away, hoping he won't catch the hesitation in my gaze.
"So... Celeste seems nice," I murmur, changing the subject. His entire body immediately grows rigid beneath my touch. "If she isn't a good person, could someone explain why? You know, before she grows on me like Danny has," I add with a laugh, hoping to lighten the mood.
Okay, maybe that wasn't the right subject to bring up.
"Don't. She corrupts everything she touches, and I won't let her do that to you." His voice morphs into a tone that's not just hard and guarded but borderline menacing, a protective edge cutting through the air like a warning.
"What did she do so wrong?" I ask, my voice barely audible over the music. I know I shouldn't be pressing him right now, but my curiosity gets the best of me.
His jaw clenches, a palpable tension radiating from him. For a fleeting second, it seems like he might share the burden with me, but then he shakes his head. My heart squeezes, heavy with frustration, as the wall between us solidifies once again.
I don't know why I expected any differently. He's never going to open up to me. We're just husband and wife on paper, and it will never be anything more between us.
The moment passes, and we continue dancing in the heavy silence, my initial sadness transforming into a persistent anger that simmers beneath my skin. I can't shake the bitter realization that he'll always keep me at a distance. He can know every single little fucking thing about me, but he'll never let me in.
"How long do we have to pretend?" I ask in a low, tight voice.
A few months? A year? When can I openly show disdain for my new husband?
He raises a demanding eyebrow. "Pretend what?"
"Like we're madly in love. Like this isn't a fake marriage." I refrain from grimacing, keeping my smile in place for the people still watching us. I can already tell my face will be hurting by the end of tonight.
"Until you start believing this is real."
I snort, a bitter sound that echoes my frustration. "So never, then."
How can I ever love a man who doesn't even let me in? The walls around him are impenetrable, and every attempt to break through only seems to reinforce the distance between us.
He pulls his face back to look at me. "If not, this will be a very long marriage, Mama," he says, the calmness in his voice almost mocking the underlying tension that lingers between us.
"No, it won't. I'm sure in ten years, Viktor won't even remember who I am. Or maybe I could get plastic surgery... you know, get a new face." I swallow the lump forming in my throat. I knew what I was getting myself into, but I can't do this. I understand what I can gain from this marriage, but will I spend the rest of my life pretending to be happy when I'm really his miserable prisoner? How many years can I endure this before I go insane?
Sensing that I'm unraveling in front of his guests, he tugs my hand and leads me through a long hallway, throwing a door open and pulling us inside. The room is dimly lit, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere outside. He gently pushes me against the wall, caging me with his large body. The scent of his cologne surrounds us, and the muffled sounds of the ongoing celebration fade into the background.