Pretend to Be Mine

enough to pay rent. Gilded letters spell o

n table while Maya twirls t

"That's code for free champag

n," I mutter. "I don't be

envelope. "You pretend to belong. That's

ou make it

re with Adrian, head high,

you have nothing to

iliation cake

wed from the Harrington wardrobe team-fabric that sh

seconds before whispering, "You look li

like I'm stepping into someone else's world. Maya circles me like a trainer, whispering, "Po

litter like frozen constellations, waiters float by with trays of champagne, and

ch Adrian's arm as we move through the crowd, marveling at the glint of diamonds, silk g

steady, grounding. "Breathe," h

I feel like I've been dropped into a c

armor. I can feel dozens of eyes tracing me, judging every movemen

Mr. Harrington, care to comm

as he answers smoothl

I force a smile, praying

like the devil on holiday. "Well, wel

e. "Glad my humili

en, lowering his voice, "But seriousl

e awkward tilt of my shoulders? The way my hair won't cooperate? Everyone here pro

inding myself: Fake

ly over mine, enough to ground me without drawing attention. I notice the way his eyes scan the room, al

from trembling. But every whispere

pty, the city spread out below like a promise I can't touch. The night air is

re planning an esca

ment-steps into the moonlight. Adrian mentioned her once i

ng anything," I

son. "Don't worry. You won

huds. "Non

voice soft as silk. "But don't feel bad. You

back inside, leaving

drian's gaze sweeps over me,

mutter, avoid

but he doesn't press. Instead, he o

ake

iling. Cameras flash as Adrian guides me toward

rself well," Adr

y fainted into th

ut you didn't. Tha

mirking. "I'd say you survived, but your

ring the faint warmt

but exhaustion

s unreadable, but there's something in the

I let myself imagine this is real-not a performance, not

when my phone buzzes

lazes across

Mystery Girlfriend: G

name feels like a small explosion in my chest. Gold d

. I turn the phone

better. Whispers like that spread fast-and