"Elara," Killian's voice rang out from the other side, Impatient and angry as usual. "I hope you're not planning to keep me waiting."
The sharp knock on the bedroom door startled Elara, although she didn't show it.She had been staring at her reflection for long on the mirror,just the thought on how the night will be suffocate her.
She let out a slow breath, checking the sleek fabric of her dress for the last time before stepping toward the door. The moment she opened it, she was met with his piercing gaze, scanning her as if she were another business transaction he needed to evaluate.
"Satisfactory," he muttered before turning on his heel. "Let's go."
No compliment, no approval, not that she expected one. With her head held high, she followed him down the grand staircase and toward the waiting car.
The ride was silent save for the hum of the engine. The world outside was nothing but a blur of city lights and shadows. Elara could feel Killian's presence beside her—unshakable, unaffected. He hadn't even glanced at her since they got in the car.
"It's going to be bad, isn't it?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.
Killian let out a deep breath,shrugging his shoulder nonchalantly, "That depends on you."
She turned her gaze toward him. "And if I say the wrong thing? If I make one wrong move?"
His lips twitched in amusement, but there was no humor in his voice. "Then they'll eat you alive."
The words settled like ice in her veins, but she refused to let him see any hesitation. Instead, she turned her gaze back to the window, watching as they pulled up to the grand hotel where the event was being held.
The moment she stepped out of the car, whispers erupted like The media was all over them, trying to capture the moment.
"That's her? The one who tricked him into marriage?"
"I still can't believe Killian agreed to this. He must be desperate for some tax benefits."
"She's pathetic. Just look at her, pretending she belongs here."
Elara ignored them, stepping forward with all the grace she could muster. Killian barely acknowledged the murmurs, his posture relaxed,as if he owns the world.He walked ahead, not bothering to match her pace.
She could feel their eyes burning into her, assessing, dissecting, judging. Every step she took felt heavier, like she was dragging the weight of their expectations with her.
"Killian!" A man in a finely tailored suit stepped forward, grinning. "You never fail to make an entrance. And I see you've brought your... lovely wife."
The hesitation in his words was like a slap. Elara met his gaze, offering a practiced smile. "Nice to meet you."
The man barely nodded before turning his attention back to Killian. "Quite the news you stirred up. The entire city is talking about your—what should I call it—unconventional choice?"
Killian smirked. "Let them talk."
Elara's stomach tightened. Let them talk? Easy for him to say when he wasn't the one being torn apart.
"Elara," a sickeningly sweet voice called from behind her.
She turned to see Veronica Sterling, a well-known socialite, approaching with a small entourage of women. Their eyes gleamed with cruel amusement.
"I must say," Veronica continued, "it's truly impressive how you've managed to... adjust."
"Adjust?" Elara asked in confusion, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, you know," Veronica said, feigning innocence. "Coming from nothing, suddenly being thrust into all this luxury. It must be overwhelming,I feel for you."
Elara smiled tightly. "Oh, I manage."
One of Veronica's companions, a tall brunette, chuckled. "For now. But you do know this world isn't for everyone, right?"
Elara tilted her head. "You mean people like you?"
The woman blinked, caught off guard, while Veronica's smirk wavered for a second.
Killian, standing just a few feet away, hadn't intervened. Of course he hadn't. Why would he? This was entertainment to him. A test, even.
"Ladies," another voice cut in smoothly. Celeste.
Elara tensed as Killian's sister sauntered up beside her, draping an arm around her shoulder as if they were the best of friends.
"Oh, no," Celeste said, her voice dripping with false warmth. "We wouldn't want to scare dear Elara away on her first major event, would we?"
Veronica chuckled. "Oh, of course not. We were just... welcoming her."
Elara forced herself to remain still as Celeste leaned in, her breath warm against her ear. "Enjoying yourself yet, sister-in-law?"
Elara swallowed down the bitterness rising in her throat. "It's been enlightening."
Celeste laughed. "Oh, it'll only get better from here."
The rest of the night passed in a blur of forced smiles, whispered insults masked as pleasantries, and Killian's unshaken indifference. Every laugh at her expense, every lingering glance filled with disdain, burned into her memory.
By the time they returned home, she was already so exhausted. She barely made it past the living room before Killian's voice stopped her.
"You handled yourself well," he remarked.
She turned slowly. "Was that a compliment?"
He smirked. "Don't get used to it."
She stared at him, searching for something—anything—behind his mask of indifference. "Why did you marry me, Killian?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze unreadable. "Does it matter?"
"It should," she whispered.
He studied her for a long moment before brushing past her, heading upstairs without another word.
Elara remained frozen in place, her fingers curling into fists. The world had made it clear—she was an outsider, an imposter in their perfectly organized society.
And Killian? He wasn't her ally. He never would be.
But if they expected her to break, to crumble under their scrutiny, they were in for a surprise.
Because Elara Carter didn't just endure.
She survived.
She turned toward the stairs, but Killian's voice stopped her cold.
"You should get some rest," he said casually, almost too casually. "Tomorrow, we start playing by my rules."
Elara's breath hitched. She turned back to face him.
"And if I refuse?"
Killian smirked, stepping closer, his voice a low whisper against the heavy silence.
"Then I make sure you don't have a choice."