The Public Betrayal I love you, Rafael, Elena says into the microphone, her voice clear but shaking.
She wishes the words didnt taste so bitter on her tongue, but she knows theres no turning back now.
The eyes of Chicagos elite are on hersilent, waiting, judging.
Shes supposed to be the bride-to-be, the shining example of devotion.
And in that moment, she has to pretend.
She has to be the perfect fiancée, the perfect future wife.
Behind her, she hears the soft hum of the crowd, the murmur of voices, and she feels the weight of their gazes pressing down on her.
Theres a strange feeling in her chest, like a dull ache that she cant shake.
She feels like shes suffocating, drowning in her own lie.
The words shes spoken hang in the air like a lie too big to take back.
I love you, she repeats in her head.
But the truth is, she doesnt love Rafael.
Not now, not ever.
This is the price she has to pay.
This is the only way to protect Alexander, to stop Rafael from destroying everything.
But even as she stands there, forcing a smile, her eyes drift toward the back of the room.
And there, standing in the shadows by the door, is Alexander.
His face is unreadable, his posture stiff, but she can see the hurt in his eyes.
She can see it because it mirrors what she feels inside.
Rafaels hand is on her back, steady and possessive, and he gives her a small, approving smile, like hes proud of her.
His fingers brush her skin lightly, and it makes her stomach turn.
But she forces herself to focus, to get through the speech.
I love you, Rafael, she repeats once more, the words slipping out like a confession.
She feels like shes betraying everything she believes in, but theres nothing she can do.
Not now.
Not here.
The applause begins, polite but distant, and Elenas eyes dont leave Alexander.
Hes watching her, his expression frozen, but his eyeshis eyes are full of pain.
Elenas breath catches in her throat as she watches him turn away, his broad shoulders tense as he strides toward the exit.
Her heart slams against her ribs.
She wants to run after him, to explain, to scream the truth.
She doesnt love Rafael.
She cant.
But she knows that if she does, everything shes worked for will fall apart.
The only chance she has to protect Alexander is to make Rafael think shes on his side.
She has to keep up the act, even if it destroys her inside.
The sound of the microphone feedback rips through the room, and Elenas thoughts are pulled back to the present.
Rafael leans in close, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispers, See? They all believe you.
Youre mine now, Elena.
Completely.
She shudders under his touch but nods, her eyes still locked on the door where Alexander has just disappeared.
The weight of her decision presses on her chest like a stone, but she knows she cant go back now.
Shes made her choice.
As the applause dies down, Elena steps off the stage, her legs feeling like jelly.
She can barely hear the chatter around her, the congratulatory words of the people who have no idea whats really happening.
All she can hear is the sound of her own heartbeat, pounding in her ears.
Her mind is still on Alexander.
She wonders if hes gone for good, if shell ever get the chance to explain.
Rafael follows her, his footsteps loud and confident as he walks up beside her.
His hand brushes against her lower back again, and she flinches slightly, but he doesnt notice.
Or maybe he does.
Elena, he says softly, but theres a certain possessiveness in his tone.
You did well tonight.
They all believe us.
They see us as the perfect couple.
She nods without looking at him, trying to push back the wave of nausea that rises in her throat.
She wishes she could feel anything but this emptiness.
She wishes she could feel something for him.
But all she can feel is guiltguilt for the lie shes just told, guilt for the betrayal she knows Alexander must feel.
You did well too, she says, her voice distant, her eyes still scanning the room.
She wants to disappear.
She wants to be anywhere but here.
Everyone is happy.
Thats all that matters.
Rafael stops walking and turns to face her, his expression softening just a little.
Youre still upset about him, arent you? he asks, his tone gentle but knowing.
I saw the way you looked at him when you spoke.
But you did the right thing.
Youre with me now.
Youve made your choice.
Her breath catches in her throat.
Hes right.
She did make her choice.
She made the choice to protect Alexander, even if it meant losing herself in the process.
She hates herself for it, but she knows theres no other way.
Not anymore.
I did what I had to do, Elena whispers, her voice breaking as she forces herself to look at him.
I just hope you understand that.
Rafael steps closer, his presence overwhelming.
He places a hand under her chin, lifting her face to look at him.
His touch is possessive, but theres a strange tenderness there too.
I do understand, Elena, he says softly.
And now, I know youre mine.
Completely.

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The words hit her like a punch, and she feels the bile rise in her throat.
But she doesnt say anything.
She cant.
Shes trapped in this web of lies and deceit.
Theres no escape, no way out.
Now, Rafael continues, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
You trust me, dont you? Elenas heart races as she looks at him, but her eyes are cold, her face a mask.
She cant show him how much shes dying inside.
She cant let him see how broken she is.
She has to play along.
She has to make him believe shes truly his.
Now you trust me? Rafael repeats, stepping even closer, his lips just inches from hers.
Elena doesnt say anything.
She just nods, her eyes locked onto his, even though every part of her wants to scream.
Rafael smiles then, a slow, satisfied grin, and leans in to kiss her.
Its hard, possessive, and it feels like hes claiming her in front of everyone, marking her as his.
Elena doesnt kiss him back.
She doesnt move.
She just stands there, frozen, wishing that everything could be different.
But she knows it cant be.
Shes made her choice.
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