The Dress Fitting & Rafaels Suspicion Youre glowing, Rafael murmurs, his voice low as he carefully adjusts the delicate veil resting on Elenas head.
His fingers brush against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine, but she forces herself to stay still.
She cant show him anything now.
She cant let him see that the calmness in her is only a thin veil, one that might shatter at any moment.
She meets his eyes in the mirror, offering him a soft smile, though her stomach is doing somersaults.
Thank you, she says, her voice sweet, pretending to be the picture of happiness.
But inside, her heart is beating wildly.
The wedding is in just a couple of days, and everything is moving too quickly.
She can barely keep up with the whirlwind, let alone the lies shes feeding him.
Rafael steps back, his gaze still fixed on her reflection.
He seems pleased with the way the dress hugs her body, the intricate lace that trails down to the floor, the delicate fabric that fits perfectly around her waist.
She looks like the perfect bride, the perfect trophy.
But thats the problem.
Elena knows that this isnt lovethis is ownership.
Shes a prize to him.
And she hates it.
But theres something different about today.
Something in the air feels off.
Shes been playing this role so well for so long, but lately, shes been slipping.
Theres a shift in her, a change she cant hide, and Rafael has started to notice.
He steps closer again, his gaze lingering on her face a moment longer than usual.
Elena feels the weight of his stare like a physical presence, pressing down on her.
Youre not nervous anymore, he says, his tone soft but probing.
Youre not the same, Elena.
You seem… different.
Elenas heart skips a beat.
She tries to keep her face neutral, but inside, she feels the panic rise.
Shes been careful, so careful, to keep up the act, but Rafael is no fool.
Hes been watching her, studying her every move, and hes starting to notice the subtle changes in her demeanor.
The fear that used to cloud her eyes is starting to fade, replaced by something elsesomething he cant control.
Im just excited, she says, forcing the words out, her voice light.
She lifts her chin slightly, trying to play it off as confidence.
Everything is falling into place.
Rafaels eyes narrow slightly, and Elena feels a chill run down her spine.
Hes still looking at her, but now theres something colder in his gaze.
Hes not buying her act.
Youre excited, he repeats, his voice flat.
But theres something else, isnt there? His fingers linger at her veil for a moment, and Elena feels a tightening in her chest.
I cant put my finger on it.
But I know youre hiding something.
She forces a smile, a tight one, trying to brush off the tension in the room.
I dont know what you mean, she says softly.
Everythings perfect.
Rafael watches her for another long moment, his eyes searching hers as if hes trying to peel back the layers and see the truth underneath.
Elena holds her breath, hoping hell drop it, hoping hell believe her.
But she can feel his suspicion growing.
He straightens up, his gaze moving to the window, as if deep in thought.
Ive been thinking, he says, voice calm but laced with something darker now.
We need to take extra precautions.
People are unpredictable, and I wont let anyone ruin this.
The way he says it, the way his words hang in the air, Elenas stomach twists.
She knows exactly what hes implying.
Hes not just talking about the wedding.
Hes talking about herabout keeping an eye on her.
Ill have more men on guard, Rafael continues, turning back to face her.
More security.
Ill make sure nothing goes wrong.
Youre not going anywhere.
Elenas heart races, and she does her best to keep her face neutral.
She knows what that meanshes tightening the noose around her even more.
Shes already been trapped, but now hes making it impossible to even breathe.
Im not going anywhere, she says, her voice steady even though she feels anything but calm.
Im right where I need to be.
Rafael seems to relax slightly, but his eyes never leave her face.
Theres something in his gaze, something calculating.
Good, he says, his smile returning, but it doesnt reach his eyes.
Because I dont tolerate betrayal, Elena.
I wont let anyone take whats mine.
Not now, not ever.
The words hang in the air, heavy and ominous.
Elenas chest tightens as she holds his gaze in the mirror, her reflection staring back at her, looking like someone she barely recognizes.
A woman in a beautiful dress, pretending to be happy, but hiding a storm inside.
Rafael steps back, as if satisfied with her response, but his suspicious eyes remain fixed on her.
Elena breathes out slowly, trying to calm the nerves that threaten to overtake her.
She knows she has to be careful.
She cant let him see what shes planning.
She cant let him know shes been meeting with Alexander, planning their escape, plotting her way out of this nightmare.
As if sensing the shift in the room, Rafaels voice drops lower, quieter now, as he watches her closely.
I know youve been sneaking around, Elena.
I know youve been meeting with people behind my back.
And if I find out youve been meeting withhim Elenas heart races in her chest.
The walls are closing in around her, and she feels trappedmore trapped than ever before.
But she doesnt let it show.
She cant.
She has to keep playing the game, pretending everything is fine.
I dont know what youre talking about, she says, her voice even, her face a perfect mask of innocence.
Rafael studies her for a moment, and then, without warning, he turns away, walking toward the door.
Ill be watching, Elena, he says, his voice colder now.
If youre meeting with Alexander, Ill find out.
And you wont like the consequences.
As he leaves the room, Elenas pulse is racing.
Shes never felt more exposed, more vulnerable.
She knows hes watching her now more closely than ever, and the danger of being caught is more real than its ever been.

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She reaches up, touching the veil on her head as if it could protect her, as if it could shield her from the suffocating grip of Rafaels suspicion.
But the truth is, theres no escaping it now.
The clock is ticking, and every second feels like an eternity.
The door clicks shut behind him, and Elena is left standing there, feeling more trapped than ever.
But she wont give up.
She cant.
Not when theres still a chance to escape.
Outside the room, Rafael stands in the hallway, his phone in his hand, his fingers dialing a number with precision.
His voice is low, dangerous as he speaks to one of his men.
Find out if shes meeting Alexander, he orders.
And dont miss a single detail.
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