The music was slow.
Too slow.
Aria stood where they left her.
Watching.
She told herself not to.
Told herself to look away.
To not care.
But she couldn't.
Her eyes stayed locked on them.
On Lucien…
And Vivian.
They moved perfectly together.
Effortless.
In sync.
Like they had done this before.
Many times.
Vivian's hand rested comfortably on his shoulder.
His hand on her waist.
Natural.
Familiar.
It made something twist painfully inside Aria's chest.
"They look good together."
The voice came from beside her.
Aria stiffened slightly but didn't turn.
"I didn't ask for your opinion," she replied calmly.
A soft chuckle followed.
"Still… it's hard not to notice," the man continued. "They were almost married, after all."
Aria's jaw tightened.
"I know," she said.
"Do you?" he asked. "Because from where I'm standing… you don't look like someone who's okay with it."
That made her turn.
The same man from before.
Adrian.
His smirk was subtle.
Annoying.
"I'm perfectly fine," she said.
He raised a brow.
"Right," he said slowly. "That's why you haven't looked away once."
Her chest tightened.
"Mind your business."
"I am," he replied smoothly. "You're part of it now."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"What do you want?"
Adrian leaned a little closer.
"Just a little advice," he said. "Men like Lucien don't change."
Her heart skipped.
"They don't fall in love," he continued. "They choose what benefits them."
Aria swallowed.
"And right now?" he added, glancing toward the dance floor, "that looks very familiar to him."
Her chest tightened again.
"Stop talking," she said sharply.
Adrian smirked.
"Just don't get too attached," he said before stepping away. "You might not like how it ends."
Aria stood there.
Frozen.
Because his words…
They got to her.
She looked back at the dance floor.
At them.
And suddenly—
It felt like she didn't belong there at all.
Like she was the outsider.
Watching something that should have been hers—
But never really was.
Her chest tightened painfully.
"I need air…"
Without thinking, she turned and walked away.
Fast.
Too fast.
She didn't stop until she reached the balcony.
The cool night air hit her face, but it didn't help.
Nothing did.
"Why do I care so much?" she whispered to herself.
This wasn't real.
None of this was real.
So why did it feel like her chest was breaking?
"Running again?"
Her breath caught.
Of course.
She turned slowly.
Lucien.
Standing there.
Watching her.
Alone.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Where's Vivian?"
His gaze didn't shift.
"She's not my concern."
Her heart skipped.
"But you were just—"
"I saw you leave."
The words were simple.
But they hit differently.
Her chest tightened.
"That doesn't mean anything," she said quickly.
Silence.
Then—
Lucien stepped closer.
Slow.
Intentional.
"Then why did you?" he asked.
Her breath hitched.
"I just needed air."
"Liar."
Her heart jumped.
"I'm not—"
"You were watching us," he cut in. "The entire time."
She froze.
Of course he noticed.
"I wasn't—"
"Stop."
His voice dropped.
Low.
Firm.
Her words died in her throat.
Lucien stepped even closer now.
Too close.
"Say it," he said.
Her brows furrowed.
"Say what?"
"That it bothered you."
Her heart pounded wildly.
"It didn't."
A lie.
And they both knew it.
His eyes darkened slightly.
"You're a terrible liar."
Her chest rose sharply.
"And you're arrogant," she shot back.
Silence.
Then—
He moved.
Fast.
Closing the distance completely.
His hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer before she could react.
Her breath hitched.
"Lucien—"
"Mine."
The word was low.
Possessive.
Her heart stopped.
"What—"
"Whether you like it or not," he continued, his gaze locked onto hers,
"you're mine."
Her chest tightened.
"This is just a contract—"
"Then why were you jealous?"
The question hit directly.
She froze.
"I wasn't—"
"Say it again."
Her breath caught.
Because this felt familiar.
Too familiar.
But this time—
The tension was stronger.
Heavier.
More dangerous.
"I wasn't jealous," she whispered.
Lucien leaned closer.
"Then look me in the eyes and say it."
Her heart pounded.
She tried.
"I—"
But the words didn't come out.
Because she couldn't lie this time.
His lips were too close.
His presence too overwhelming.
And her heart—
Her heart was giving her away.
Lucien's gaze softened just slightly.
"Exactly," he murmured.
And then—
He kissed her again.
This time…
There was nothing controlled about it.
It was deeper.
Stronger.
More intense.
Like everything they had been holding back—
Finally broke loose.
Aria's fingers gripped his shirt instinctively.
Her heart racing wildly.
This was wrong.
So wrong.
But she didn't stop him.
Didn't want to.
And that scared her more than anything.
When he finally pulled back—
Her breathing was uneven.
Her thoughts completely gone.
"This shouldn't be happening…" she whispered.
Lucien's forehead rested lightly against hers.
"And yet it is."
Her chest tightened.
Because this time…
She didn't have the strength to argue.