Diana stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the simple black dress she had chosen.
It wasn't extravagant.
It wasn't loud.
And that was exactly the point.
A knock came.
"Come in."
The door opened without hesitation.
Victor.
Of course.
His eyes swept over her in one slow glance. Calculating. Precise.
"Change."
Diana frowned. "Excuse me?"
"That dress," he said calmly, stepping inside, "is not suitable."
Her jaw tightened. "It's a dress."
"It's a statement," he corrected. "And it's the wrong one."
Diana crossed her arms. "I'm not trying to impress anyone."
"You're my wife," he said simply. "You already are."
Silence.
She hated how easily he said things like that. Like they were facts. Like she had no say in them.
"I didn't agree to be displayed," she said.
Victor walked closer. Slow. Controlled.
"You agreed to the contract."
"That doesn't mean I lose myself."
His gaze sharpened slightly. "Then don't."
The answer caught her off guard.
A pause.
Then
"But understand this," he continued, his voice dropping just enough to make her chest tighten, "when you stand beside me, you represent me."
Diana held his gaze. "And what if I don't want to?"
Victor stopped right in front of her.
Too close.
"You don't have to want it," he said quietly. "You just have to do it."
An hour later, Diana stepped out of the car.
And instantly regretted everything.
Lights. Cameras. Voices.
The event was massive.
Elegant.
Overwhelming.
"This is insane," she muttered.
Victor stepped out beside her, adjusting his cufflinks like none of this affected him.
"It's normal."
"For you," she shot back.
His eyes flicked to her briefly. "You'll adapt."
There it was again.
That word.
Adapt.
Like she had no other choice.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted the moment they walked in.
People noticed.
They always noticed Victor.
But tonight…
They noticed her too.
Whispers followed them.
Eyes lingered.
Judgment was everywhere.
"Stay close," Victor said quietly.
Diana didn't argue.
Not this time.
"Victor Blackwood."
A woman's voice cut through the crowd.
Elegant. Sharp. Fake.
Diana turned.
And her stomach dropped.
Her sister.
Smiling.
Perfect.
Poisonous.
"Well," she said, her eyes sliding to Diana, "this is unexpected."
Diana felt the anger rise instantly. Hot. Familiar.
"Surprised?" she asked coldly.
Her sister laughed lightly. "I'm impressed. I didn't think you'd move on this fast… or this strategically."
Diana stepped forward slightly. "At least I don't sneak around behind people's backs."
That hit.
For a second, the smile slipped.
Good.
But then
Her sister recovered.
"Oh please," she said, lowering her voice, "we both know you can't keep a man like him."
Diana's fingers curled slightly.
Before she could respond—
Victor spoke.
Calm. Controlled. Dangerous.
"That's enough."
The room seemed to quiet around them.
Her sister blinked. "I was just….."
"You were overstepping," he corrected.
His tone didn't rise.
It didn't need to.
"I don't tolerate disrespect toward my wife."
Silence.
Diana felt it.
The shift.
The power.
And for the first time…
She wasn't the one being looked down on.
Her sister forced a smile. "Of course. My mistake."
Victor didn't respond.
He simply looked at Diana.
"Come."
One word.
And somehow…
She followed.
Later, on the balcony, Diana finally exhaled.
"I didn't need you to do that," she said.
Victor stood beside her, hands in his pockets. "Yes, you did."
"I could've handled it."
"I know."
She frowned slightly. "Then why step in?"
Victor turned his head, his gaze locking onto hers.
"Because she's not allowed to speak to you like that."
Simple.
Direct.
Possessive.
Diana's heart skipped.
"You don't get to decide what people say to me."
"No," he agreed calmly. "But I decide what I tolerate."
Silence settled between them.
But this time…
It wasn't cold.
It was something else.
Something heavier.
"You're not what I expected," Diana admitted.
Victor's lips curved slightly. "Neither are you."
She let out a quiet breath. "This… whatever this is… it's not normal."
"No," he said.
Then he stepped closer.
Again.
Always closer.
"But it works."
Diana looked up at him.
And for a second…
She didn't argue.
From across the room…
Ethan watched everything.
His jaw tight.
His eyes dark.
And filled with something dangerous.
Diana felt it.
That shift again.
Like something bigger was coming.
Something she wouldn't be able to control.