The bridal gown fitting had just ended when Bella asked Chloe to stay behind.
"Let's talk," she said with a smile too sweet to be real.
Chloe nodded, chest tightening. She followed Bella to the private lounge of the atelier, where the mirrors reflected not just dresses — but every crack in their carefully constructed lies.
Bella crossed her legs elegantly. "You've been quiet lately," she began, voice light. "Is it because you saw something... you weren't supposed to?"
Chloe kept her tone neutral. "I'm just doing my job."
"Hmm. But it's getting harder, isn't it? Staying professional when your heart is getting involved?"
Chloe's fingers curled around her clipboard. "What do you mean?"
Bella smiled — but it didn't reach her eyes. "I know, Chloe."
Chloe stiffened.
"I know you have feelings for Vince."
The words hung heavy in the air.
"You're mistaken—"
"No, I'm not." Bella leaned forward, elbows on her knees. "You think I didn't notice the way you look at him? How your breath changes when he enters the room? Sweetheart, I picked you because of that."
Chloe froze. "What...?"
Bella tilted her head. "You think I just found you by chance? No. I knew your story. An orphan. No scandals. No distractions. Always composed. But most of all..." She smirked. "Someone who had never been in love. The perfect emotional sponge."
Chloe felt her stomach drop. "Why would that matter?"
"Because someone like you wouldn't dare cross a line," Bella replied. "You'd feel too guilty. Too ashamed."
"Then why choose me at all?"
Bella's smile sharpened. "Because I needed someone to keep Vince occupied. Distracted. Someone who could give him the illusion that he's still in control of his life."
Chloe's breath caught. "Still?"
Bella stood and walked slowly toward the window, her back to Chloe. "My family's company is dying. But the Crisostomo business? Solid. Old money. Respectable. Marrying Vince secures everything — but Maverick? He's the one I want beside me."
Chloe's voice cracked. "So this whole wedding... is fake?"
"No. The marriage will be real," Bella said with a soft laugh. "But the love part? Just a formality."
Chloe's voice turned cold. "And Vince has no idea?"
"He doesn't need to. His job is to sign the papers, smile in the photos, and unknowingly save us all." Bella turned, eyes gleaming. "And your job, Chloe, is to make sure he walks down that aisle."
Chloe stared at her. "You're using him."
"We all use people, Chloe," Bella said smoothly. "You use your work to fill the void in your life. I use my charm to build a future. Maverick uses his ambition to outshine his brother. And Vince? He uses fantasy to escape reality."
Chloe's jaw clenched. "He deserves the truth."
Bella stepped forward, close enough that Chloe could smell her expensive perfume. "If you tell him, you destroy everything. Including your career. You think the Crisostomos won't retaliate once they find out you were the cause of the fallout?"
Chloe swallowed hard.
Bella's voice softened. "You're smart, Chloe. Stay in your lane, and you'll come out of this with glowing reviews and higher rates. Cross me..." Her tone hardened. "And you'll be nothing but a cautionary tale."
That night, Chloe sat on the rooftop of her apartment building, the city lights flickering like a thousand secrets.
Denise called, voice laced with worry. "Hey, you okay? You left the atelier fast."
"I talked to Bella."
"About...?"
Chloe hesitated. "She knows. About how I feel for Vince. And worse, she planned everything."
Denise went silent. "Holy crap."
"She's using him. And I'm part of it."
"Do you want out?"
Chloe looked up at the stars. "I want to tell Vince."
"Then tell him."
"But if I do... I destroy his illusion. I hurt him. Maybe I even ruin his family."
"Chlo," Denise said gently, "you didn't choose to be a pawn. But now that you know... you can choose to stop being one."
The next day, Chloe arrived early at the venue inspection. Vince was already there, walking along the garden path, scribbling notes in his phone.
He looked up, and when he saw her, he smiled.
A real one.
"Hey," he said. "You always beat me here."
"I like to see things before anyone else colors them."
Vince chuckled. "Like seeing things in their purest form?"
Chloe nodded, something heavy in her chest. "Exactly."
Vince studied her for a second. "You okay? You look... conflicted."
Chloe hesitated. Her hands trembled slightly.
Say it.
Tell him.
But then she remembered Bella's words.
"He uses fantasy to escape reality."
Would he even believe her?
Or would he resent her for shattering what little happiness he thought he had?
So Chloe smiled instead — the same way she always had.
"Just a long week," she said softly. "That's all."
Vince nodded, offering her his arm. "Let's walk. I could use a breather too."
And just like that, Chloe took it. Not his hand. Not his heart.
Just the moment.
Even if she was dying inside.
End of Chapter 8
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