ena

ed, my eyes darting aroun

you're

n written all over her face. She quickly pulled me into a hug. I smiled weakly a

ftly. "You also had a panic attack. Are you really that nerv

spered, forcing a

of the room where Nico and Caldwell st

e is it?"

r guests arrive," Nico replied in a

I sighed

ence. "You should rest. Don't you think? I'll speak

El stare at me in surprise. I

e to let you keep going like

, my voice pleading. "I'm f

e were worried. El looked like she wanted to argue, but thankfully, she stayed quiet. If she we

k with Aleena a

l hesitated before finally leav

tation?" Nico asked coldly

're not the boss of m

" I sai

m to refuse, but surprisingly, he walked out. I was grate

ing, studying me as though he co

with physical touch an

tely stiffened

quietly. "I'm okay

how terrified I was of people touching me or getting too close. Sometimes my b

ispered, break

oing anything you're unco

," I whisp

is arrangement going for six m

him in conf

ause of the circumstances,

t you," I muttered, turnin

's plans. What if he betrayed me and told his father?

o speak your mind,

first,"

r six months," he said in a calm voice.Dodgin

d over me at

agreeing." He g

we're engaged, you'll move to the Bellini estate. I'll make sure

Long Island, but I pushed the thought aside and forc

*

ng endless instructions on how I should look. I was completely clueless w

Thankfully, Caldwell wasn't standing guard in the room under Fa

ensive gowns and tuxedos. Nico stood waiting for me in a black tuxedo, his eyes f

e asked, his ton

ly, the media surrounded us, cameras flashing endlessly to capture every glimpse of us. My father stood

all to the engagement pa

lause as my hand tighten

ng directly on us. Nico's father handed him the engagement

say a few words to your l

so long for this moment," Nico said smoothly. "And I'm g

good at acting, making every word sound natural and sin

rowd's reaction, eve

. I was certain they had never seen him look at anyone like that befor

rds," the emcee said

smile ont

inally be yours,

oked at me, and whispers inst

re in

cu

or the cameras, even though

mth, and I smiled back as cameras captured the moment. The flashing lights only

aced it on N

ke confidence. I had already embarrassed myself by fainting. I didn't

om as flowers showered over us

orners of my past memories and echoes I tried desperately to ignore. Still, I forced a smile,

retending was alr

o, I nee

at me, and

n?" Nico asked. "You never called me that d

odd

whispered. "This pl

ain, making it difficult to understand him. Talking to him wasn'

ceremony room, the air felt a little less suff

n't wander out

nd found Caldwell standing there in a black suit, his blue eye

alm down. I stru

owly," he s

faster, and sweat rolled down my forehead. My palms

me forward. My body pres

rtbeat reached my ear, steady and soothing, like

w breath,"

I d

y hands wrapped around him, though I noticed his body was sti

feeling?" he

." I said. "

s still held me close. I lo

member me at

"Did we m

me with an expression

lace." Nico's crisp voice cut

t move away from me, so I did. The moment I pulled back, he

d Caldw

toward the ballroom. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Caldwell watching me. For