ildly from the sea of photographers. The red carpet stretched before them, lined with reporters

d, ready for the perfect shot. They had all anticipated the s

instead left them

stepped out first, his black suit tailored to perfection, his c

Ilda f

undeniably striking, but it wasn't just her beauty that

ks. Whispers turned

asn't e

at's not

it be

porters surged forward, microphones extended, eager to

The flashing lights, the overwhelming scrutiny-it was clear from the

eached for her hand, gripping it firm

ueled the media's

r voice sharp and demanding. "We were expecting to se

s lips curved into a smirk, but

air of finality. "She's no longer my concern." His wor

voice

t s

do you

hone closer. "Mr. Blake, who is this woman beside you?"

nd the way her fingers trembled slightly in his grasp. Despite the ten

his lips as he faced

said smoothly, his voice laced with confidence. Then, after

ng to process his words. The weight of the revelati

ystal?" someone sh

aze-something dark. His grip on Ilda's hand tightened slightly,

stal was never in it for love. She wanted the lifestyle, the luxury, the name. And whe

erupted in

emed to be falling into place effortlessly for her, as if it was all meant to be this way. In her mind, she couldn't help

d, leading her past the shouting reporters and

done exactly wha

***

at motionless, her thin frame trembling as

m felt heavier, pressing down on her a

pecial to me... And s

as frustration welled up inside her. Gripping the TV remote tightly, she shut off the screen with a sharp click

oice laced with pain. "He went ahead and embarrassed me publicly." Her fingers

o herself, wondering how much lon

yes glassy, but just as

so

body tensing as she tur

frame. His piercing eyes held an intensity that made her bre

hed between them,