Chapter Five: The Skeptical Ex

Elara had barely recovered from the ordeal of meeting Damon’s family when another curveball came her way. She was in Damon’s penthouse, perched at the sleek marble kitchen island, sipping coffee and scrolling through headlines, when the name popped up.

Cassidy Vale.

The headline read: Cassidy Vale Steps Out in Style After Rumored Ashford Breakup—But Is She Really Over Him?

Elara stared at the screen, frowning.

A photo of a statuesque blonde in a silk jumpsuit filled the page. Legs for days. Killer cheekbones. A model-turned-fashion consultant with over two million followers and a painfully perfect smile.

Another headline read: Insiders Say Cassidy’s Not Buying Damon Ashford’s New Romance.

“Oh, wonderful,” Elara muttered, turning the tablet toward Damon, who’d just entered the room, looking too effortless in a white shirt rolled at the sleeves and dress pants that hugged him in all the right places.

He took one glance at the screen and sighed. “That didn’t take long.”

“She’s your ex?”

“Unfortunately.”

“She’s… terrifyingly beautiful.”

“She’s also media-savvy and emotionally vindictive. A dangerous combo.”

Elara blinked. “And you dated her?”

“Two years.”

“Why?”

“Because at the time, I thought I wanted someone just like me. Rich. Sharp. Unattached.” He paused. “Turns out I wanted someone who wouldn’t try to control my every move.”

Elara snorted. “So you hired me instead.”

He gave her a sidelong glance. “You’re not controlling. You’re unpredictable. There’s a difference.”

“Charming.”

But the tension in her chest didn’t go away. Even if their relationship was fake, the idea of a model-ex-girlfriend sniffing around made her stomach twist.

As if on cue, Lila entered the room.

“There’s a new development,” she said. “Cassidy has RSVP’d to the Harper & Rowe gala tonight. Same table. Right across from yours.”

Damon’s jaw tightened. “Of course she has.”

Elara blinked. “Wait—you mean we’re sitting across from her?”

Lila nodded. “She’s making a statement. Publicly. Which means you’ll need to be flawless tonight.”

“No pressure,” Elara mumbled.

“Hair appointment in two hours. Dress fitting after that. Damon’s stylist is bringing two options.” Lila gave her a tight smile. “And Elara? Prepare to be judged like your life depends on it.”

---

That evening, the gala was a dazzling blur of crystal chandeliers, champagne towers, and glittering gowns. The Harper & Rowe Foundation spared no expense when it came to luxury.

Elara stepped into the grand ballroom beside Damon, her gold satin dress clinging to her curves like liquid. Her hair was swept into a soft updo, neck bare except for the diamond necklace Damon had clasped on her an hour before with a murmur, “You’ll need armor.”

But she didn’t feel like a warrior.

She felt like a decoy.

As they made their way through the sea of socialites and donors, Elara could feel eyes on her. Whispers. Appraisal.

And then—

“Damon.”

A honeyed voice floated across the room like a weapon.

Cassidy Vale stood near their table, a vision in scarlet silk, her expression a perfect blend of surprise and amusement. Her eyes locked onto Elara, then slid to Damon like they owned him.

“Cassidy,” Damon said evenly. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I couldn’t resist,” she said, lips curling. “Especially after I heard you brought… company.”

Her gaze raked over Elara with expert precision. She didn’t say anything rude—she didn’t have to. Every inch of her posture screamed temporarily.

Elara smiled sweetly. “Hi. Elara. Damon’s girlfriend.”

Cassidy’s brow arched. “Girlfriend? Oh. That’s new.”

“It’s been a few months,” Elara replied, leaning slightly closer to Damon. “We kept it quiet. Too special to share right away.”

Cassidy’s smile didn’t falter, but Elara could see the crack beneath it.

“Well,” Cassidy said, voice cool. “That’s... surprising.”

“Isn’t it?” Damon replied. “But then again, I’ve always liked surprises.”

Cassidy tilted her head. “Do surprises come with expiration dates?”

Elara’s heart gave a sharp thud.

Damon stepped in. “Cassidy, this isn’t the time or the place.”

“Of course not,” she said smoothly. “But it’s lovely to meet you, Elara. I look forward to... getting to know you better.”

She walked off toward her table with the sway of someone who knew she’d left a mark.

Elara let out a breath. “She hates me.”

“She doesn’t even know you.”

“Doesn’t matter. She smells the lie.”

“She smells competition,” Damon corrected. “Which is worse, in her world.”

---

Dinner was a quiet war.

Cassidy, seated directly across from them, laughed too loudly at the older man beside her, touched his arm too often, and made a point of staring at Damon whenever she sipped her wine.

Elara played her part flawlessly—smiling, leaning into Damon when appropriate, laughing softly at his occasional jokes. But she could feel Cassidy’s scrutiny like lasers.

At one point, Cassidy raised her glass and said loudly, “So, Elara, how did you and Damon meet?”

Elara smiled. “Art gallery. Downtown. We both liked the same piece and ended up arguing over it.”

Cassidy blinked. “How… quaint.”

“I won, of course,” Elara added sweetly.

Damon smirked beside her. “That’s still up for debate.”

Cassidy’s eyes narrowed just enough to show the crack beneath her cool exterior.

Later, after dinner, Damon and Elara slipped onto the balcony for air. The night was cool, stars scattered above the city skyline.

“You’re doing better than I expected,” he said, handing her a fresh glass of champagne.

“I’m good under pressure.”

“You’re better than good.”

She sipped slowly. “Do you still love her?”

Damon blinked. “What?”

“Cassidy. She clearly still thinks she owns part of you.”

He looked out at the city. “I don’t love her. Not anymore. I think I loved the idea of her. That’s dangerous.”

“And what do you feel about me?” she asked, quietly.

Damon turned, his eyes sharp. “Why are you asking that?”

“Because you’re not faking this as well as you think.”

Silence stretched between them. Tense. Charged.

He took a step closer. “Are you?”

Elara looked up, heart hammering. “I don’t know.”

That truth scared her more than anything.

His hand brushed her hair from her face, lingered on her jaw. And just when she thought he might kiss her—

The balcony door swung open.

“Oops. Interrupting?”

Cassidy’s voice, syrupy and smug.

Elara stepped back, pulse racing. Damon’s jaw tightened.

“Just needed some air,” Elara said smoothly.

Cassidy glanced between them. “Of course. Just be careful, Elara. Damon doesn’t always play fair.”

And with that, she turned and vanished into the crowd.

Elara stood in silence, feeling the fake lines of their relationship blur into something far more dangerous.

Because the biggest lie wasn’t just to the public anymore.

It was to themselves.