THE RELUCTANT FIANCEE HOAX

If Olivia had thought navigating a fake engagement in private was difficult, doing it in public was proving to be a whole new level of exhausting.

Ethan, of course, was handling it with effortless charm.

She, on the other hand, was hyper aware of every touch, every look, every moment where they had to sell their love story to the world.

And tonight? Tonight was the ultimate test.

Because Ethan's mother, Charlotte Montgomery, had invited them to a high-profile charity gala—an event brimming with the city's elite, journalists, and just about everyone who had a vested interest in Ethan's personal life.

Including Natalie.

Olivia had a bad feeling about this.

---

Dressed for the Role

"You're nervous."

Ethan's voice pulled her from her thoughts as she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the delicate strap of her midnight-blue gown.

"I'm not nervous," she lied.

Ethan smirked as he straightened his cufflinks. "You are. You do this thing with your hands when you're overthinking."

She frowned. "I do not."

"You do."

She turned to glare at him. "Fine. Maybe I'm slightly aware that tonight is important. Your mother is already suspicious, and Natalie will be there, probably waiting for us to slip up. Excuse me for wanting to prepare."

Ethan stepped closer, adjusting the necklace at the base of her throat with a touch so light it sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.

"Then stop overthinking," he murmured. "Just follow my lead."

She huffed. "That's easy for you to say. You're annoyingly good at this."

Ethan's smirk softened into something unreadable. "Maybe it's because I'm not faking all of it."

Her breath caught.

But before she could respond, he was already offering his arm.

"Ready, fiancée?"

She exhaled, pushed down the flutter in her chest, and took his arm. "Let's get this over with."

---

The Gala: Lights, Cameras, and Too Many Questions

The moment they stepped into the grand ballroom, Olivia felt the weight of a hundred eyes on them.

Cameras flashed. Voices murmured. Glasses clinked.

Ethan, ever the charmer, was in his element—flashing smiles, shaking hands, seamlessly introducing her as if they had been together for years.

Olivia did her best to keep up, smiling when necessary, laughing at just the right moments.

But then, of course, Natalie appeared.

She was draped in an emerald-green gown, the color making her dark eyes seem even sharper. And the moment she saw them, her lips curled in a knowing smile.

"Well, well," she purred, stepping closer. "You two look… comfortable."

Ethan's grip on Olivia's waist tightened ever so slightly. "We are comfortable."

Natalie's gaze flickered between them, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Oh, I'm sure. You must be so in love."

Olivia smiled sweetly, deciding to take the offensive.

She turned to Ethan and, before she could second-guess herself, ran her fingers lightly along his jaw.

"Ethan, darling," she murmured, her voice just loud enough for Natalie to hear. "Could you grab me a glass of champagne?"

Ethan blinked but recovered quickly, his lips twitching in amusement. "Of course, love."

The moment he walked away, Natalie tilted her head. "That was quite the performance."

Olivia just sipped her drink. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Natalie smirked. "Oh, I think you do."

And with that, she turned and sauntered away, leaving Olivia with the sinking feeling that this battle was far from over.

---

The Kiss That Changed Everything

As the night wore on, Olivia found herself pulled into one conversation after another, each one centered around their engagement.

And then, just when she thought she might get a break, a reporter appeared.

"Ethan! Olivia! A quick photo?"

They turned just as a camera flashed.

Then came the question Olivia knew was coming.

"You two seem madly in love. What's been the most romantic moment of your engagement so far?"

She froze.

Ethan, however, didn't miss a beat.

He turned to her, his blue eyes filled with something unreadable. "Every moment with Olivia is romantic."

Olivia barely had time to react before Ethan cupped her cheek—

And kissed her.

It wasn't a quick, polite peck.

It was slow. Deliberate. Dizzying.

And Olivia… melted.

For a moment, she forgot they were pretending.

For a moment, she forgot everything.

Then the cameras flashed again, and reality slammed back into her.

Ethan pulled away, his gaze locked on hers, something dangerous flickering in his eyes.

"See?" he murmured. "Completely in love."

The reporter beamed. "You two are perfect together."

Olivia forced a smile, but her heart was pounding.

Because she had no idea where the act ended…

And where something real had just begun.