Chapter 1 The Perfect Facade

• Lexi Martin stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the delicate straps of her designer gown. Her long, curly blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her bright blue eyes held a spark of boredom.
• "Lexi, darling, you look stunning," her mother cooed, stepping into the room with a glass of champagne. "Your father and I are so proud of you."
• Lexi forced a smile. She felt like a porcelain doll on display—perfect, polished, and admired by all. She had always been the ideal daughter: obedient, polite, and beautiful. But beneath the surface, she felt suffocated by expectations she never asked for.
• Tonight was the annual Martin Charity Gala, and as usual, her parents had everything planned—including her date. Harrison Green, her boyfriend of a year, was her father’s idea of the perfect match.
• Harrison was a wealthy and influential businessman from Russia. To the world, he was a brilliant entrepreneur, always knowing where to invest and how to make a deal. Lexi's father, in particular, admired Harrison's connections, especially in Russia, where he hoped to expand his own business empire.
• What her family didn’t know—or rather, chose to ignore—was that Harrison's business dealings weren’t entirely legal. He was ruthless and cunning, always willing to cut corners and bend the rules to get ahead. It wasn’t enough to land him behind bars, but shady enough that anyone with common sense would think twice before trusting him.
• Lexi’s father, however, wasn’t concerned about how Harrison made his money. As long as the connections and resources remained available, he was determined to see Lexi marry him. No matter what.
• As Lexi walked down the grand staircase, Harrison stood waiting for her at the bottom, looking sharp in his tailored tuxedo. He smirked as he took in her appearance.
• "You look beautiful, Lexi," he said, his voice filled with entitlement. "I'm the luckiest man in the room."
• Lexi smiled, murmuring a quiet "thank you," but her mind wandered back to their conversation earlier that day.
• Harrison had been distant—more than usual. She had noticed the shift in his behavior for weeks now, and it was only getting worse.
• "Harrison, can we talk?" she asked as they stepped outside to the garden.
• "What is it, baby?" His eyes scanned the room, as if he were barely listening.
• Lexi hesitated. She needed to word this carefully. "It just feels like you're not really with me when we're together."
• Harrison let out a small chuckle and pulled her in by the waist. "I'm sorry, Lexi. Work has been stressful. You know how it is."
• Lexi nodded, but she didn’t believe him. She had seen how he looked at other women. The way he flirted with them without a care. A few weeks ago, she had even caught him texting another girl. When she confronted him, he denied everything, flipping the blame on her.
• Her gut told her the truth.
• And now, as they stood in the dimly lit garden, Harrison's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen for barely a second before slipping it back into his pocket.
• Lexi caught the flicker of guilt in his eyes.
• "Who is it?" she asked casually.
• "No one, baby," he replied smoothly. "Just a business associate."
• Lexi raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. What was the point? She already knew what she’d find if she looked.
• As the night dragged on, Lexi’s thoughts drifted to her art studio—the only place where she felt free.
• She had been taking painting classes for months, and every time she picked up a brush, she felt alive. If she had a choice, she’d pursue art full-time. But her parents would never allow it. They expected her to marry Harrison, take her place in high society, and live the perfect life.
• A life that wasn’t hers.
• By the end of the night, Harrison walked her back to her parents’ mansion, his arm lazily draped around her waist.
• "I'll call you tomorrow, baby," he said, kissing her cheek. "We’ll talk about wedding plans."
• Lexi’s stomach turned.
• She smiled and nodded, keeping up the facade—at least for now.