Lara's POV
"Do I need to tell her, Marco?" Serene's voice broke the silence, smooth yet dripping with venom, each word sharpened by triumph. She took a step forward, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor, her gaze fixed on him.
Marco turned to her slowly. His face was unreadable, but his tone was controlled, deliberate. "No need, Serene," he said. "Lara signed the contract. She knows what she is in my life. I needed to bring her here, to kiss her, to make sure those who were following us would report back to my parents that we are truly in love. I am sure they have already left now that we have arrived safely."
His words struck like a blow to the chest. For a moment, I could not breathe. It felt as though the air had been stolen from the room, leaving only the echo of his voice and the dull throb of my heartbeat.
So that was it.
