Chapter 4 The Reveal 1.

VALERIE

I didn’t know how I survived everything that followed the church service and the reception. Turned out I was a better actor than I thought. I signed the marriage certificate with a straight face, though my hand trembled slightly.

The inside of my bottom lip was sore from repeatedly biting it. Sweat pooled at the small of my back every time we greeted a guest, and it didn’t help that Lucas’s hand kept finding my waist. It might have been comforting or sweet if I were Vanessa—but I wasn’t. When we greeted his parents and sister, I realized just how good I’d become at pretending. I held their gazes and smiled like I’d been practicing for this all my life. They didn’t notice a thing, though I could swear his sister narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously. Still, that tiny victory gave me enough confidence to face the rest of the high-profile guests and get through the rest of the wedding.

All I wanted to do was go home, lie on my bed, and forget the most exhausting day of my life. But that wasn’t going to happen.

When it was time to leave, a limousine arrived to take us. My parents made sure to give me a last warning before we left.

In the car, Lucas sat so close to me, he took my hand in his as he stared at my ring. “So, you're now my wife. Mrs. Vanessa Castillo.”

I became still for a few seconds but recovered quickly. “Uh huh.” I hummed in reply.

He began to draw circles on the back of my palm. He leaned in and it took all in me not to lean away from him. Then he freaking sniffed me. “You smell different.”

Shit.

“Really?” I asked, wracking my brain for a believable answer.

“Yeah. I noticed it at the altar.” He said. “New perfume?”

I nodded quickly. “Yeah. Yeah, new perfume. A gift. From my mom.”

“I like it.” He intertwined our fingers, and brushed his lips on the back of my palm. “You’re a little quiet. It was quite a tough day, wasn't it?”

“Yeah.”

“Imagine how crazy it would have been if it wasn't a private wedding.”

I managed a chuckle.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he pulled me closer to him, until my head rested on his shoulder. “Here. Rest on your husband's shoulder till we get home.”

I could hear the smile in his voice. He was over the moon to be married to “Vanessa.” He must really love her.

The rest of the ride home was quiet as I tried to get some rest but that was almost impossible. For some unknown reason, I kept thinking about the kiss.

Why did it feel good?

Why did I like it?

How did he feel about it?

Did he like it too?

These questions occupied my mind until we drove into the underground parking lot of one of the most expensive high-rise buildings in California, owned by the Castillos. Lucas thanked the driver and led me out of the car, guiding me into the private elevator that led straight to the penthouse. The doors opened to reveal a large, spacious and luxurious living room. Though I was from a rich family myself, Lucas' family wealth was on another level. I tried not to gape as my gaze swept around the place but I failed.

Floor-to-ceiling windows that gave a great view of the city, white couches arranged around a coffee table, a chandelier suspended from the ceiling, a large TV mounted on the wall, stairs that led to the second floor. Red rose petals trailed across the floor, and candles lit the place up, giving a romantic ambiance.

Lucas chuckled in amusement as he watched my reaction. “Why do you look so surprised? You've been here countless times before.”

I cleared my throat, trying to act totally natural. “It’s just so exquisite that it surprises me every time.”

He gently led me up the stairs to ‘our’ bedroom, talking about how I must be tired and famished. He asked me to wash up while he prepared something for us to eat. Then he gave me a quick peck on my lips before heading back downstairs.

I heaved a sigh of relief when I was alone.

The bedroom was large and cozy. There was a queen sized bed, vanity, TV and every other essential. I headed into the bathroom, noticing a few of Vanessa’s things here and there but I ignored them. After a quick shower, I changed into the ridiculous nightwear my mom had packed. She’d bought it for Vanessa but since I was pretending to be her, she gave it to me.

It was mostly sheer lace, deep red in color, so unlike my usual Hello Kitty pajamas. After staring at my reflection in the mirror for a moment, I wore the robe over it and headed downstairs.

Lucas was setting the table when I joined him. He’d ditched his tux and tie, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up, a few buttons unbuttoned. A hot guy cooking dinner in the kitchen—it was a sight to behold. I watched him for a minute before he noticed me. His gray eyes softened and a smile slowly spread across his face.

“You look ravishing,” he said, walking toward me.

He pulled me into his arms and nuzzled my neck. “And you smell delightful.”

As someone who had never dated and who rarely got compliments, hearing him say those words made my heart race. Heat rose to my cheeks.

“T-thank you,” I stammered.

He took my hand and led me to the table, pulling out my chair before sitting across from me. There were candles, roses, wine glasses, a bottle of red wine, and two plates of pasta. He had made tomato pasta and it looked delicious. He opened the wine bottle and poured it into our glasses. I recognized it, it was Vanessa's favorite but I hated red wine; it gives me headaches. But I couldn't tell him that so I just smiled.

When I thought we were about to start eating, Lucas cleared his throat and reached across the table, his hand silently asking for mine. I placed my hand in his, my eyes meeting his.

“Ever since I realized that I'm in love with you, I've waited for this day, for this moment. I'm the luckiest man on earth to be able to call you my wife, and it's such an honor to have you bear my last name.” He squeezed my hand gently.

“I wouldn't trade this for anything else in the universe. Thank you for choosing to go on this journey with me, babe. I love you. I love you so much, Vanessa Castillo.”

My eyes glistened with tears as I stared at him. I didn't know why I was feeling this way. He wasn't talking about me. He wasn't in love with me. It was Vanessa. He was talking about Vanessa but it pulled at my heartstrings. He was utterly in love with her—a finished man.

Would I ever be loved like this?

Would I ever experience what it would feel like to be loved like this?

Any girl would want to be loved like this. Yet Vanessa chose to abandon him. Him finding out would shatter him. He doesn't deserve to go through that.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when he pulled my hand towards his lips and kissed it. “This is just the beginning of the rest of our lives.”

He raised his glass. “Here's to forever.”

I raised my glass and clicked it with his. “Cheers to forever.”

Then we began to eat. The pasta was delicious, the mood was great and it was the most romantic dinner in my entire life.

---

After dinner, we settled on the couch watching a rom-com. Then everything happened so fast. One moment we were laughing; the next, I was in Lucas’s arms as he carried me bridal-style to the bedroom.

Instead of setting me on the bed, he placed me gently on the vanity table. He stood between my parted legs, his eyes locked on mine. My breath hitched as he brushed my hair behind my ear.

“My wife,” he whispered.

I wished he’d stop saying that.

My gaze dropped to his lips, and mine parted voluntarily. His scent flooded my senses. He smelled faintly of sandalwood, lavender and something I couldn't quite place my finger on. The way he stared at me made me feel things I shouldn't be feeling, especially not for my sister's man. Heat spread through me when he brushed his lips on mine. A soft delicate short kiss that stole my breath away. He tasted of red wine and chocolate.

When he claimed my lips again, it was different—urgent, hungry. His tongue parted my lips as he kissed me like a starved man. Every nerve ending came alive as he tilted my head to deepen the kiss, his hands tangled in my hair.

He lifted me off the vanity, my legs wrapping around his torso as he carried me to the bed, our lips still locked. My body was doing things it shouldn’t. His hands explored me, his shirt came off, revealing hard muscles that glowed in the candlelight. His lips returned to mine, then moved lower, finding sensitive spots on my neck that sent shivers down my spine.

When he pulled away, his gaze roamed over me, taking in the lace nightwear. His eyes darkened with desire.

Then everything changed in a blink.

The desire disappeared—replaced by

confusion. He stepped back abruptly, staring at me like I was a stranger.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Oh, shit.