Chapter -32

Casey’s POV

The applause from the crowd swirled around us, growing louder as Owen slid the ring onto my finger, the cool metal sending a shock through my entire body. The moment felt surreal, like I was standing outside myself, watching from the sidelines as Owen and I kissed in front of the cameras and the flashing lights. The media frenzy was in full swing, and I was trapped in the middle of it all, wearing a ring that was not mine, playing the part of a woman I was not sure I could be.

As soon as our lips parted, Owen whispered into my ear, “Smile, the cameras are still on us.”

I plastered on the most convincing smile I could muster, my cheeks aching from the effort. My heart raced as I stole a glance at the audience—journalists, board members, family, all of them watching us with eager eyes.

We stepped off the stage, and immediately, Owen was pulled into conversations with members of the press and upper management. I stood beside him, nodding and smiling, trying to blend into the