UNWANTED ENGAGEMENT

Chapter 3: The Unwanted Engagement

Elena never thought her life would turn into a spectacle for the entire world to see. But now, with just one announcement, she had become the center of gossip, headlines, and scrutiny.

The engagement between her and Damien Sterling had spread like wildfire. Newspapers, magazines, and online articles painted different versions of their story. Some called it a fairy tale—an ordinary woman capturing the heart of a billionaire. Others saw it as a scandal, with Elena as a gold digger who had somehow tricked the ruthless CEO into marriage.

None of them knew the truth.

The truth was that she had no choice.

And tonight, at a high-profile party filled with the wealthiest and most powerful people, she was going to be put on display like an object.

Thrown into the Lion’s Den

Elena sat stiffly in the back of the sleek black car as it made its way toward the grand hotel where the party was being held. She clenched her hands in her lap, her fingers trembling slightly.

“You’re too tense,” Damien’s voice cut through the silence.

She turned to look at him. He sat beside her, dressed in a tailored black suit, his expression unreadable as always.

“What do you expect?” she muttered. “I’m about to walk into a room full of people who think I’m after your money.”

Damien didn’t even blink. “Ignore them.”

She scoffed. “Easy for you to say.”

He glanced at her, his cold gaze assessing her. “They don’t matter. Just smile, stay by my side, and don’t say anything unnecessary.”

Elena’s jaw tightened. He made it sound so simple, as if she wasn’t about to be thrown to the wolves.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Bright lights flashed as photographers rushed forward, their cameras clicking rapidly. A line of luxury cars filled the driveway, each one dropping off another wealthy guest.

The driver opened the door, and Damien stepped out first, adjusting his suit as if he owned the entire world.

Then he held out his hand for her.

Elena hesitated, but she knew she had no choice. Taking a deep breath, she placed her hand in his. His grip was firm but impersonal, and as soon as she was out of the car, he dropped her hand like it had never been there.

The moment she stepped onto the red carpet, the whispers started.

“That’s her?”

“She doesn’t look like much.”

“I heard she’s just a nobody. Her family is bankrupt, and she’s using him to save them.”

Elena forced herself to keep her expression neutral. Her heart pounded, but she refused to let them see her weakness.

Damien, of course, didn’t react to any of it. He walked forward confidently, ignoring the murmurs as if they didn’t exist. Elena followed beside him, her head held high even though every part of her wanted to run.

A Party Meant for the Rich and Ruthless

Inside the grand ballroom, chandeliers sparkled above, casting a golden glow over the elegantly dressed guests. Waiters moved between the crowd with trays of champagne, and soft classical music played in the background.

Elena had never been in a place like this before. The luxury, the wealth, the sheer arrogance in the air—it was suffocating.

Damien led her through the crowd, offering nods to familiar faces but never stopping to make small talk. He moved like a king among his subjects, and people watched him with both admiration and fear.

Finally, they stopped near a group of people.

“Elena,” Damien said smoothly, placing a hand on her waist in a calculated display of possession. “Meet Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair. And this is their daughter, Victoria.”

Elena forced a polite smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Victoria, a stunning woman with flawless features, gave her a once-over, her lips curling slightly. “So you’re the lucky woman who caught Damien’s eye.”

Elena stiffened at the condescending tone.

“Quite the surprise, isn’t it?” Victoria continued, sipping her champagne. “I don’t think anyone saw this engagement coming.”

Elena wasn’t sure how to respond. Was she supposed to pretend this was a love match? Should she act indifferent?

Damien, of course, said nothing.

Before Elena could think of a response, another voice chimed in.

“I heard she’s just a gold digger,” a woman whispered, not bothering to lower her voice.

Elena turned slightly and saw a small group of elegantly dressed women watching her like vultures. One of them smirked. “I mean, isn’t it obvious? Her father’s company is drowning in debt, and suddenly she’s engaged to one of the richest men in the country?”

Laughter rippled through the group.

Elena’s hands curled into fists at her sides.

She wanted to lash out. She wanted to tell them that they had no idea what they were talking about.

But before she could say a word, Damien spoke.

His voice was cold, sharp as a blade. “If you have time to gossip, perhaps you have time to explain why your family’s stocks have been dropping lately.”

The room went silent.

The woman who had spoken went pale, her eyes widening.

Damien tilted his head slightly. “Or should I assume you have nothing better to do than insult my fiancée?”

Elena stared at him in shock.

The woman swallowed hard. “I… I didn’t mean—”

“I don’t care what you meant.” Damien’s voice was bored, but his meaning was clear. “If you want to stay in my good graces, I suggest you choose your words more carefully.”

With that, he turned away, guiding Elena forward.

She was still trying to process what had just happened.

Had he just defended her?

No. He didn’t care about her. He had only spoken up to protect his reputation. If people disrespected his fiancée, it reflected poorly on him.

Her chest tightened.

She wasn’t his partner. She wasn’t even a person to him.

She was just a trophy.

An Unspoken Warning

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Elena was introduced to more powerful figures, forced to smile and nod while people judged her with thinly veiled curiosity.

Damien remained detached the entire time. He never once looked at her with warmth or affection. He was playing a role, just as she was.

At one point, a drunken guest stumbled toward her, his eyes glazed over. “So, you’re the lucky girl, huh?” he slurred. “How much did it cost you to land him?

Elena stiffened.

Damien stepped forward immediately. His expression was calm, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes.

“Leave,” he ordered, The man blinked. “What?”

“I don’t repeat myself.”

The coldness in Damien’s voice sent a shiver down Elena’s spine.

The man hesitated, then laughed nervously before walking away.

Damien exhaled sharply, as if irritated. “Stay away from fools like that.”

Elena frowned. “I didn’t go looking for him.”

Damien didn’t respond.

They left the party soon after. The ride back to his estate was silent.

when they arrived, Elena finally spoke.

“Why did you defend me tonight?” she asked.

Damien glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Because you belong to me now.”

Her breath caught.

It wasn’t love. It wasn’t kindness.

It was ownership.

And that realization made her feel more trapped than ever.