CHAPTER THREE: MRS PATTERSON

A marriage of convenience may be the contract, but the attraction between us is anything but ordinary. The world sees what we want them to see, but beneath the surface, the tension is undeniable. Tonight, we’re a power couple on display. But can we keep the act up?

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I can feel eyes on us—on Rex, mostly. His presence is magnetic, and even I, his wife, can’t help but be swept into it.

But despite all the attention, Rex stays focused on me, guiding me through the crowd with the same calm, composed confidence he’s always had.

“We’ll be surrounded by people all night,” he murmurs as we make our way toward the drinks table. “Just keep smiling and nodding. We’re here for a reason.”

I laugh softly, the sound light but genuine. “And what’s that reason again?”

“To show everyone that we’re the perfect power couple,” he replies, the glint of humor in his eyes. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

He’s always had a knack for easing the tension, making light of things when they’re getting too serious. And tonight, with the weight of the contract hanging over us, I need that lightness.

We make our way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with a few well-dressed socialites and businessmen, each of them eager to make small talk with the man of the hour. Rex is every bit the charming CEO, effortlessly handling the superficial conversations with a smile and a handshake. But when it comes to me, it’s a different story.

“What’s the story behind this beauty?” one of the older women asks, eyeing me up and down as she adjusts her diamond-studded necklace. “I’m surprised to see you married, Rex. You always were such a catch. Who would’ve thought?”

Rex laughs, his arm casually resting on the small of my back. “Well, you know, I have a soft spot for the unexpected,” he says, his voice playful, but I can hear the edge of pride in it. “Vanya here is a bit of a mystery to everyone, but she’s more than meets the eye.”

I roll my eyes slightly, trying to hide my amusement. “I’m a mystery now?”

He winks at me, and for a moment, I can’t help but feel like we’re in this together—playing our parts, but somehow, with each touch, each glance, we’re letting the boundaries between the act and the truth blur.

“Absolutely,” he says, his voice full of confidence. “You’ll never figure her out. Keeps life interesting.”

I laugh, the sound genuine this time. It’s ridiculous how well we’ve fallen into this routine already. It’s only been a few days, but it feels like we’ve done this dance a hundred times before.

“Tell me, Rex,” another man joins the conversation, his voice slick and smooth, like he’s trying a little too hard to sound casual. “How’s the new wife fitting in with the Patterson empire?”

The way he says “empire” makes me want to roll my eyes, but I hold my tongue. It’s not his fault he doesn’t understand what it means to actually be married to someone like Rex Patterson.

“She’s still getting used to it,” Rex replies, his hand tightening on my waist for a fraction of a second. “But she’s a quick learner. Besides, there’s no better company than my wife.”

I smile at the man, trying to keep up the appearance of the perfect Billionaire wife—gracious, poised, charming. “It’s been an adjustment, but I’m getting there,” I say. “Rex keeps me busy. Though I’m learning fast how to navigate these events without stepping on anyone’s toes.”

The man chuckles, but it feels almost patronizing. “Oh, we all know how it is. Every successful man needs a good woman by his side, right?”

I look up at Rex, noticing the flicker of annoyance that crosses his face before it vanishes as quickly as it came. “Exactly,” he says, his tone firm but diplomatic. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The conversation continues, but I tune it out, feeling a growing sense of unease in the pit of my stomach. I’ve never been one for these kinds of events—these high-society masquerades where the masks are as thick as the smiles. I don’t belong here, but for tonight, I have to play the part. I have to be the perfect wife.

Rex feels my shift in energy and leans in slightly, his voice dropping to a low whisper only I can hear. “Don’t let them get to you. They’re just talking. You and me, we’re above all this.”

His words should comfort me, but instead, they bring something else to the surface—something deeper.

I nod, but my mind drifts back to what’s at stake here. This contract. The reasons we’re really here.

For a moment, I lose track of everything else, and it’s just the two of us, standing together in the sea of people, pretending to be something we’re not. But then Rex’s hand brushes against mine again, pulling me back into the present.

The night passes in a blur of conversations and polite laughter, and by the time we’re standing on the balcony, away from the noise of the party, I feel like I can finally breathe.

Rex stands next to me, his eyes scanning the city skyline, the lights twinkling in the distance. “Do you ever get used to this?” I ask, the question slipping from my lips before I can stop it.

He glances at me, his face unreadable. “Used to what? The wealth? The fame?”

I shrug, leaning against the railing. “Everything. This world. It’s like a different reality from what I know.”

Rex takes a step closer, his voice quieter now. “It’s not as glamorous as it looks, Vanya. Sometimes, I wish I could just walk away from it all.”

I look at him, studying his expression, and for the first time tonight, I see the cracks in the facade—the weariness that he’s kept hidden from everyone else. “Then why don’t you?”

His gaze shifts to me, and for a moment, I think he’s going to answer, but then he just shakes his head. “Maybe someday.”

We stand there for a moment, the sounds of the party still echoing through the walls of the venue. And in that quiet space, it’s like we’re alone in the world again, no masks, no expectations. Just Rex and me.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything settle around me. This marriage. This contract. It’s all supposed to be temporary.

But with every passing second, I’m more unsure of what I’m doing here. More unsure of what I’m feeling.

But Rex—Rex, standing beside me, his presence filling the space—he’s not making this any easier.

And just like that, the doubts begin to grow.