Chapter 4

I stood in front of the mirror, admiring my reflection with a grin on my face. The name Mrs. Cullen had a nice ring to it, and it was a far cry from the name I used to go by. I twirled a strand of my long blonde hair around my finger, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me.

I was getting ready for Cullen's party, feeling pretty darn excited. It was all for show, of course - our marriage was as fake as my blonde hair, but that didn't mean we couldn't have a little fun with it.

I paced back and forth, debating what to wear. I wanted something that said "hot damn", but not "trying too hard". 

But then, a small frown creased my forehead.

Cullen wanted an heir, and I needed to give him one. And then, there was my Spanish husband in Los Angeles. He didn't know what I was up to in New York, and Cullen didn't know I was married.

I mean, sure, I wanted to secure my future and all, but the thought of carrying a child for him made me feel so uncomfortable. 

I had to find a way to handle the situation without getting caught. I had to gamble it all, and the money was my number one priority. 

Eventually, I settled on a red gown that hugged my curves like a second skin. Perfect. I swept my hair up into a messy bun, securing it with a few well-placed bobby pins. And with a final touch of bright red lipstick.

I mean, I was no stranger to turning heads, but tonight I was going to give the paparazzi something to really talk about.

I strutted into the room, the sound of my heels clicking on the hardwood floor filling the air. 

As I made my way down the stairs, I could feel all eyes on me. Who could blame them? I looked smoking hot in this dress, if I do say so myself.

Cullen was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, looking dapper in his suit. He gave me a nod of approval and we made our way into the party.

His eyes widened as I sauntered over to him, a playful grin on my lips. He was clearly impressed. And honestly, who wouldn't be? I was Brielle, after all. And when I wanted to make an impression, I always delivered.

The music was thumping, the drinks were flowing, and everyone was having a good time. I caught more than a few lingering glances, and I made sure to give a sultry smile in return. 

This was my element - a little bit of danger, a whole lot of fun, and all eyes on me. Who needs a real marriage when you can have this kind of excitement?

"Oh, look who's coming our way! It's Evie." 

I watched as she strutted towards us, her hips swaying with each step. She stopped in front of Cullen and me, her eyes scanning us from head to toe. I knew she was impressed.

"Congratulations, you two!" she exclaimed, a huge grin spreading across her face. "You and Cullen make such a great couple."

I flashed her a grin. "Thanks, Evie!" 

Cullen nodded in thanks, then excused himself to greet his other guests. As he walked away, Evie turned to me, her gaze intense.

"Girl, Cullen is such a catch," she said, her voice low and sultry. "How did you manage to land a guy like that?"

I raised an eyebrow, with a smirk playing on my lips. "Oh, darling, you didn't really expect anything less from me, did you?" I drawled, twirling a strand of hair around my finger.

Evie chuckled, clearly amused by my bravado.

"Oh, I never do, Brielle." she said, as her eyes flicked over to where Cullen was chatting with his guests. "But he is quite the prize, isn't he?" 

My smile widened. "He is indeed, and I plan on keeping him all to myself."

So there I was, standing with Evie. I was feeling pretty good. But then, out of nowhere, I spotted him.

He was walking towards us with purpose, his chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes drawing me in. My heart started racing, and I couldn't explain the strange feeling that was overwhelming me.

I felt a strange sensation in the pit of my stomach, a feeling I had never experienced before. 

What was this strange feeling? I've never felt like this before at the sight of any man, not even when his pockets were full because that was all that ever mattered to me

But this guy was different. Was it love at first sight? I scoffed at the thought, reminding myself that I didn't believe in that kind of fairy tale nonsense.

I felt my palms getting sweaty and my throat getting dry as he approached us. I tried to compose myself, but my body was already betraying me.

"Congratulations on your marriage," he said, his voice smooth as silk, extending his hand to me. I took it, feeling a shock run through my body at his touch.

I couldn't help but feel drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. His smile was warm and welcoming, and I found myself staring at him, mesmerized by his beauty.

For once, my usual materialistic tendencies took a backseat. It wasn't about his pocketbook or his status in society. It was about the way he made me feel, the way he looked at me, and the way he made my heart skip a beat.

I could feel myself turning red as I stuttered out a response. "Umm, thank you," I managed to say.

He turned to Evie, flashing a charming smile. She grinned back at him, playing along with his flirtatious banter. 

I could tell she was loving the attention, but I couldn't bring myself to care. All I could focus on was the way the stranger's eyes kept drifting back to me.

I felt a pang of longing in my chest. Who was he?

I was still reeling from the encounter with Drew, trying to process the unfamiliar sensations that had coursed through me, when I heard a voice behind me. "Oh, I see you've met my cousin Drew," it said.

I turned to see my husband Cullen approaching, his trademark smirk playing at the corners of his lips. 

"Your cousin?" I said, my voice betraying my surprise. The hot, young guy who had set my pulse pounding was related to Cullen. I had no idea that Drew was related to my Cullen.

Cullen's smirk grew wider as he looked from me to Drew and back again. "Yeah, Drew will be in town for a while. I've been meaning to introduce you guys, but I guess you beat me to it."

But before I could even begin to process this revelation, Evie stepped in and interrupted the moment. With her usual lack of subtlety, she stretched out her hands to greet Drew.

"Hi, I'm Evie. It's nice to meet you," she said, batting her eyelashes in a way that made it clear she was flirting shamelessly.

Drew, for his part, seemed to take it all in stride. He flashed Evie a charming smile, shaking her hand with a gentle firmness.

"It's nice to meet you too, Evie," he said, his voice low and smooth. 

Part of me was still reeling from the realization that Drew was related to Cullen, while another part of me was still struggling to make sense of the unfamiliar feelings that he had stirred up in me.

I was sure Evie felt the same way I did when I first saw him - a magnetic attraction that couldn't be denied. But I was married to Cullen. 

Even though my marriage to Cullen was just a business arrangement, I couldn't let anyone suspect that there was anything less than true love between us.

I couldn't ruin it all with the feelings that Drew stirred in me. I couldn't risk it, not when my future was on the line.

Jealousy is a tricky thing, and even the craziest of us aren't immune to it. 

Suddenly, I felt my phone vibrate in my purse, I opened it and my heart skipped a beat as I saw Ignacio's name flash on my phone screen. 

I turned to Cullen, trying to gauge his reaction. I couldn't let him suspect that anything was amiss.

"I'll be back," I said, leaning in to give him a kiss. It was all for show, a performance for the cameras. But even as I kissed him, I couldn't stop staring at Drew as Evie flirted with him.

I stepped outside, letting the cool breeze wash over me. I swung my hips, making sure that everyone noticed me. I was Brielle, and I refused to be anyone's pawn.

I answered the phone, letting Ignacio's voice fill my ear. The sound of his accent was like music to my ears.

"Mi amor," he said.

I looked back at Cullen, who was watching me from across the room. I couldn't let him know what was going on.

"Darling," I cooed, trying to sound as sweet as possible. "How are you?"

Ignacio's voice was warm and affectionate. "I miss you. When will you be back?"

"I don't know when I'll be back in Los Angeles,"I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I lied to Ignacio. "This business trip has been so stressful and boring without you." Of course, I didn't tell him that the "business" I was referring to was my marriage to Cullen.

Living a double life wasn't easy. It was going to be a challenge to keep up the act for the full two years of my marriage contract with Cullen. 

I'm Brielle, after all. I knew how to play this game. I've always been one step ahead of everyone else, even if it meant taking risks and playing dirty. 

And with Cullen by my side, I knew I could get everything I wanted.