All Chapters of The bride's stand-In: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

The weight of Lucas's words settled over Evelyn like a soft but insistent reminder. She had long grown accustomed to the presence of guards, to the careful watchful eyes shadowing her every move. But Lucas was different. The way he protected her was nothing like the suffocating presence of her father’s men or the relentless overprotection of Brandon Haze.“I understand,” she assured him, her voice steady. “Don’t worry—I’ll try to excuse myself early tonight.”A flicker of something unreadable crossed Lucas’s face, but he said nothing more. They stepped forward together, crossing the threshold into the grand hall.The atmosphere shifted immediately.The party was a vision of dark elegance, a masquerade drenched in gothic splendor. Gilded chandeliers of iron and crystal loomed overhead, their long taper candles casting wavering shadows against the towering black walls. Every guest was adorned in extravagant attire, their faces concealed behind masks that ranged from eerily beautiful to

Elle nearly stumbled.If not for Elijah’s smooth, practiced grace, she would have faltered mid-step, ruining the illusion of effortless elegance. Instead, he steadied her, seamlessly guiding them back into the waltz as though nothing had happened at all.Her pulse thundered in her ears. Had she truly just reacted to mere words?Thank God for the phoenix-wing-inspired mask covering the upper half of her face. Otherwise, everyone would have seen the sheer disbelief flickering in her eyes. She needed to get a grip. It wasn’t real. He was just… toying with her. Right?This man is an actor. A damn good one.Forcing out a soft chuckle, she decided to play along, matching his performance with one of her own. “Vampires, hmm…” She tilted her head slightly, feigning deep contemplation. “I think I wouldn’t mind catching a glimpse of a real one. As long as he’s not out for my blood.”For the briefest moment, something flashed in his eyes—an emotion too complex to name.She kept her gaze locked on

Something flickered in Michael’s eyes at Evelyn’s question. A glint of something unreadable, elusive—gone before she could grasp its meaning. Before she could even try to decipher it, he led her into a reverse turn, his hand firm yet effortless as he guided her. The moment their steps aligned, their bodies moved in harmony, as if they had done this dance a hundred times before.The waltz was flawless, each movement as smooth as flowing silk. Michael’s precision was undeniable, his presence commanding yet impossibly graceful. Evelyn’s breath hitched as she followed his lead, her eyes locked onto his piercing grey ones. A part of her wanted to question how he could dance so perfectly, but that thought was quickly overshadowed by the undeniable magic of the moment.Her lips curled into a small smile, one of awe and disbelief. She could hardly believe how effortlessly they moved together, how naturally her body responded to his subtle guidance. The silent understanding between them was un

The air in the grand ballroom was thick with an unspoken tension, masked only by the lingering sound of soft music and hushed conversations. Evelyn’s pulse remained unsteady, though she kept her expression serene, unwilling to let anything slip past her carefully maintained facade.“That’s too bad, then.” Elijah sighed dramatically before leaning in ever so slightly, his voice taking on a different tone—one that was smoother, softer, and strangely genuine. “Your presence truly imparted such color and light to my usually uninteresting parties, Evelyn.”His words, weighted and deliberate, were enough to momentarily distract her from the chaos swirling in her mind. She had spent the last several minutes attempting to process Michael’s sudden shift in demeanor—the way he had called her Iza, the way his touch had lingered just a second too long. But now, Elijah’s unexpected remark drew her attention back into the present.“Oh… you do flatter me, Prince Elijah.” Evelyn tilted her head sligh

With a confident smirk, Evelyn stepped out of the elevator. Her heart pounded, but not from fear—no, this was excitement. She had given her all, pushing her body to its limit, running like the wind the moment she had the chance. The corridor stretched ahead, empty and silent, but she didn’t slow down. Victory was hers.No matter how fast he was, there was no way he could catch her now. She had been careful, strategic. There was only one elevator in this wing, no secret staircases, no shortcuts she wasn’t already aware of. Unless, of course… he had magic.The thought brought an amused glimmer to her eyes. Magic. That would be the only explanation.The large double doors at the end of the corridor came into view, and Evelyn finally slowed. Her breath came in steady pants, her body still thrumming with the rush of the chase. She shook her head, allowing herself a small smile. What had gotten into her?“Seriously, Evelyn…” she muttered under her breath, almost laughing at herself. Running