mysterious identity

The evening was cold, and Selena's heart pounded in her chest. As she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the silk fabric of her dress, she knew tonight was crucial. Tonight, she would introduce Damian to her family. It wasn't just any dinner—it was a meeting that could alter the course of her life. She had kept her marriage to Damian a secret, hoping her family would never find out, but now, it was time for the truth. Well, a version of it, at least.

Her father, Dominic Vale, was not a man easily deceived. A powerful businessman with sharp eyes that missed nothing, he had always expected her to follow the path he had set for her. The weight of his judgment pressed heavily on her, but she had made up her mind. She needed to take control of her own life. She knew convincing him wouldn't be easy. She had no concrete plan—just the determination to act as if she had loved Damian for a long time, leaving no room for suspicion. But it wouldn't be easy.

She turned to Damian, who stood by the door in a sleek black suit that emphasized his tall, commanding presence. In the morning light, she had thought he looked like a nobleman from a high-class family, the kind of man her father would respect. Now, she just hoped he could play the part.

"Are you ready?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.

Damian gave a slight smirk. "Let's go."

He opened the car door for her, and Selena slid into the passenger seat. As he settled into the driver's seat, she glanced at him. "I didn't know you could drive."

He chuckled, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "I learned in college. A friend taught me."His voice was light, but there was a hint of nostalgia in his words.

She arched her brow. "If you want a car, you could have just asked me. I could buy one for you." Her tone was teasing, but her eyes watched him closely, curious about his reaction. She wanted to see if he'd take the bait or if he'd maintain his calm composure.

Damian only smiled, his gaze steady. "If you want, I can pick you up and drop you off every day." His voice was casual, but there was a certain challenge in his tone, as if inviting her to make the next move.

She rolled her eyes, but there was warmth in her voice. "I don't need that kind of service," she said, her tone firm but soft. 

The drive to the Vale mansion was filled with a tense silence. The reality of the situation weighed heavily on Selena. Damian reached over and squeezed her hand gently, grounding her. "We've got this," he murmured.

As they pulled up to the grand estate, the golden lights from the mansion cast long shadows on the ground. Selena's heart thudded painfully in her chest. Before she could move, Damian grasped her wrist and pulled her close. Her breath hitched as she stared up at him, the intensity in his eyes leaving her momentarily breathless.

The world around them seemed to blur, and for a split second, it was just the two of them, locked in an unspoken tension.

"Take your hands off me," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of nervousness and anger. Her eyes flashed with defiance, though the tension in her body betrayed her. She wasn't sure if she was more frustrated by his touch or the emotions it stirred within her.

His smirk deepened. "We need to make them believe, Selena. That's what you wanted, right?" His grip tightened just slightly, and she could see the amusement in his dark gaze.

She swallowed hard, unsure whether to be annoyed or impressed by his confidence. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and led the way inside.

The grand dining hall was already set, and the moment they entered, all eyes were on them. Her father, Dominic, sat at the head of the table, his commanding presence filling the room. His sharp gaze landed on Damian, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

"Selena," Dominic said, his voice cold and authoritative. "When were you planning to inform your family about this sudden… marriage?"

Selena lifted her chin. "It was a private decision, Father. I made it on my own. I didn't think it was necessary to inform anyone before now."

His jaw tightened. " Damian," 

Dominic said, his tone laced with suspicion. "You look… familiar. Where exactly do you come from?"

Damian remained composed. "I come from an ordinary family, Mr. Vale. I'm not from a background like yours."

Dominic smirked, but there was no warmth in it. "Is that so? We'll see about that. Being part of this family is not just about marriage. It's about loyalty, about understanding power."

Before Damian could respond, Selena's mother, Isla Vale, spoke up. Her voice was soft, filled with concern. "Selena, dear, why didn't you tell us about this sooner? A marriage should not be a secret."

Selena hesitated. She hadn't expected her mother to take it so personally. But before she could answer, Damian spoke.

"We met in college," he said smoothly. "When I was a new student, I was lost, and Selena helped me. We were in the same class, and we became friends.

That friendship turned into love, and eventually, we realized we wanted to be together. I married her because I love her, and I will take care of her, Mrs. Vale."

Selena stared at him, amazed at how effortlessly he lied. When he had said he would handle everything, she hadn't taken him seriously. But now, she could see the way he carefully crafted his words, gaining her mother's trust.

Isla sighed, nodding. "I only want what's best for you, Selena."

But Dominic was far from convinced. His dark gaze remained locked on Damian. "You say you come from an ordinary family, yet you managed to enter the top college in M City. How did you afford it?"

Selena tensed, knowing this was her father's way of probing for inconsistencies.

Damian met his gaze without hesitation. "I was awarded a full scholarship. I didn't have to pay anything."

Dominic said nothing, but Selena knew her father well. He wasn't satisfied with that answer.

The atmosphere was thick with tension until Rohan Vale, Selena's younger brother, leaned back in his chair with a teasing smile. "Well, Sister, you and Brother-in-law certainly look perfect together. But why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have ratted you out." He grinned mischievously.

Some family members chuckled, but the tension remained. Then Dominic stood, his chair scraping against the floor. "Selena. Damian. Join me in my study. Now."

The moment they stepped into the study, the air grew colder. The dim lighting cast sharp shadows across the room, adding to the tension between them.

Dominic poured himself a drink, the clink of ice the only sound breaking the silence. His sharp gaze never wavered from Damian, studying him like a puzzle missing a crucial piece.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and He looked at Selena and said, "I don't expect this from you." His voice was calm, but a hint of disappointment lingered beneath the surface.

Selena knew she had to convince her father. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and spoke with quiet determination.

"Father, I married Damian because I love him. I truly believe this was the right choice," she said, her voice unwavering yet filled with emotion. She met his gaze, willing him to understand. "But more than that, I made this decision for myself. I need you to trust me, just as I have always trusted you."

He looked at her, sighed, and said, "You can go now. I need to talk to Damian alone." His gaze shifted to Damian, sharp and unreadable.

Selena hesitated, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "But, Dad—"

Damian gently placed a hand on her arm, his touch firm yet reassuring. "You can go. There's no need to worry," he said smoothly.

With a reluctant nod, Selena turned and left, though the unease in her chest remained, lingering like an unspoken tension. 

Dominic looke Damian and said to him,"I don't believe in coincidences, Damian. You seem too prepared for this." He took a slow sip before setting the glass down with a deliberate thud. His eyes darkened. "Who exactly are you?"

"I'm just an ordinary man, Mr. Vale," Damian answered evenly, his expression unreadable.

Dominic narrowed his eyes, unimpressed. He leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the glass in his hand. "Ordinary men don't marry into power so effortlessly," he remarked, his tone laced with suspicion. "Try again."

"Dominic took a slow sip before setting his glass down with force. The sharp sound echoed through the room. He had run a background check the moment he heard about Selena's marriage to Damian. Yet, frustratingly, he found nothing—no red flags, no hidden past, nothing suspicious. But that only made him more doubtful. He didn't trust him.

His gaze hardened as he leaned forward, eyes locked onto Damian. "So, tell me—what exactly are you hiding?"

For the first time that night, hesitation flickered in Damian's dark eyes. A brief, unreadable moment passed between them.

Dominic leaned forward, his expression deadly. "I know exactly who you are, Damian. And the real question is—why did you come here? What do you want with my daughter?"

Damian straightened, his voice calm but firm. "I came because Selena is my wife. And I intend to be with her."

Dominic smirked, his expression unreadable. "We'll see how long that lasts."