Terms And Conditions Of the Heart

Chapter Four: A Lie That Feels Too Real

Eliana had been playing this game long enough to know the rules—never let emotions get involved, never let a lie feel too real, and never let Adrian Blackwood get under her skin.

And yet, here she was, standing in the middle of a glittering ballroom, heart pounding from the weight of the words that had just come out of Adrian's mouth.

"She makes me want to be a better man."

It was a performance. A well-delivered line meant to charm the investors, to make them believe in the fantasy of their engagement.

So why did it feel like everyone else in the room wasn't the only one falling for it?

She barely heard the investors' approving chuckles or their murmurs of interest. All she could focus on was the way Adrian was looking at her, as if he hadn't just spun another masterful lie but was actually standing by it.

She swallowed hard and forced a smile. "Well, I do like to keep him on his toes."

One of the older investors chuckled. "That's exactly what a man like Adrian needs. Someone who won't let him get too comfortable."

Adrian smirked. "She certainly doesn't."

It was a joke, a throwaway comment, and yet the warmth in his voice made it feel almost too natural.

Before she could react, one of the investors lifted his glass. "To the happy couple. May your partnership—both personal and professional—be a long and successful one."

The others raised their glasses in agreement.

Eliana had no choice but to do the same, though her stomach churned.

Because every toast, every approving nod, every exchanged glance made this lie feel more permanent.

And she wasn't sure if she was ready for that.

The Aftermath

The moment they were out of the investors' earshot, Eliana dropped Adrian's hand and turned on him.

"What the hell was that?" she demanded, her voice low but sharp.

Adrian's lips twitched. "You're going to have to be more specific, fiancée."

She let out a frustrated breath. "That little speech back there. She makes me want to be a better man? Are you serious?"

Adrian shrugged. "Would you have preferred I said something boring?"

"I would have preferred you not say anything at all," she snapped. "Stick to the plan. No surprises."

Adrian arched a brow, clearly amused. "You're upset because I made us look too convincing?"

Eliana folded her arms. "I'm upset because you enjoy this too much."

Adrian leaned in slightly, his smirk deepening. "Maybe I do."

Her stomach flipped. Damn him.

Before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air—smooth, laced with arrogance.

"Eliana?"

She turned, and the moment she saw the man approaching, her blood ran cold.

Nathan Hale.

Her ex.

The one she had once believed in. The one who had shattered that belief with cold, calculated betrayal.

Nathan's lips curled into a smirk. "Well, well. I must admit, I never pictured you as the settling-down type."

Eliana forced a tight smile, ignoring the way Adrian stiffened beside her. "Things change."

Nathan's gaze flicked to Adrian, assessing. "Do they?"

Adrian's expression was unreadable, but there was something dangerous in the way he held himself—like a man ready to step into a fight if necessary.

Nathan chuckled. "Adrian Blackwood. I have to say, I didn't expect Eliana to go for someone like you."

Adrian smirked. "And yet, here we are."

Nathan studied them for a long moment, then turned his attention back to Eliana. "You know, if you ever get tired of the act, you know where to find me."

Eliana saw red.

The audacity.

The sheer, unbelievable nerve of him.

Before she could respond, before she could even process the anger coursing through her veins, Adrian moved.

And then—

His lips were on hers.

The world stopped.

The sounds of the party faded, the murmurs of the crowd disappeared, and all that existed in that moment was the intoxicating heat of Adrian Blackwood's mouth on hers.

The kiss was deliberate, controlled, yet completely devastating.

Eliana should have pulled away.

Should have reminded herself that this was just part of the game.

But she couldn't.

Because Adrian kissed her like he wasn't pretending.

Like he wasn't just trying to prove a point.

Like he actually wanted her.

And that terrified her more than anything.

By the time he pulled away, her lips were tingling, her breath uneven, and her heart… God, her heart was a traitor.

Adrian smirked, his voice a low murmur only she could hear. "That was just for show, right?"

Eliana swallowed hard. "Right."

But the way her body betrayed her—the way she felt that kiss in every cell of her being—told her she was lying.

Just like before, this was the moment she should have walked away.

But she didn't.

Because deep down, she knew this was only the beginning.

Nathan was gone, but the kiss lingered.

Eliana didn't know if it had been enough to convince him that their engagement was real, but that wasn't what concerned her anymore.

What concerned her was the way her fingers still tingled from where they had touched Adrian's suit.

The way her lips still felt the ghost of his kiss.

The way her heart was still beating too damn fast.

Adrian, for his part, looked completely unaffected.

Smug, even.

Which only made her want to strangle him more.

She grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward an empty hallway, away from the crowd.

The moment they were alone, she whirled on him.

"What the hell was that?"

Adrian leaned against the wall, infuriatingly relaxed. "A distraction."

She crossed her arms. "From what?"

He tilted his head. "From the fact that your ex clearly thought he still had a chance with you."

She scoffed. "And you decided that the best way to handle it was—was that?"

His lips twitched. "Would you rather I punched him?"

Eliana let out a frustrated breath. "You didn't have to do anything, Adrian. I can handle myself."

His smirk softened just slightly, and for the first time that night, his voice lacked amusement.

"I know you can," he said quietly.

Something about the way he said it—so certain, so steady—made her chest tighten.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

For a moment, it was just the two of them in that dimly lit hallway, standing too close, breathing too hard, hearts pounding in completely different rhythms and yet somehow in sync.

And then, just as suddenly as it had happened—

Adrian took a step back.

"We should get back to the party," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "Before people start asking questions."

Eliana nodded, but as she followed him back inside, she knew that no one else needed to ask questions.

Because she already had too many of her own.

And worse—she was starting to fear the answers.