Jenna's POV
The event was in full swing when we entered, and the buzz of voices filled the air. Glittering chandeliers cast a warm glow over the room, and the scent of expensive perfume and champagne lingered as I scanned the crowd. Felix had his hand lightly resting on the small of my back, guiding me as if we’d done this a thousand times.
But I felt anything but calm. My heart pounded in my chest, and my hands trembled slightly. Just get through this, I told myself. You’re here for a reason.
“Smile,” Felix whispered in my ear, his breath brushing against my skin. “We’re the perfect couple tonight, remember?”
I forced a smile, trying to hide the whirlwind of emotions inside me. We weaved through the crowd, exchanging polite nods and small greetings. Felix was in his element, commanding the room with his presence, and I could feel eyes on us. People were watching, whispering, probably wondering who I was.
And then I saw him—Aiden.
He was standing near the bar, his arm casually draped around Clara. She was laughing at something he said, looking at him with a gaze that seemed so familiar. That was our life. That used to be me.
For a moment, I felt a sharp pain in my chest, like I couldn’t breathe. I had imagined what it would be like to see Aiden again, but nothing prepared me for this. Not with him standing there, happy, like nothing had happened. Like I hadn’t been traded away like some poker chip.
Felix must have sensed my tension because his grip on my waist tightened slightly, pulling me closer to him. I glanced up at him, and he gave me a small, reassuring smile—one that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Time to show him what he lost,” Felix murmured, his voice low but firm.
I nodded, trying to shake off the heaviness that had settled in my chest. This was what I had agreed to. I wanted Aiden to feel the same pain I did. I wanted him to see me with Felix and realize that he had lost me. But deep down, a small voice whispered, Do you really want this?
As we approached Aiden and Clara, Felix extended his hand. “Aiden, good to see you,” he said smoothly, his tone dripping with confidence.
Aiden’s gaze shifted from Felix to me, and for a split second, I saw something flicker in his eyes—surprise? Regret? It was gone just as quickly, replaced by that indifferent look he had mastered so well.
“Felix,” Aiden said, nodding in acknowledgment, but his eyes stayed on me. “Jenna.”
I could feel Clara’s eyes on me too, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. She looked at me like she had won some prize, like she was the victor in this twisted game. And maybe she was. After all, Aiden was with her now, not me.
“Jenna looks stunning tonight, doesn’t she?” Felix said, his arm tightening around my waist. “I’m lucky to have her.”
Aiden’s jaw clenched slightly, but he said nothing. Clara, however, was quick to chime in. “Yes, she does,” she said sweetly, but there was an edge to her voice. “You two look… cozy.”
I forced myself to meet Aiden’s gaze, trying to mask the hurt that still lingered in my chest. “We’re very happy,” I said, the words coming out colder than I intended. “Aiden, it’s nice to see you again. I hope you’re doing well.”
He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking between me and Felix. “Yeah, I’m good,” he said, his voice strained. “You?”
“I’m better than ever,” I replied, my voice firmer now, trying to convince myself as much as him. “Thanks for asking.”
The tension in the air was thick, and I could tell that Felix was enjoying every second of it. He was playing his role perfectly, and I was doing my best to follow along. But deep down, it felt wrong. All of it. This wasn’t who I was.
Just then, Clara broke the silence. “Well, we won’t keep you two. Enjoy the night,” she said, her hand sliding possessively over Aiden’s arm. She smiled at me, a smug expression that made my stomach twist.
As they turned to walk away, I couldn’t help but wonder if Aiden even cared. Did he feel anything seeing me with Felix? Did he regret what he had done?
Before I could get lost in my thoughts, Felix leaned down, his voice soft in my ear. “See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
I looked up at him, forcing another smile. “No, it wasn’t.”
But as I stood there, surrounded by strangers and false pretenses, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing myself in this game. Felix might have won the battle tonight, but the war was far from over. And I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep playing this role before everything came crashing down.