Page 57 of Claiming Pretty

It should have felt wrong—unnatural, a lie we’d crafted to infiltrate this place.

But the truth was, I didn’t hate it. Not even a little.

“…and finally, this is where we host our monthly family engagement events,” the director said, her smile practiced but proud as she led us into a small ballroom that reminded me of the one in Blackthorn with its soaring ceilings adorned in intricate plasterwork and a massive crystal chandelier casting shimmering light over the polished parquet floors.

I nodded along, doing my best to appear like the devoted wife I was pretending to be.

This isn’t real.

I told myself over and over.

But the words felt hollow, empty, as Ty’s fingers, firm on the small of my back, sent waves of heat through me that were anything but pretend.

“Can you imagine, my love,” Ty said as he pulled me closer, his arm wrapping snugly around my waist. “Us here, dancing, with our little girl or boy clinging to your dress.”

My heart clenched, a sharp, unexpected pain slicing through me as the fantasy took root before I could stop it. I saw it so clearly—the grandeur of the ballroom alive with music, a child’s laughter echoing as little hands clung to the hem of my dress.

It was a perfect, impossible dream, one that didn’t belong to me. Not with Ty.

I shoved it away, hard, burying it before it could sink its claws in too deeply.

This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.

I tried to laugh it off, forcing a smile even as the ache in my chest lingered like a stubborn bruise.

But Ty’s firm muscular body, flush against mine, burned through the fabric of my dress, his touch maddeningly possessive as he stared down at me.

I felt the weight of his gaze, heavy and unrelenting, and I knew exactly what he intended. The line he meant to cross. The line he—we—both swore to Ciaran we wouldn’t.

“Just… promise me you won’t kiss her.”

But God help me, I didn’t move. I couldn’t.

My breath caught as Ty leaned in, his lips brushing softly against mine.

I tore my lips away, guilt churning in my stomach, hot and suffocating.

I was betraying Scáth. I was betraying him by feeling this much. By letting my heart stutter every time Ty whispered “my wife” or brushed his lips against mine with a tenderness that didn’t feel fake.

I hated that part of me wanted to believe it. That part of me didn’t want to stop pretending.

And maybe that was the worst of it—knowing that deep down, I wasn’t sure if I could even call this pretending anymore. Not when Ty looked at me like that. Like I was his whole world. Like I’d always been his.

“This must be such an emotional journey for the two of you,” the director said, her tone empathetic. “Finding the right fit, building your family…”

“Our road has been challenging and painful,” Ty said, his voice carrying a weight that went beyond the ruse. “And for a while, I thought she was going to choose someone else… But I vowed to her I wouldn’t stop until she realized she wasmine.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering against my ribs.

The director made a soft, approving sound, clearly charmed by Ty’s devotion.

This wasn’t just a game to him. And that scared me more than I cared to admit.

I had to put a stop to this. I had to remind him that Iwasn’this and never would be.

I forced myself to meet Ty’s gaze even though it felt like stepping into a fire. I reached out to rest my hand lightly onhis arm, the gesture warm and affectionate—perfect for the ruse.

“True, it hasn’t been easy,” I said, my voice steady but laced with a pointed edge meant for him alone. “But I’ve always believed in staying true to my promises. To my heart. Even if it lies in theshadows.”

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