The Mathias who had walked away so easily last night blurred into the man standing before me now, one who gazed at me as if I were his entire world.
And yet, they felt like two completely different people.
I couldn't tell, nor did I have the strength to.
Seeing my silence, Mathias pulled me into his arms, his fingers threading gently through my hair.
"Irene, I'm sorry. I was wrong last night. I'll make it up to you."
A fever had drained every ounce of my strength. My head rested weakly against his shoulder until my gaze landed on the collar of his shirt.
A bright red lipstick stain. My breath hitched. That shade, I recognized it instantly. The same bold crimson Nathalia had been wearing last night.
A violent shiver ran through me. Every breath felt like a dagger, piercing deep into my chest, twisting mercilessly.
Yet Mathias, still holding me close, remained oblivious. His gaze was locked on some distant point, shadows swirling in his eyes, a madness barely restrained.
He took a slow breath, exhaled, and said, "So, Irene… let's get engaged."
That very day, the news of our engagement dominated the headlines.
A young, self-made CEO and an orphaned girl, the contrast alone was enough to set the world abuzz.
But Mathias wasn’t satisfied.
He poured money into trending topics, secured exclusive interviews with top magazines, and ensured that news of our engagement echoed in every corner of society.
By afternoon, waves of reporters swarmed outside the house.
Over the next two days, before the cast on my foot had even been removed, I was forced into an extravagant gown, slipping my swollen feet into ice-cold heels that gleamed under the flashing lights.
Around my neck rested the emerald necklace Mathias had won at the auction, a jewel as heavy as the expectations he placed upon me.
Mathias, however, was in his element, his smile unwavering as he faced the cameras with effortless charm.
"I love Irene, and of course, I’ll give her nothing but the best."
"When it comes to the person I love, I spare no expense."
"I always have, and I always will."
The words spilled from his lips like a well-rehearsed script, polished and perfect.
When it was my turn to speak, all I could do was smile and nod, my lips curving into a practiced expression.
Not a single word escaped me.
I had brought up the idea of engagement with Mathias before.