Emma's POV

The echoes of Adrian’s low chuckle, the lingering phantom warmth of his hand at the small of my back, followed me from the glittering ballroom back into the hushed opulence of the penthouse. The gala had been a blur of forced smiles and whispered introductions, a dazzling, exhausting performance. Yet, his unexpected reaction to seeing me in the blue dress, the raw intensity in his eyes, and the quiet intimacy of our first dance had left a confusing residue on my soul. This wasn't just a contract anymore. It was becoming a dangerous game of unspoken emotions, played out under the watchful eyes of a society that saw only the facade.