Chapter 17: The Fine Line Between Duty And Desire

It was charity gala morning, and for the residents of the Regal estate, it had been a tense morning before the sun even rose.

Valerie in front of the mirror, the makeup artist tending her face. All night she'd not slept, her head swirling with the weight of the world on her shoulders. This wasn’t simply an event; it was a test. A trial run, to see if she could squeeze into Victor’s world.

And she didn’t know if she wanted to pass or fail.

Clara came in and beamed at her. "Sabbie, you look stunning."

Valerie forced a smile. "I feel like a mannequin."

Clara laughed, advancing to straighten an invisible wrinkle on Valerie’s gown. “Regals do know how to carry themselves. You and Victor need tonight right now. The world is watching."

Before Valerie could answer, the door opened, and Victor walked in. He looked at her for a second longer than was needed and his usual cold expression resumed.

"Are you ready?"

Valerie raised a brow. "Do I have a choice?"

Victor’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

Clara rubbed her hands together. "Enough tension, you two! The car is waiting. Don’t keep our guests waiting.”

The car ride to the gala was claustrophobic. The only sound in the car came from Victor’s phone as he read his emails and clicked, clicked, clicked. Valerie looked out the window as the city lights blurred by.

She finally exhaled sharply. “You know, if I fall in this dress and embarrass you, it won’t be on purpose. But I won’t feel guilty over it either.”

Victor smirked slightly. "Then don’t trip."

Valerie rolled her eyes, but the smirk tugging at the corners of her lips was impossible to push back.

On arriving at the grand venue, the flash of cameras went and whispers passed among the throng. Victor was the first one out, then he turned around and offered his hand.

Valerie paused for a split second, then slipped her hand into his. His grip held strong, grounding, as he helped her from the car.

They entered together, all eyes upon them. Valerie felt the burden of their gazes, the questioning, the judgment. She stiffened her spine and raised her chin. If she had to play this role, she was going to own it.

Inside, the ballroom shimmered, filled with high society’s elite Clara was making the rounds, greeting guests, but Valerie and Victor had their own jobs.

A waiter came by with flutes of champagne, and Valerie reached for one when Victor caught her with a hand on her wrist.

“Not tonight,” he murmured.

She raised a brow. “Now you’re policing my drinking?

Victor held a slight lean, his breath tickling her ear. “We have to maintain appearances.”

Her pulse picked up, but she wouldn’t let him know how much he got to her. “Fine,” she said, taking her hand away.

They waded through the throngs, exchanging pleasantries with investors and socialites. Valerie was falling into the character, quickly, the smile perfect, the words all the right ones. She even saw Victor look at her as if he was impressed.

But then came a moment she had dreaded all evening.

Clara stepped forward and spoke, her voice clear and warm for the crowd. “Tonight, it’s my great honor to introduce a very special person. Not only is she now part of our family, but she is someone who will be perpetuating the values of the Regal name. “Do put your hands together for, Mrs. Valerie Regal.”

The room erupted in cheers as all eyes fell on her.

Valerie’s heart pounded. She hadn’t prepared for this.

Victor’s hand slipped to her lower back. “You’ve got this,” he said quietly.

There was something in his voice, something not usual soft, that brought her the courage to step forward.

Her chest inflated with a deep breath as she walked up to the microphone. The faces in front of her blurred, but she concentrated on Clara’s reassuring smile, then on Victor, standing aside, arms crossed, studying her intently.

“Good evening, everyone,” she said, her voice strong despite the tempest inside. "Being part of this family is something I had never expected, and I have learned that expectations are meaningless when fate has a different plan for you.

She noticed that Victor’s lips twitched slightly, amused.

“The Regal family has forged a legacy not only through business but also through philanthropy and giving back to those in need,” she added. “I am grateful to be a part of this and support as best I can.

It was met by polite applause, and when she stepped back, Victor was there, his hand hovering beside hers before withdrawing at the last moment.

"Not bad," he murmured.

Valerie smirked. "Was that a compliment?"

Just before he could think of getting an answer from her, a very familiar face came up to her. Adrian Lockwood. The atmosphere between them changed in an instant.

“Valerie,” Adrian said smoothly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Victor’s expression darkened, but it was Valerie who spoke first. "Neither did I."

Adrian glanced between them, smirking. “So this is the infamous marriage, Interesting."

Victor took a purposeful step forward. “I didn’t realize we were hosting unwanted guests.”

Adrian chuckled. "Just an observer tonight. I always like to see the balance of power change.”

Valerie's fists tightened, resentments past gurgling up. But Victor surprised her.

He draped his arm around her waist, drawing her near in an uncommon public display of ownership. “Some things never change, Lockwood. They’re right where they’re supposed to be.”

Adrian's smirk faltered for half a second and he immediately seemed to compose himself, his facae losing its confidence for just long enough for Valerie to read it. He chuckled softly, lifting the cuff of his sleeve as though the moment hadn’t shaken him.

“Let’s see if that’s the case,” he said, before spinning around and melting into the crowd.

The moment he left, Valerie breathed a sigh she hadn’t known she was holding. The horror of the interaction crashed on her like a wave, and she was momentarily unsteady.

Victor’s hold on her arm loosened, but he didn’t release it completely. His eyes glittered at her, hard but unreadable.

"Are you alright?" he said, his voice dropping slightly.

The question surprised Valerie and she looked up at him. Sarcasm, some cutting comment about how she’d barely held her own. But there was none. No ridicule, no snickering — just silent curiosity.

She had hesitations about what to say. Lying felt pointless. And for the first time that night, she was honest.

“I don’t know,” she said, almost pleadingly.

Victor looked at her a moment more before finally loosening his grip. The heat of his palm was still on her flesh despite the distance between them.

All around them, the party went on — laughter, music, the sounds of clinking glasses filling the grand hall. But in their tiny bubble, everything else seemed watered down.

They were still stuck with roles they had to play.” The perfect husband and wife. The power couple. The illusion.

But for one moment — just one moment — it no longer felt like a game.