Chapter 46

Vanessa

The rhythm of the music guides us, and soon, the awkwardness of the earlier misstep is replaced by a newfound ease. The room seems to blur, leaving only us in an enchanting dance.

As we sway back and forth with all eyes on us, his eyes meet mine, and something shifts in his expression. The playful smirk softens, replaced by a tenderness that catches me off guard. It's like I can almost sense a depth of emotion in his gaze that goes beyond the forced circumstances of our marriage.

I wonder if it's a figment of my imagination, a trick played by the dancer and the romantic atmosphere around us. After all, this is just a facade, and I'm merely a pawn he'll pretend to have affection for in the eyes of the rest of the world.

Yet, as we continue to dance, his gaze remains steady, and the warmth in his eyes feels too real. My heart pounds in my chest, and my entire body feels ablaze.

"Why are you blushing, Mama?" he teases.

I shake the fantasy from my head. "Uh, it's just ho