I stood in front of the mirror staring at myself. I couldn’t take my eyes off my reflection. I was dressed in a long evening gown that was most likely the most elegant item of clothing I’d ever owned (not to mention, the most expensive). It was black, off-the-shoulder and fit like a glove. I’d never worn anything so close fitting so naturally, I was uncomfortable.

“Would you stop pulling at it?” Emmaline said for the second time in the past five minutes.

I gave her an annoyed look before saying, “Stop being so bossy.”

She laughed. “I’m just saying that you look great. Stop fussing with your dress.”

I couldn’t help but not take her advice as I attempted to hike the top part of the dress further up. I felt the dress didn’t do enough to keep my important parts hidden, but what did I know? Emmaline was right. I looked pretty darn good.

“Do you think this bust line is way too low?”

“Nope. Your boobs are supposed to look like they’re about to spill out.”

I frowned, “Really? That’s a good look?”

“Trust me. I might not be very fashionable, but I know fashion.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t make any sense,” I said, mostly to myself because Emmaline was looking down at her phone.

“Hey, a little attention here.”

“Sorry,” she said, burying her phone under a pillow.

“Were you texting someone?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“What? No! That was no one.”

I could hear her phone beeping incessantly under her pillow.

“Go ahead and get it.”

She bit her lip as if deciding whether to keep playing coy, decided against it and dove for her phone. I watched her smile spread from ear to ear as she read the text messages. Whatever was being said, she was apparently happy to hear it.

Her daughter, Theodora, came running in and gushed at the sight of me.

“Auntie Lacey you look sooooooooo beautiful.”

“Thank you so much,” I beamed. I’d let my hair grow out over the months and it was now hanging down around my shoulders. I had to get used to the longer length which seemed to frame my face perfectly. Emmaline had let me borrow her shoes and had helped me with my makeup. The result was stunning. The sexy dark red color made my lips look pouty and inviting. And my eye makeup gave me a hint of mystery. I was like a new woman. Glamorous, mysterious, and oh so nervous about tonight.

“You’re going to be the most beautiful woman at the ball.”

I laughed. “You think so, Dora?”

“I know so. Jude is going to freak when he sees you.”

I secretly hoped she was right. I wanted Jude’s attention more than anything tonight. It had been three weeks since the incident in his office and we’d continued our lives as if nothing had happened.

We didn’t talk about it. We didn’t repeat it. And to my disappointment, Jude had kept his distance. He worked late and came home even later. I rarely saw him anymore. He wasn‘t cold towards me, just distant. Gone was the flirtatious banter and furtive, meaningful looks when he thought I wouldn’t notice. We never again snuggled on the couch or went anywhere together. We were living two different lives under one roof and although it had been both our ideas to make the charade work, I couldn’t help but feel a little resentful that it all was a charade. I would never admit it out loud, but I wanted more from Jude.

I’d decided to go to Emmaline’s to get dressed because I had no idea what to wear and I needed help with my makeup for the evening. Misha was busy at a convention, but she’d wished me good luck. She adored Jude and I think she knew how I really felt about him. Which was funny, because I wasn’t even sure how I felt about Jude.

Speaking of which, I’d given Jude Emmaline’s address and I had to admit, I was nervous as I waited for him to arrive. I wondered how he’d react. I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling different. I didn’t think I’d ever find myself in this predicament. I didn’t feel like myself and emotionally I didn’t know what I wanted. I was the decisive type, but my feelings for Jude made me second-guess myself, which made me feel vulnerable. I hated feeling like that.

A knock sounded at the door and I listened intently. It didn’t take long for me to hear the sound of his voice and I instantly smiled at it.

I made my way towards him, nervously tugging at the bust line of my dress. He was turned away from me, so he couldn’t hear me as I approached.

He was in a serious conversation with Theodora about something. She was animated as she spoke to him and laughed at something he said before spotting me. She smiled in my direction and Jude turned towards me.

“You look beautiful,” were his first words to me as he stood slowly and I finally got a good look at him. He was wearing a tuxedo that made him look powerful and untouchable. I gulped hard. This man was so out of my league. What was I thinking?

But apparently, he thought otherwise as he quickly moved towards me and took me by my hand. His brown eyes examined me from head to toe. And he twirled me in a circle, making me giggle. He made me feel young, beautiful, and carefree. I loved that feeling when I was around him. It was like I had the old Jude back tonight. I smiled in relief.

He let out a low whistle and I heard Theodora giggle.

I blushed, saying, “Well, I think we should head on out.”

“See you later, Lacey,” Theodora called out.

“Have fun, Lacey!” Emmaline called and then she winked at me and made a face that made me blush.

I was surprised to see the limousine waiting for us out front. He took my hand in the limo and said once again how beautiful I looked. I expected him to kiss me, but to my surprise, he didn’t even try.

I felt dejected, but told myself to not think too much of it. To my surprise, he held my hand the entire time, staring out the window and not saying anything.

The silence became maddening and I felt the need to say something, anything. “Are you not going to talk to me the entire night?”

He looked at me sharply, as if taken aback by my blunt words. He smiled at me, but his eyes were guarded. He touched my face gently.

“I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind. This ball always makes me a little nostalgic.”

I instantly felt bad for making this night all about me. Of course he was sad. This whole evening probably reminded him of his mother.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I just wish—” he laughed humorlessly. “Never mind.”

“No,” I urged him. “Tell me. What is it that you wish?”

“Another time,” he said as the car pulled up. “We’re here.”

He got out first and extended me his hand. As he helped me out of the car, cameras flashed in all directions and I wasn’t prepared for them. I instantly attempted to hide my face, grabbing Jude’s hand and practically forcing him along.

He laughed and said, “How do you walk so quickly in those heels?”

“Years of being a girl come in handy.”

We climbed the stairs that led to the stately library and entered a small room that bore Ophelia’s name.

The room was lined with books and I realized the room led to an even bigger hall. Oliver warmly greeted us, but then he was swept away by a group of distinguished-looking men around his age.

When he was gone, Jude looked around and said softly, “This was my mother’s favorite room. She spent so much time here that I had them dedicate it to her after she passed.” He gestured towards a small table. “I would sit across from her scribbling my letters. Drawing pictures.”

I could easily imagine him as a little boy. And his mind seemed to be recalling the image as well as he stared at the desk, before reluctantly looking away. “Enough about me. Let me introduce you to some of mom’s friends.”

We spent the rest of the night hearing stories about his mom from nearly everyone who greeted us. She was much loved and missed, that was certainly clear. Despite everyone being very welcoming and nice, I was feeling overwhelmed. The photographers, the people, the opulence of it all, mixed with my unclear feelings toward Jude, was starting to wear on me and I could feel tension forming in my shoulders.

I excused myself and found my way to a balcony. I was enjoying the air, wondering what to do next. How could I start a conversation with Jude about how I felt? I needn’t have worried because I was so occupied with my own thoughts that I didn’t hear him when he joined me on the balcony.

He placed a hand on my lower back and said softly, “Mind if I join you?”

“I wish you could have met her. She would have liked you.” He said without waiting for me to answer his earlier question.

I smiled. “Do you like me?”

“I more than like you, Mrs. Foster, but I’m sure you already know that.”

“You’re just saying that.”

He kissed me then, catching me off-guard. I pressed against him, unable to get enough. I needed him. The feel of him. The smell of him. My body yearned for him as much as my heart. I had fallen in love with Jude. Love. That was what I felt.

And before I could second-guess myself, I spoke the words, “I love you, Jude.”

He didn’t sound surprised nor did he hesitate, responding simply with, “Not as much as I love you.”

My heart was pounding and I couldn’t even take a breath and then I heard Oliver call his name before he peaked out and found us.

“Hi, lovebirds, sorry to interrupt, but I need to borrow you for a little bit.”

Jude kissed my cheek and disappeared with his father.

I watched him go, feeling elated. I wanted to sing, jump in the air and cheer. I was in love. He loved me back.

I meandered over to the other side of the balcony, looking out over the gardens when I heard voices near me. There were a group of ladies standing with their backs towards me, talking rather loudly. I assumed they had too much to drink and with amusement, I did a little eavesdropping.

“So what do you think? Is she just after his money?”

Oh, this is juicy, I thought to myself leaning in a bit to catch the other person’s response.

“Clearly,” said the other woman.

“Definitely a rags to riches story. I heard she’s originally from the South, broke, no parents, raised by her aunt. She’s lucky she hit the jackpot.”

My shoulders tensed. They were talking about me.

“More like she won the lottery. She must have been so excited. From trailer park to a mansion. Lucky girl.”

“I don’t know,” one of the ladies laughed cruelly. “Can you really picture Jude falling for a woman like her? I mean, consider the girls he’s dated in the past. He’s never had any interest in white trash before. If anything, out of desperation, Oliver probably planned the whole thing and threatened Jude with losing his inheritance if he didn’t comply. You know how much he wanted to control Jude’s life.”

“I heard Oliver isn’t even dying,” said another, and the others nodded in agreement. “He has both those young folks doing his bidding and it’s all based on a lie.”

At least she didn’t call me trailer trash, she just felt sorry for me, I thought to myself, but I didn’t know what stung more.

“We all know it’s not a real marriage,” said the cruel one again. “He’s the city’s most eligible bachelor and he marries her? It was a matter of convenience arranged by Oliver who knew that girl wouldn’t walk away from millions. And he knew that Jude wouldn’t let her. He’s just a broke, ex-athlete. He needs his daddy’s money.”

The old ladies nodded in agreement and I backed away, not knowing I was crying until I felt the tears slipping down my cheeks.

So that’s what they thought of me? They thought I was trailer trash. They thought that I was able to be bought. And then my anger dissipated. Isn’t that exactly what happened? Didn’t I agree to this farce of a relationship for money? They were right. I was just as much at fault as Oliver. And maybe he had planned all of this, but I’d been a willing accomplice.

I knew what I had to do. I made my way outside, walking past the confused faces of Oliver and Jude.

Jude caught up with me easily.

“Hey, where are you going so fast?”

“Out of here.”

“So soon? And without me? I’m pretty sure we came together.”

I said nothing. I couldn’t speak right then. I was too upset.

He grabbed my arm, stopping me. “What’s wrong, Lacey?”

I began to cry. “All of this. This whole scam of a marriage. Us. We’re what’s wrong. I don’t know who’s conning who.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just how convenient was it that your dad would send me to Vegas and you would come along? How convenient that he was dying.”

“You’re trying to say my dad planned all of this? That he’s faking his own impending doom?” He scoffed, “Tell me you don’t actually believe that, Lacey.”

"I don’t know what I believe,” I said. “I just know I can’t continue with this farce anymore.”

“Farce? What I feel for you isn’t a farce.”

“Really, Jude? Is that what you really believe? Because you weren’t even interested in me before all this—before this stupid ruse.”

“That’s not true—”

“Don’t lie. Seriously, don’t do this.” He grabbed my arm stopping me from moving. “Listen to me, Lacey.”

“No! I’m tired of this charade. I want out, ok.”

“But Lacey, I need you—“

“I’m sorry about leaving Ophelia’s Angels in a bind, but I’m sure you’ll find a way to raise enough money to keep it going.”

“This isn’t about that—”

I was done listening. “I can’t do this.”

I stuck my hand out and flagged a taxi.

One stopped for me immediately and I climbed in.

I didn’t make eye contact with Jude and as I slid into the taxi; I knew I was never going to see him again. Despite myself, I couldn’t stop from looking behind me. I saw him standing there just staring after me.

I hated the way I felt at that moment. With a heavy heart, I began to sob.