Chapter 3: The First Lie

Harper sat stiffly in the backseat of Nathan Blackwood’s sleek black town car, her fingers tightening around the engagement ring on her finger. It had been less than twenty-four hours since she’d signed the contract, and she was already regretting it.

Nathan sat beside her, looking impossibly calm, as if faking an entire relationship for six months was just another business deal. Maybe to him, it was.

“You’re nervous.” His deep voice cut through the silence.

“I’m fine,” Harper muttered, staring out the window at the city lights.

Nathan smirked. “You keep twisting your ring. A dead giveaway.”

Harper forced herself to stop, pressing her hands into her lap. “It’s just… I don’t like lying.”

“Then think of it as acting,” he suggested smoothly.

She shot him a glare. “You really have no problem with this, do you?”

Nathan turned slightly, resting his arm along the back of the seat. “I’ve spent my entire career negotiating, making people believe exactly what I want them to. This isn’t any different.”

“It is to me,” she muttered.

“Then you’d better start practicing,” Nathan said. “Because we’re about to tell our first lie.”

Harper’s stomach twisted. Tonight, they were attending a high-profile charity gala—one she normally wouldn’t have even been invited to. But now, as the fiancée of Nathan Blackwood, all eyes would be on her. The thought made her skin crawl.

“Just follow my lead,” Nathan continued. “Smile, nod when appropriate, and don’t look like you’re being held hostage.”

“Noted.”

The car pulled up to the grand entrance of the hotel, where cameras flashed as a line of black-tie guests arrived. Harper’s pulse quickened. It was one thing to agree to this arrangement behind closed doors; it was another to step into the spotlight and sell the lie to the entire world.

Nathan opened his door and stepped out, straightening his suit before turning back to her.

Harper inhaled sharply as she took his outstretched hand. His grip was firm, steady. She let him pull her from the car, but the second she stepped onto the carpet, she felt the weight of a hundred eyes on her.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Who is she? Is that Nathan Blackwood’s fiancée?

Nathan’s hand settled on the small of her back as he leaned down slightly. “Relax.”

Harper swallowed hard, forcing a smile as they walked up the carpeted steps. The flashes were blinding, but Nathan never hesitated. He was used to this. She wasn’t.

As they entered the ballroom, she let out a slow breath. The space was dazzling—gold chandeliers, a sea of glittering gowns, champagne glasses clinking as the city’s elite mingled.

Harper had attended her fair share of corporate events, but never anything like this.

“Mr. Blackwood.”

A deep voice pulled her attention to a distinguished older man approaching them. Harper recognized him immediately—James Sterling, one of Blackwood Enterprises’ largest investors.

“Nathan,” Sterling greeted, shaking his hand. His sharp eyes flickered to Harper. “And this must be your lovely fiancée.”

Harper barely had time to process before Nathan slid an arm around her waist. The touch was warm, firm—convincing.

“James, meet Harper Hayes,” Nathan said smoothly. “Harper, this is James Sterling.”

Harper extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

Sterling shook it, his gaze appraising. “I have to admit, this is a surprise. Nathan’s never been one for settling down.”

Harper forced a smile. “Some things change.”

Nathan’s grip on her waist tightened slightly, a silent reminder.

Sterling’s expression didn’t shift. “And how did you two meet?”

Harper’s heart stopped. She and Nathan hadn’t discussed this. She scrambled for something—anything—but Nathan spoke first.

“At a corporate function,” he said effortlessly. “Harper was consulting for a firm we were acquiring.”

Sterling nodded slowly. “Ah, business brought you together.”

Nathan’s smirk was almost imperceptible. “You could say that.”

Sterling studied them for a moment, his gaze lingering. “Well, congratulations. I look forward to the wedding.”

As he walked away, Harper exhaled sharply.

“I wasn’t prepared for that,” she hissed under her breath.

Nathan chuckled. “Get used to it. That was just the beginning.”

Harper’s stomach tightened.

For the next hour, they moved through the crowd, meeting board members, investors, and socialites—all eager to hear about the romantic story of Nathan Blackwood’s engagement.

Each time, the lie grew easier. Nathan had an answer for everything. How long they had been dating (a year), who proposed (Nathan, of course), and why they had kept it quiet (privacy, naturally).

Harper followed his lead, smiling, nodding, pretending like she belonged.

Then came the moment she dreaded most.

“Nathan!” A tall, stunning brunette appeared before them, her green eyes flashing with something unreadable. “I was hoping I’d run into you.”

Harper’s stomach dropped.

She knew who this was.

Charlotte Kensington. Nathan’s ex. The real love of his life, according to the tabloids.

Charlotte’s gaze slid to Harper, her lips curving in a sharp smile. “And you must be the fiancée.”

Nathan’s grip on Harper tightened slightly. “Charlotte.”

Harper forced herself to smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Charlotte’s eyes flickered with amusement. “I have to say, Nathan, you move fast.”

Harper’s nails dug into her palm.

Nathan’s voice was smooth as silk. “Some things are worth moving fast for.”

Harper barely had time to process before Nathan turned to her, his expression unreadable.

Then, suddenly—his lips were on hers.

The world tilted. The room faded.

Harper’s breath caught as Nathan kissed her, his hand firm on the small of her back, pulling her close. It was a calculated move, a performance for Charlotte and everyone watching.

But her body didn’t seem to care.

For a moment—just a split second—Harper forgot it was a lie.

Then Nathan pulled back, his gaze locking onto hers.

She struggled to steady herself, to ignore the way her heart pounded.

Charlotte’s smile didn’t falter, but Harper saw the flicker of something behind her eyes. “Well,” she said, voice light, “I suppose congratulations are in order.”

Harper forced herself to smile. “Thank you.”

Charlotte lingered for a moment before walking away.

The second she was gone, Harper turned to Nathan, her voice sharp. “What the hell was that?”

Nathan smirked, his thumb grazing her hip before he stepped back.

“Our first lie,” he murmured.

Harper’s pulse was still racing.

Something told her it wouldn’t be their last.