Chapter 2: The Exhibition of Lies

Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Blackthorn Castle, but it did nothing to warm the coldness that had settled inside my heart.

For five years, waking beside Alistair had been the happiest part of my day. I used to watch him sleep, fascinated that someone so powerful could look so peaceful. This morning, I couldn't bear to look at him for more than a second.

The man lying beside me had built an entire kingdom of lies around my heart.

He stirred gently and reached for me instinctively.

"Good morning, my love," he whispered, kissing my forehead.

I forced myself to smile.

"Good morning."

"Today's your exhibition."

His crimson eyes sparkled with excitement. "I've invited every royal family across the supernatural realm. Witches, vampires, elves, even the fae king accepted my invitation. Tonight belongs to you."

I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat.

"Thank you."

"You deserve the world, Selena."

If only those words were true.

He caressed my cheek before disappearing into his dressing room to prepare for the day.

The moment the door closed, I let out a shaky breath.

"How much longer can we keep pretending?" I whispered to myself.

Only two days.

I only needed to survive two more days before disappearing forever.

An hour later, the castle buzzed with activity.

Servants hurried through the corridors carrying flower arrangements, expensive wine, enchanted crystals, and priceless works of art.

Everyone smiled at me.

Everyone believed I was the happiest woman alive.

"Lady Selena," one maid said cheerfully. "The exhibition hall is breathtaking. His Highness personally supervised every detail."

"Did he?"

"Yes. He barely slept these past few nights."

I thanked her softly and continued walking.

Once, those words would have filled me with warmth.

Now they only reminded me how perfectly Alistair performed the role of a devoted husband.

The exhibition was held inside the Moonlight Gallery, a magnificent glass palace overlooking the northern cliffs.

It had been built solely to display my artwork.

Or so I had believed.

When I entered the gallery, nobles from every kingdom were already arriving.

Elegant vampires dressed in black silk.

Elven ambassadors wearing silver robes.

Werewolf alphas standing proudly beside their mates.

The room shimmered with magic.

Paintings floated gently above crystal pedestals while enchanted lights recreated the sunrise inside the hall.

"Lady Selena!"

Several guests approached to congratulate me.

"Your work has inspired artists throughout the continent."

"I've dreamed of seeing your newest masterpiece."

"The Prince truly treasures your talent."

I smiled politely at each compliment.

If only they knew the truth.

Suddenly, whispers spread through the crowd.

"Prince Alistair has arrived."

Every conversation stopped.

Alistair entered wearing a midnight-blue royal uniform embroidered with silver thread.

Even after five years together, his beauty remained breathtaking.

His eyes searched the room until they found me.

The moment they did, his expression softened.

As though I were the only person who mattered.

He crossed the hall in long, graceful strides.

"There you are," he murmured.

"I've been looking for you."

Without caring that hundreds of nobles watched us, he gently kissed my hand.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you."

"Nervous?"

"A little."

"Don't be."

He leaned close enough for only me to hear.

"No matter what happens today, I'll always stand beside you."

The irony almost made me laugh.

Instead, I simply nodded.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Alistair announced loudly.

"Today we celebrate not merely an artist, but the woman who transformed my eternal life."

The audience applauded enthusiastically.

"Five centuries I wandered this world believing immortality was a blessing."

"Then I met Selena."

"She taught me eternity means nothing without someone to share it with."

Thunderous applause echoed through the gallery.

Several noblewomen wiped tears from their eyes.

Even I almost believed him.

Almost.

The exhibition officially began.

Guests wandered from painting to painting, admiring landscapes, magical creatures, and enchanted portraits.

My final masterpiece stood hidden beneath a velvet curtain.

"First Light in an Endless Night."

It was the painting I had spent nearly two years creating.

Only Alistair and I possessed keys to the protected studio where it had been painted.

Or so I had believed until last night.

"Would you unveil it?" Alistair asked warmly.

I stepped toward the curtain.

Hundreds of eyes watched expectantly.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled the fabric away.

Gasps filled the room.

The enormous canvas shimmered with living magic.

Moonlight danced across painted rivers while stars moved gently across the enchanted sky.

"Magnificent..." someone whispered.

"A masterpiece."

"Truly worthy of royal recognition."

For a brief moment, I forgot everything else.

Creating art had always been the one place where my heart found peace.

Then another voice shattered that peace.

"It's beautiful, isn't it, sister?"

I turned slowly.

Isabella.

She entered the gallery wearing an elegant silver gown.

Around her neck hung a necklace I had never seen before.

A necklace crafted from black diamonds.

My stomach tightened.

I recognized the design instantly.

I had once sketched that exact necklace in one of my journals.

Only one person had ever seen those sketches.

Alistair.

"Congratulations," Isabella said sweetly.

"Your exhibition is wonderful."

She stepped closer until she stood beside me.

"Although..."

She lowered her voice.

"Your protected studio was even more impressive than I imagined."

My pulse quickened.

"You enjoyed visiting it?"

"Very much."

She smiled knowingly.

"There were so many unfinished paintings."

"Such private thoughts."

"Thank you for sharing them with me."

My hands curled into fists.

She had been inside.

She wasn't bluffing.

Alistair truly had given her his key.

"Selena?"

Alistair appeared beside us.

"Is everything alright?"

"Perfectly," Isabella answered before I could speak.

"We were just talking about your wonderful surprise."

"I'm glad you like it," Alistair replied with a smile.

His answer wasn't meant for me.

It was directed at Isabella.

The realization hit me like another knife.

He didn't even notice.

Throughout the evening, I watched carefully.

Tiny details.

Tiny glances.

Tiny smiles.

Things I had ignored for years suddenly became impossible to overlook.

Whenever Isabella entered a room, Alistair's eyes found her almost instantly.

Whenever she laughed, he smiled unconsciously.

Whenever servants approached her, he subtly ensured she was comfortable.

None of it was obvious enough for others to notice.

But now that I knew where to look...

I couldn't stop seeing it.

Late that evening, as the celebration finally drew to a close, the royal painter approached me.

"Lady Selena," he said.

"His Highness asked me to deliver this to you."

He handed me an elegant invitation sealed with black wax.

I opened it slowly.

Tomorrow night.

Birthday celebration.

Location: The Silvermoon Garden.

Silvermoon flowers.

The same flowers capable of sending my body into violent allergic shock.

My hands trembled.

This wasn't my birthday party.

It never had been.

It was another gift prepared for Isabella.

Standing in the middle of the crowded gallery, surrounded by people who envied my perfect marriage, I finally understood one terrifying truth.

I had never been the heroine of my own love story.

I had merely been the woman standing between two people destined to choose each other.

And tomorrow...

I would begin writing an ending they would never expect.