Bound by lies Trapped by Desire novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Elena’s POV:

It looked like water.

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No. That wasn’t right.

It looked like water enchanted by moonlight–fluid, glimmering, almost unreal. The way the light hit it made it shimmer like the surface of a still lake caught in a sunrise. The tea–green liquid organza cascaded down my body, clinging in the right places, flowing freely in the rest. I turned slightly, watching how the hem of the gown rippled behind me like trailing mist.

And it felt like clouds.

Feathery, sheer, ridiculously light. Every time I moved, it was as if I might drift away. The air swirled beneath the gown as though the fabric itself was floating.

What the hell was this?

Why did I look like a damn elf?

I turned back to the mirror with a mix of disbelief and awe. Alex stood behind me, grinning like the artist he was–wildly proud of his work.

He’d gone all out.

Somehow, he’d taken my natural ears and added a set of delicate silver cuffs, their curling metal tips giving the illusion of pointed ears. The detailing was so intricate it looked like something plucked from a fantasy film–etched swirls of silver wrapped around the curve of my lobes, catching the light.

My hair had been straightened until it fell like an obsidian waterfall down my back. The bangs were trimmed and curled in just the right way to frame my face, drawing attention to my eyes. And then he’d done something I never could’ve expected.

Streaks of silver. Not overwhelming, just hints. Shimmering strands that caught the light and gave my black hair the appearance of a star–dusted night sky. A literal galaxy.

And on top of all that–a silver flower crown, dainty blossoms adorned with tiny green crystals, perched delicately on my head like it had grown there. The crystals brought out the green in my mossy eyes, somehow deepening their shade.

“I love it,” I admitted, blinking at my reflection. “But… isn’t this too much? I look like I’m heading to a costume party.”

Alex let out a musical laugh, arms crossed and lips curved in pure satisfaction. “Darling, you haven’t been to the gala yet. Trust me, there will be people showing up looking like they’ve tumbled out of a Renaissance ball, a sci–fi opera, and a forest nymph convention all at once. You? You look perfect.”

“Oh my gosh…” I turned and met my mom’s gaze as she sat teary–eyed on the sofa. “Very beautiful too,” she sniffled, smiling proudly.

Oh dear god.

“Mom, don’t cry” I laughed, rushing over and giving her a careful hug to avoid crushing my crown. “You’re going to make me cry then. I might mess up my mascara.”

She patted my cheek affectionately and squeezed my hand. “I just can’t believe how stunning you look. Your father would’ve been so proud.”

The sudden twist in my chest at her words caught me off guard. I forced a smile, blinking rapidly.

“Alright,” Alex interrupted gently, sensing the shift in mood. “Last touch. Gloves.”

I glanced down as he handed me a pair of matching organza gloves, tea green with silver detailing along the wrist. I slid them on slowly, smoothing them over my arms, feeling like some sort of enchanted royal from a realm I didn’t belong to.

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Chapter 68

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

“My pleasure,” he replied, then paused. “By the way I heard about the accident. How are you feeling?”

I blinked. “Uh… better. Still sore in some places. But I’m healing.”

He frowned, genuine concern flitting across his face. “It must’ve been awful. We were all shocked. And… well, all sorts of rumors started flying around.”

That caught my attention. “What kind of rumors?”

Alex waved a hand dramatically, like he was dismissing a cloud of perfume. “Nothing too serious. Just that someone from the mafia showed up at the office the day after the accident. Hot gossip, you know? Apparently, the boss has been super agitated ever since.”

My brows shot up. “The mafia?”

He nodded. “No clue what actually happened. But you know how it is. Whispers become stories, and stories become headlines. Still–tense vibes at HQ.”

“You work at Nikolai’s office?”

He laughed. “Oh god, no. My studio’s in another branch. But since the staff shuffle three years ago, we’ve gotten pretty close. Everyone knows everyone now. Especially in the design division. Fashion people talk.”

My phone buzzed just then, and I excused myself to answer.

Nikolai.

“Hey,” I said softly.

His voice was gentle. “I’ll meet you at the venue, alright? Driver will be there soon.”

I swallowed my disappointment. “Okay. I’ll see you there.”

Was it silly to hope he’d come pick me up himself? Probably. He was busy. Always was. I tried not to let it bother me.

Once everything was done, and I was assured I looked like a celestial elf princess–Alex’s words, not mine–I gave my mom a final hug.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” I asked her.

She smiled warmly. “I’ll be fine. Go dazzle the world, sweetheart.”

Moments later, the honk outside had Alex rushing to help me down the porch steps, carefully guiding the trailing hem of my gown.

“Thanks again, Alex,” I said, hugging him.

*Own the night,” he whispered. “And don’t let people’s ludicrous gossip get to you.”

I smiled, then nodded.

I stepped into the SUV and settled against the seat as the driver pulled out of the driveway. The sky was already shifting into twilight, the blue bleeding into inky purple. By the time we arrived at the venue, the darkness had fully descended, and the building before me glowed like a jewel.

The Gala was being held in the Orlovsky Art Hallan expansive, modern structure with walls of glass and sleek concrete arches. The entrance was lined with towering marble columns draped in shimmering light curtains.

But before I could even open the door, someone knocked on the window beside me.

Ijumped, heart thudding.

Iturned–and there he was.

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13:17 Fri, 25 Jul G G

Chapter 68

Nikolai.

One hand raised in greeting. He looked unreal in a dark green coat paired with perfectly tailored slacks and a beige turtleneck. His hair was styled immaculately, not a single strand out of place.

1 opened the door. He slipped inside beside me and shut it with a quiet click.

“Why did you close the door?” I asked, surprised.

He exhaled, a flicker of tension in his eyes. “We might want to talk before going out there.”

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