The Ghost of Promises Past

Amelia's POV The white lie of our engagement had woven itself into the fabric of my new life like a silken web—beautiful, captivating, and utterly disorienting. Lucas played the part with maddening perfection: surprise bouquets at the office labeled "For my fiancée," whispered endearments during board meetings that left me flushed and fumbling numbers, family dinners where he'd weave tales of "our future" so convincingly even I half-believed them. Sam's booming toasts, Mom's eager wedding dress suggestions, my friends' excited planning texts—it blurred the lines of reality until they almost ceased to exist. Last night, over candlelit wine at his penthouse, his fingers had traced the placeholder ring on my hand, eyes dark with an unmistakable intent. "What if it's not fake anymore, Lia?" he'd murmured, his lips brushing mine, sending a jolt through me. My heart raced, confusion twisting with a desire I was finding harder and harder to deny. Was this the lie... or the truth I'd been chas