same league. Ethan smiled with surprising calm.

Silence fell between the four of them.

Because the Mitchell Group was one of the largest conglomerates in the country.

Hotels.

Banks.

Technology.

Billions.

Rebecca looked at me as if she were suddenly seeing me for the first time.

—Amelia… you and Ethan…?

Ethan gently wrapped his arms around my waist.

-Yeah.

—We’re together.

The change was immediate.

Rebecca’s smile became exaggeratedly friendly.

-How wonderful!

—Why didn’t you tell me?

I didn’t answer.

Because the truth was that I didn’t even understand what was happening.

But Ethan seemed to be enjoying the situation.

« Amelia is very modest, » he said.

Miguel laughed nervously.

—Well… any friend of Amelia’s is welcome here.

Rebecca touched my arm.

—You should sit at the main table with us.

I knew why.

It wasn’t out of friendship.

It was because of Ethan.

And for the first time all night… I felt something different.

No sadness.

No shame.

Clarity.

I gently withdrew my arm.

« No, thank you, » I said calmly. « I’m fine here. »

Rebecca seemed bewildered.

-But…

-Really.

She nodded stiffly and walked away with Miguel.

When they left, Ethan looked at me curiously.

—You could have accepted.

-I know.

—Then why didn’t you do it?

I looked around the living room.

The lights.

The tables.

The people who used to ignore me.

« Because I don’t want to be treated well because of who they think I am, » I said. « I prefer to be treated as always. »

Ethan watched me silently.

Then he smiled.

—Do you know something, Amelia?

-That?

—I think that tonight, pretending you’re my girlfriend… was the most interesting lie of my life.

I laughed softly.

—Just remember that it’s still a lie.

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

-Maybe.

He paused.

—Or maybe tonight is just getting started.