Bound by Fate (Bound Duology Book#2)

The Unraveling

The days that followed felt like a strange, tense balancing act. Calista kept up the appearance of the dutiful fiancée, attending family gatherings and parties with Matteo, playing her role perfectly. But inside, she felt like she was walking on a tightrope, suspended over something she didn't dare name.

Despite her best efforts to keep him at arm's length, Matteo had wormed his way into her thoughts. He seemed to be everywhere—appearing at her family's dinners, joining her for late-night strolls at events, always lingering close enough to remind her of the tension simmering between them. Every encounter only seemed to strengthen the connection they were supposed to be pretending, and she hated how much her heart betrayed her with each lingering look, each whispered tease.

Then, one evening, Matteo invited her to his family's country estate for the weekend—a retreat his parents had planned to celebrate the engagement with close friends. Calista's stomach twisted at the thought, but she couldn't refuse. If they were going to sell this act, she had to keep playing along. So she packed her things, steeling herself for whatever this weekend would bring.

---

The estate was stunning, sprawling over acres of lush greenery with rose gardens and a lake glistening under the afternoon sun. But Calista barely noticed, her focus too firmly on the boy standing by the grand doors, watching her as she arrived.

Matteo's parents greeted her warmly, showering her with praise for how "wonderfully she and Matteo complemented each other." The flattery made her skin crawl, but she forced a polite smile, allowing Matteo to take her hand and lead her away from his family's watchful gaze.

As soon as they were alone, she yanked her hand back, her glare icy. "You really enjoy this, don't you? Making them believe this... this *fairy tale*?"

His smirk was back in place, though his eyes held a flicker of something she couldn't quite read. "It's not my fault I'm such a convincing actor," he replied, leaning casually against a marble column. "Besides, you're not exactly protesting. Could it be you're actually... enjoying yourself?"

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

A low laugh escaped him, his gaze dropping to her lips just briefly before he met her eyes again. "You're so determined to hate this, aren't you?"

"Yes," she said sharply, though her voice wavered. "I can't wait until this charade is over."

He tilted his head, studying her. "Well, you're in luck. The weekend is our chance to make this whole thing so annoyingly perfect that they can't stand it. Just like we planned."

She wanted to believe him, to cling to the plan they'd made in the beginning. But his gaze, his touch, everything about him made her feel as though the lines were shifting, blurring beyond her control.

"Fine," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "Let's get through this weekend."

He nodded, extending his arm, and she reluctantly took it. As they walked into the gathering area where their friends and family had already started mingling, she braced herself for what would undoubtedly be a long weekend.

---

That night, dinner was a formal affair. Everyone was dressed to the nines, seated at a long, elegant table under chandeliers casting a soft glow across the room. Calista and Matteo were seated at the head of the table, positioned like a royal couple for all to see.

As the evening wore on, Matteo kept up his perfect performance—holding her hand, laughing at her jokes, even brushing a strand of hair back from her face with a tenderness that set her nerves ablaze. It was infuriating how well he played his part. And even more infuriating that, for brief moments, she found herself wanting to believe it.