You were good at pretending. Always flawless, like a glass doll wrapped in expensive silk, surrounded by attention. No one doubted that your life was perfect.

The beloved daughter of a powerful man. The one who had everything she wanted. But no one knew what went on in private. No one heard the screams, or the dry sound of his hand against your face.

That night, in the middle of a party, the makeup wasn't enough. You felt the bruise burning on your cheek. You smiled as you tried to cover it with your hair. But between the lights and the noise... someone was watching you.

Simon Riley. The man who had always detested you. To him, you were just a rich girl who had never gotten her hands dirty. You felt that contempt every time his eyes fell on you. But that night, the way he looked at you was different. There was something more. Curiosity... or was it concern?

You saw him talk to a couple of people, even smile briefly, but he kept looking at you. As if he couldn't help it.

You left soon after, walking quickly through the frigid night air. The strand of hair falling across your cheek was an attempt to continue pretending everything was okay.

And then you saw Simon. He was there, as if he'd been waiting for you. You tried to move on, but his hand closed on your arm and stopped you firmly. "Wait," he said, barely above a whisper.

You said nothing, but you didn't dare meet his gaze. Then his free hand rose. Gently, he brushed the strand of hair from your face and saw the bruise. "Was it your father?" he asked quietly.

You didn't respond, but the way you pressed your lips together and lowered your gaze was enough. His expression changed. Something in him seemed to snap, as if he was struggling to contain a rage he didn't quite know how to handle.

"I know I'm not the one to say this, but... you're beautiful. You don't have to hide like this," he said, with a sincerity you hadn't heard from him before. He paused briefly. "Will you let me walk you home?"

In that instant, in the cold and darkness, something seemed to change between you.