THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 405: We’ll Be The Perfect Couple

Now that he knows he’s an orphan and that his life is still at risk, he’ll have no need to want to leave the safe sanctuary of her home.

"Guess what sweetheart, I have good news for us," Dolly announced happily even though Steffan had not responded to any of her greetings.

Although not interested in whatever lie Dolly had cooked up in advance, Steffan still turned his blank expression in her direction.

"They caught the hoodlums your uncle sent after you and in no time, they’ll make them confess and your olincle will finally be exposed and punished for what he did.

Steffan’s feigned interest and allowed a faint glint to appear in his eyes. "Really?"

"Yes, my darling. And guess what? We can then hold our wedding publicly without any fear of him coming after you," Dolly rattled away.

"Didn’t you say we were already married?" Steadfast asked, frowning as if he was seriously confused.

He couldn’t believe wait to hear what lie she would come up with.

"Em... we... yes, sweetheart, we are married, but... it was a secret wedding and that’s why we don’t have any wedding photos. Remember?" She said and snarled her forehead almost immediately, Oh forgive me, I forgot you can’t remember a thing.

As soon as she got a grip on the lie she started prattling away that Steffan instantly had a headache.

"But not to worry. After the wedding I’ll take you out and brag about you to all my friend and everyone that cared to know that I’m married to such a handsome and perfect man," Dolly continued.

Steffan fought the urge to roll his eyes, his fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the table. Dolly’s voice was a relentless buzz in the background, each word grating on his nerves. He reminded himself to stay calm, to play along with her twisted narrative.

"How wonderful," he replied flatly, forcing a faint smile that barely reached his eyes. "A public wedding. Just what I’ve always wanted."

Dolly’s face lit up, missing—or perhaps choosing to ignore—the sarcasm dripping from his words. "Yes, darling! We’ll have everything—flowers, music, a grand venue. And of course, I’ll wear the most beautiful gown. You’ll be so proud of me."

Steffan nodded absently, feigning enthusiasm. "It sounds... perfect."

Dolly leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "And once your uncle is exposed, we’ll finally be free of all this danger. No more hiding. We can live our lives as we were meant to. Doesn’t that sound amazing?"

"Yes," Steffan said, his voice flat. "Amazing."

The way she paraded her delusions as though they were truths made his skin crawl. Dolly was weaving an elaborate web of lies, and it was clear she was tangled in it herself. The fantasy she spun around them was just another layer of her deceit, designed to keep him compliant, contained.

Steffan’s mind raced, each of Dolly’s words pushing him further away from the present moment.

He thought of Lauren...her warmth, her genuine smile, everything real and true that he was fighting to get back to.

He didn’t care about weddings, secrets, or pretenses. He just wanted this nightmare to end.

Perhaps it was the idea of a wedding or the guilt he felt for not satisfying her last nightc Dolly realized that Steffan was more responsive than he had been in the two months they’ve been together.

Why didn’t she come up with this before. By now she was sure Steffan would have been lost in the warmth of her love and probably gotten her pregnant.

With this understanding, Dolly let loose the tap and continued talking, her voice high-pitched and filled with excitement.

"We’ll be the perfect couple, you’ll see. And everyone will envy us. No more secrets, no more threats. Just you and me, Steffan, against the world."

Steffan bit back the bile rising in his throat, wondering which world she was up against... It was most likely Lauren or his family?

"Yes, just you and me," he repeated and realized that even the word tasted bitter on his tongue.

He watched Dolly bask in her self-made glory, her delusions blinding her to the simmering anger behind his calm facade.

She leaned in closer, her hand reaching out to touch his. Steffan flinched imperceptibly, every fiber of his being recoiling from her touch. But he didn’t pull away, not yet.

There was still a game to play, and for now, he was willing to pay the price.

"Thank you for being so patient with me," Dolly said softly, her eyes searching his for any sign of reciprocation. "I know it’s been hard, but soon we’ll have everything we’ve ever dreamed of."

Steffan forced another smile, his lips twitching with the effort. "Soon," he echoed, his tone distant and calculating.

’Soon I’ll put an end to all these chaninighans... Soon you will face your punishment... Soon you’ll be kept shut out in a place where you won’t be able to deceive or harm any innocent soul like Lauren or blind and foolish assholes like me,’ Steffan thought within himself.

He allowed Dolly to hold his hand, if only to maintain the facade a little longer.

Dolly squeezed his hand tighter, her grip almost desperate. "I love you, Steffan. More than anything."

Steffan swallowed, his expression unchanging. "I know," he said quietly. "I know you do."

As she continued to plan their nonexistent future, Steffan’s mind drifted once more to his brother’s words. "Stay focused. Remember why you’re doing this," he had said.

He glanced at Dolly, her smile wide and oblivious, and steeled himself.

"I’m hungry," he said when he could no longer endure her persistent hike in his hand. She seemed to have forgotten about everything else and was lost in the pleasure he got from just holding in to him.

So before she would come up with something more torturing, he had to distract her.

"Yeah, of course sweetheart. Let me quickly prepare something for us. What would you like to have?" She asked.

And instead of the nonchalant anything Steffan would always come up with, this time around he came up with a complicated dish that would take Dolly all evening to prepare. He was sure by the time she was done, she would be too tired to think of having any funny ideas about him.

Also, he had learnt that it was pretty hectic at the hospital today and Dolly barely had time to grab lunch.

Steffan watched as Dolly’s expression shifted, her enthusiasm briefly faltering at his unexpected request. But she quickly masked it with a bright smile, determined not to lose the momentum she thought she had gained.

"Sure, anything for you, sweetheart," she said, her voice cheerful but strained at the edges. "Just give me a moment, and I’ll whip it up."

Steffan nodded, feigning appreciation. "Great. I’d like a three-course meal. Start with the shrimp bisque, then the lamb shank with rosemary and garlic mashed potatoes, and for dessert, maybe a lemon soufflé."

Dolly blinked, clearly taken aback by the complexity of his order. Her enthusiasm dimmed for a split second before she plastered on a wide, determined smile. "Of course, darling. That sounds... wonderful. I’ll get right on it."