Chapter 2The Magician Who Stole Reality

Before I could demand to know who he was, the doctor gave a polite nod and vanished into the throng of people entering the theater. Ben was already pulling me toward the doors.

"Can you make it, honey? If it’s too much, I’ll take you home. Seriously."

"I... I’m okay," I lied, forcing my feet to move. "The doctor was right. I’m feeling better already."

We were minutes away from the curtain call. I was out of excuses. I had to go in, but I promised myself this: I would not let him out of my sight. I would keep him off that stage. I would make sure everyone in that building knew we were together.

We found our seats. Ben was buzzing with excitement, his eyes fixed on the velvet curtains. I sat beside him, my fingers tracing the small velvet box in my pocket.

Inside was a ring.

In my previous life, I’d planned to propose to him after the show. It was supposed to be a surprise, a grand gesture to celebrate our five years. I never got to give it to him.

But now, I realized I needed a witness. I needed a spectacle. If I proposed now, in front of a thousand people, they couldn't pretend he didn't exist.

I turned to the girl sitting on my other side—a young woman in a white dress. "Hi there, sorry to bother you," I whispered. "But my boyfriend is a huge fan of Victor Blackwood, and this is a big night for us. Would you mind taking a photo of us?"

She looked at Ben, then at me, and nodded with a smile. "Of course."

I pulled Ben close, ignoring his confusion as the flash went off. The moment was captured. Digital proof.

But I wasn't done. I stood up, feeling the eyes of the rows behind us shift. I dropped to one knee in the narrow aisle.

Ben stared at me, his mouth hanging open. "Cass? What are you doing?"

I spoke loudly, my voice carrying over the pre-show chatter. "Ben Montgomery, I love you. I don't ever want to be without you. Will you marry me?"

I wanted people to look. I wanted them to stare. And they did. The surrounding rows went silent, then erupted into whispers. Ben’s face turned a deep, embarrassed crimson.

"Cass... yes. Yes, of course."

He pulled me up and slid the ring onto my finger. Cameras flashed around us. Strangers cheered. I leaned into him, my eyes scanning the crowd. Remember us, I thought fiercely. Remember his face.

The girl in the white dress handed my phone back. The photo was perfect—us, glowing, the ring visible on my hand.

When the show finally started, Victor Blackwood himself acknowledged us. "I hear we have a newly engaged couple in the house tonight! Let’s hear it for them!"

The spotlight hit us. Our faces appeared on the giant screens flanking the stage. I seized the moment and kissed Ben, long and hard, making sure everyone saw.

I felt a surge of triumph. There was no way they could deny him now. Thousands of people were witnesses to our love. Nothing could go wrong.

"Cass?"

I turned back to Ben. The joyful, embarrassed man from a moment ago was gone. He was staring at me with a cold, expressionless gaze.

"Is there something you aren't telling me?"