Chapter 1: The Night That Shouldn’t Have Happened
The moment Elena stepped off the staircase, the entire room held its breath.
Gold shimmered under the chandelier lights, but her eyes… her eyes told a different story.
Fear.
Not the kind you show.
The kind you bury.
Across the hall, whispers spread like wildfire. This wasn’t just a celebration—it was a transaction disguised as elegance.
Then the doors burst open.
Rain-soaked, breath heavy, Victor Hale stood there—eyes locked onto Elena.
“Stop this,” he said.
The music died instantly.
May you like
And for the first time that night… Elena looked like she could breathe.
But someone else in the room smiled.
