♡ Chapter 1.3 ♡

It was late afternoon when Charlotte burst into Jade's room, her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Jade! Get up! I have the best news!"

Jade, who had been curled up with a book, looked up, arching a brow. "Are we getting free cake?"

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "No, even better! Some of our old friends found out you're back, and they're throwing a party tomorrow night at Luxe Bar. It's going to be huge!"

Jade's smile faltered. "A party?"

Charlotte plopped onto the bed beside her, nodding eagerly. "Yes! You know, drinks, music, dancing—it's been years since we've all hung out. And you need this, Jade. You've been locked in this house like a grandma."

Jade let out a soft laugh, but her mind was already racing.

A party meant seeing old faces. It meant seeing him.

She swallowed. "I don't know, Charlotte…"

"Oh, come on!" Charlotte whined, grabbing Jade's hands dramatically. "It's one night! We'll drink, have fun, and maybe you'll meet some hot guy. You deserve to have a little fun."

Jade wanted to say no.

She wanted to tell Charlotte that she didn't belong in that world anymore—that the girl who once loved parties, who once laughed freely, didn't exist anymore.

But then Charlotte said something that made Jade's breath hitch.

"And Damien's going to be there too. He really wants to meet you!"

Jade's hands turned ice cold.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

Damien.

The man who had once made her believe in love. The man who had whispered lies into her heart. The man who had only used her to get closer to Charlotte.

And now, he was Charlotte's fiancé.

Jade forced a breath. She had to act normal.

She had to smile, pretend, and make sure Charlotte never saw through her mask.

"Jade?" Charlotte nudged her playfully. "Are you zoning out? So, are we going or what?"

Jade swallowed the lump in her throat and curved her lips into a soft smile. "Of course, Charlotte. I'd love to go."

Charlotte grinned, clapping her hands. "Perfect! Now, go find something hot to wear, because tomorrow night, we're getting you back in the game!"

Jade smiled, but her hands trembled as she gripped the bedsheet.

Tomorrow night, she would have to face him again.

And this time, she had to make sure he didn't see how much he had broken her.

***

Jade stood stiffly in front of the mirror, her fingers brushing over the smooth black fabric of the dress Charlotte had chosen for her. It was a mini black dress, hugging her figure perfectly—elegant yet dangerously bold. The kind of dress that made heads turn.

Charlotte's eyes sparkled with excitement as she admired Jade. "Goodness! You look so hot, Jade! You should wear clothes like this more often!"

Jade let out a small chuckle, tilting her head. "I don't know… this doesn't really feel like me."

But the truth was, it wasn't just about the dress.

She had spent so long trying to stay invisible, to blend into the background, to not be noticed. And now, standing in this dress, with her long ginger hair cascading over her shoulders and her skin glowing under the soft bedroom light, she felt exposed.

Charlotte playfully nudged her. "Well, maybe it should be you. Because trust me, you're a knockout!"

Jade curled her pink lips into a faint smile, hearing Charlotte's genuine excitement. She turned to her, scanning her bold best friend from head to toe. Charlotte, as always, looked stunning—confident, fierce, and effortlessly beautiful.

"You don't look bad yourself," Jade teased.

Charlotte grinned. "I know, right?" She flipped her dark curls dramatically before grabbing her phone to check the time.

Then, with an excited gasp, she clapped her hands together. "Let's go! Damien is going to pick us up."

Jade froze.

Her breath caught in her throat.

The room suddenly felt smaller, like the air had been sucked out of it.

Charlotte kept talking, oblivious to the way Jade's fingers clenched the edge of her dress, the way her heart had started pounding like a war drum.

Damien.

The name sent a sharp, bitter taste down her throat.

The man who had whispered sweet promises to her—only to break her into a million pieces. The man who had kissed her, held her, made her believe in love, only to use her as a pawn to get close to Charlotte.

And now, she had to sit in the same car as him?

She felt Charlotte grab her hand, tugging her toward the door. "Come on, Jade! You're going to love tonight!"

Jade forced a smile. "Yeah… I can't wait."

But inside, she knew the truth.

Tonight was going to be a nightmare.

***

A car honked outside.

Jade didn't know how, but she followed Charlotte out, her legs moving on their own. Maybe it was denial. Maybe it was fear. Or maybe, just maybe, she wasn't ready for this moment.

But the second she stepped outside the gate, she froze.

There he was.

Damien.

Standing beside a sleek black car, dressed in a sharp, tailored suit that fit him perfectly. His dark hair was styled effortlessly, his deep-set eyes unreadable, and his lips—those perfect lips that once whispered words meant only for her—pressed into a firm line.

He was still as breathtaking as she remembered.

A man every woman dreamed of—tall, powerful, the kind of man who could make hearts race with just one glance.

And the moment his gaze landed on her, he froze.

For a split second, something flickered in his dark eyes—recognition, hesitation.

But then, just as quickly, it was gone. His expression hardened, becoming unreadable, distant.

Jade stood still, her hands curling into fists at her sides.

And then, he looked at Charlotte.

The coldness in his face melted, and before Jade could prepare herself, he walked straight past her.

Straight to Charlotte.