Through the mirror of love

Chapter Two: A Whisper in the Chaos

The grand halls of the Travis Estate pulsed with laughter, clinking glasses, and the symphony of a string quartet playing in the background. From the outside, it was a picture of elegance—wealthy elites in shimmering gowns, men in crisp suits, discussing business and politics over vintage wine.

But for Elara Travis, tonight was nothing more than another show, another carefully orchestrated performance where she played the role of the perfect daughter. She moved through the sea of guests, smiling when necessary, nodding at her father's business partners, and pretending not to notice her stepmother, Vivian, watching her like a hawk.

Her stepbrother, Ethan, had already greeted her earlier in the evening with his usual warmth, but even that felt distant. Something about tonight felt... off. There was a heaviness in the air that she couldn't explain.

And then she saw him.

A tall man in a waiter's uniform, blending into the crowd, yet standing out to her. His sharp features, the way his dark eyes flickered toward her before quickly looking away—it sent a strange rush through her.

Her breath hitched. Damian?

The name almost slipped from her lips, but she caught herself. It had been years, but she could never forget those eyes. The boy she once knew had disappeared long ago, but the man standing there now looked eerily like him.

She took a step forward, her pulse quickening. But before she could reach him, a sharp crack cut through the air.

Gunfire.

The gunshot ripped through the air, shattering the illusion of safety. Guests screamed, ducking for cover, their elegant gowns and tailored suits now tangled in panic. Elara barely had time to react before a firm hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her down.

"Stay down!" Damian's voice was sharp, urgent. His body shielded hers as another shot rang out, embedding itself in the marble wall behind them.

Elera's heart pounded against her ribs. Everything was a blur—the flashing lights, the terrified cries, the chaos swallowing the grand ballroom. But as she lay pressed to the cold floor, something caught her eye.

Aden.

While everyone else was in a frenzy, Aden stood eerily still near the back of the room, his sharp gaze following the scene with unsettling calm. He wasn't running. He wasn't hiding. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

Elara squinted, watching him closely. The noise of the crowd drowned out any words, but she could see his lips move as he spoke into the receiver.

And then, something strange happened.

The moment he ended the call, the gunfire stopped.

Just like that.

Her blood ran cold.

Damian pulled her to her feet, gripping her arm tightly. "We need to move."

But Elara wasn't listening. Her eyes remained locked on Aden, suspicion creeping into every part of her.

Why wasn't he scared? Why did he only call someone after the chaos started? And why did the attack stop the second he put his phone away?

A shiver ran down her spine.

Something wasn't right.

And she was going to find out what.