Some betrayals wear masks. Others bare their teeth with a kiss. But the deepest scars are carved by the hands you once trusted the most.
Flashback.
Rain lashed against the glass windows of the Reed estate. The masquerade ball was in full swing. Elegance cloaked in shadows. Silk gowns, champagne flutes, and silver masks.
Isabella moved like a storm through the crowd, heart racing under her velvet dress. Her diamond-encrusted mask did little to hide the fear in her eyes.
Liam was supposed to meet her at midnight by the east garden.
They were going to run.
Escape the deals, the blackmail, the power games. Just love,just freedom.
But something felt… off.
The music was too loud. The guests too hollow. Everyone was performing, but no one was watching.
Except her.
Celeste stood across the ballroom, face half-hidden behind a white feathered mask. Her smile never reached her eyes.
Isabella's heart dropped.
She turned to leave but was stopped by Vincent.
He was calm. Too calm.
"You always loved a dramatic exit," he said, lifting his mask. "But this time, you're staying until the end."
"I'm not yours to keep," she snapped.
He leaned in. "Then you shouldn't have made promises you couldn't keep."
Before she could speak again, Celeste was beside him.
"She looks beautiful tonight," Celeste said sweetly, brushing Isabella's shoulder. "Like a fallen star."
"Don't touch me," Isabella said, stepping back.
"Touch?" Celeste raised an eyebrow. "I already took everything."
Then her voice dropped to a whisper. "He's not coming, Isabella. He won't make it."
"What did you do?"
Celeste's smile widened. "He made the mistake of loving you. That always ends badly in our world."
Panic surged. Isabella turned and ran heels clicking against the marble floors, lungs burning.
She reached the garden gate.
But Liam wasn't there.
Only his silver chain, lying in the dirt.
And blood.
Present.
Ava jerked awake, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Liam gripped her arm, fear etched across his face. "What did you remember?"
Her voice cracked. "You were ambushed. You never made it to me."
He closed his eyes, jaw tightening. "I always wondered… why I never remembered how I died."
She turned to him. "Celeste. She orchestrated it. She took everything from me."
Ava rose from the bed, breath shaking.
"I need to find her."
Liam stood too. "Then we'll find her together."
But neither of them saw the message waiting on Ava's phone an anonymous number.
One word.
"Hello."