Chapter 002

  I stood up and my eyes scanned the room till they landed on my bedside lamp. I picked it up, my grip on it tightening as the banging continued.

  

  Someone was going to die and no matter what — I refused to be the one.

  

  Steeling my nerves, I walked over to the door and opened it, hiding behind it. As the person stepped in, I raised the lamp to hit them but froze.

  

  "Sylvia?"

  

  "Hey! Have you gone mad?!" The maid screeched, stumbling with wide eyes. "Are you trying to kill me?!"

  

  I glanced at the clock. Oh, it was two hours before the man arrived. This meant Lovie and Atlas were still downstairs.

  

  "Your tea is ready." Sylvia spat, setting it on my brown bedside table. Despite being my maid for years, she only followed Atlas' orders.

  

  In the past, I raced downstairs, begging him to stay. Not anymore. I wasn't going to ask for permission.

  

  I wasn't going to wait till death arrived. I would attend that Runway and make it a memorable one.

  

  "Didn't you hear me? Drink up!" She demanded and we locked eyes.

  

  When she didn't win the staring contest, her face paled and she stared at me, confused.

  

  She had every right to be worried and confused. After all, in the past, she bossed me around and humiliated me in my home.

  

  I tightened my fist and glanced at the tea, recalling the lighthearted feeling I got after drinking it.

  

  I was so weak and that was how the masked man succeeded.

  

  Our eyes locked again as realization hit — Sylvia drugged me.

  

  "Mr. Volkan said you should drink this and sleep. You better follow his orders, or else, we will be forced to—"

  

  "You are fired," I spoke calmly.

  

  The brown-haired woman's eyes widened. "W-what?" She asked. "How dare you? Who do think you are to fire me? Look, your tea is already cold, and if you don't take—"

  

  I collected the tea and she grinned. "That is more like — ah!" She cried and I watched as her uniform turned a shade darker, soaked in hot tea.

  

  I took a step forward and she stumbled until her back hit the wall. "Atlas, Lovie, they are not the boss of me. Much less, you."

  

  "B-but, why are you acting this way?" Her voice shook. "I only asked you to drink tea —"

  

  I ignored her blabbering and strolled to my walk-in closet. I had to stop the runway.

  

  If the masked man arrived, he would kill me. No, this time I would not allow it.

  

  I frowned as I registered the light-colored dresses in the closet.

  

  In the past, I only wore these dresses to impress Atlas. I figured the more I looked like Lovie, the longer I could keep Atlas.

  

  Not anymore.

  

  I yanked the clothes from the hangers and tossed them to the ground. I raised an eyebrow when I caught sight of a bold black dress.

  

  Perfect.

  

  Lovie not only hated black dresses — The entire Volkan family loathed the color black.

  

  I pulled it out and walked over to my mirror. I reached for my hair, shutting my eyes as memories of Atlas filtered through.

  

  He told me the only good thing about me was my soft long hair.

  

  I kept growing it to please him. So, when I grabbed the scissors and started chopping it — I felt free.

  

  For three years, I tried to win Atlas' heart. I clung to him. However, Atlas only ever saw me as his brother's murderer.

  

  When I was dying, he abandoned me.

  

  Atlas Volkan took me for granted. He insulted my love and —

  

  "I'll remind you that you are making a big mistake, you are insane!"

  

  I turned to Sylvia. "Dispose of the dresses. Wear them, throw them out, do whatever you wish." I informed her, glancing at the clock. "I have a show to attend."

  

  "No!" She rebuked, grabbing my wrist. I glanced at the clock, only five minutes more. "I won't let you ruin Lady Lovie's night!"

  

  I tried to yank my arm, my eyes widening as I registered how much time had passed. I glanced out the window behind me, my heart racing as I saw the masked man entering the house.

  

  No, no, no!

  

  "You won't go anywhere till tomorrow, that is Mr. Volkan's order!" She said, glaring at me.

  

  My breath hitched as the sound of banging came. He was at the door. I pushed Sylvia and raced out of the room, I had to leave through the backdoor and now.

  

  I ran down the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest as the walls of the mansion threatened to close in on me.

  

  I was about to step out when someone grabbed my hair. They pulled me back and I hit the dining table, crumbling to the ground.

  

  Goosebumps ran over my skin as we locked eyes. He pulled out a knife and I pushed a chair to him, standing.

  

  The masked man moved and I started throwing dishes at him — forcing him to take cover behind the kitchen door.

  

  I was trapped. I glanced around, searching for something — anything to help me survive.

  

  As he stepped forward, I grabbed the closest jar and threw the contents at him. I heaved a sigh of realization as he grunted, rubbing his eyes.

  

  It was powdered pepper.

  

  I bolted, running out the door without looking back. I had to get out, now!

  

  The taller man followed me. I could hear his steps as my heart raced — loud and malicious.

  

  Who was this masked man? Why did he want me dead?

  

  I slipped and rolled on the ground, my knees bruising.

  

  He pounced on me and started strangling me. I struggled to breathe, gasping for air as his grip tightened.

  

  No, things couldn't end like this.

  

  I couldn't lose a second time. Fate couldn't be so cruel.

  

  Glancing around, I saw the knife from before, it must have fallen from his hand.

  

  As the last bit of air was squeezed from me, I took my chance. I grabbed the knife and stabbed him.

  

  The man froze, falling off me. His phone slipped out, ringing.

  

  The sound made me flinch but my eyes widened as I registered the caller's name.

  

  "Lovie."

  

  My blood boiled as I picked it up.

  

  I knew she was capable of everything — hurting, humiliating, manipulating me.

  

  Killing me, however? That was too low, even for her.

  

  Lovie didn't just want everything — Lovie wanted to kill me. My sister wanted to kill me?

  

  My body slacked as the man bled, I was frozen, nursing the betrayal.

  

  I sacrificed everything for her. I agreed to marry Ryle in the past so she could be with Atlas and this...

  

  This was how she repaid me?

  

  I got up, my knees wobbling. The scent of betrayal and anguish was in the air, but I dared not cry.

  

  I had a runway to attend and when we saw each other, I would settle the score.