Chapter 1

The moment Vera Sinclair walked into the lavish restaurant, she knew something was off.

The low hum of conversation, the clinking of crystal glasses, and the rich aroma of gourmet dishes did nothing to settle the unease crawling up her spine.

Across the table, her boyfriend of four years, Lucas Whitmore, wore an expression she had never seen before, distant, cold, and unreadable.

She set her purse on the chair beside her and smiled, ignoring the warning bells in her head. "You’re quiet tonight. Long day?"

Lucas exhaled sharply, adjusting the cuffs of his expensive suit. "Vera, we need to talk."

Her stomach twisted.

No conversation that began with those words ever ended well.

Still, she forced herself to remain calm. "Okay. What’s on your mind?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his wine glass, swirled the liquid, and watched it as if searching for words in the deep red color.

When he finally spoke, his voice carried a sharp edge. "I think we should break up."

For a moment, Vera thought she misheard him. Her breath hitched, and a slow numbness crept through her veins. "What?"

"It’s over, Vera."

She blinked, her mind struggling to catch up. "Lucas… is this a joke? Because if it is, it's not funny."

He sighed, setting his glass down with a soft clink. "I’m serious. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. You and I… we were never meant to last."

A painful lump formed in her throat. "Four years, Lucas. We've been together for four years. You don't just wake up one day and decide it’s over. What’s really going on?"

He leaned back, his gaze cool and detached. "I should have told you earlier, but I didn’t know how. The truth is… there’s someone else."

The world around her seemed to slow, the sounds of the restaurant fading into nothing. "Someone else?"

Lucas had the decency to look guilty. "Camilla Alden. We’ve been together for a while now."

Vera’s heart lurched, then plummeted into a freefall.

Camilla Alden.

The name sent a rush of memories through her mind, blonde, elegant, and the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in the city. More importantly, the woman Lucas had always described as 'just a friend.'

The realization was a gut punch. "So what was I, then? A placeholder until she wanted you?"

He hesitated, and that pause told her everything she needed to know.

Her breath came out in a shaky exhale, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Oh my God. That’s exactly what I was, wasn’t I? A substitute for Camilla."

"Vera, it’s not like that..."

"Then what is it like?" she snapped, her voice sharp with pain. "Tell me, Lucas. Was I just convenient? Someone to pass the time with until she was ready to take you back?"

Lucas rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated. "Look, I didn’t plan for this to happen. But Camilla… she’s the one I’ve always wanted. I thought I could move on, but I couldn’t."

Vera stared at him, the man she had loved, trusted, and built a life around. And in that moment, she realized something.

Lucas had never truly loved her. He had loved the idea of her, the stand in, the reliable one, the woman who was always there when his 'true love' wasn’t.

A dull ache spread through her chest, but she refused to let the tears fall. Instead, she straightened her shoulders and forced a small, bitter smile. "Thank you for finally being honest with me, Lucas. I wish you and Camilla all the happiness you deserve."

He looked momentarily taken aback, as if expecting her to beg or plead. But she wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

Without another word, she grabbed her purse, stood up, and walked away, leaving Lucas Whitmore and four years of wasted love behind.

The cold night air bit at Vera’s skin, but she barely felt it. Her mind raced, replaying the conversation with Lucas over and over.

The betrayal, the humiliation, the unbearable realization that she had been nothing more than a stand in.

Her heels clicked against the pavement as she walked aimlessly through the city streets.

The distant hum of traffic, the neon glow of storefronts, and the occasional laughter of passing strangers all felt like a world apart from her own reality.

She had spent four years loving a man who had only been waiting for someone else.

The weight of it pressed down on her chest, but she refused to let it crush her. No. She had shed enough tears for Lucas Whitmore.

As she turned a corner, the looming silhouette of a bar caught her eye. "Seraph’s Lounge."

The golden letters gleamed under the streetlight, almost inviting her inside.

Vera had never been the type to drink her problems away, but tonight, she wanted an escape.

The warmth of the bar was a stark contrast to the icy night. The rich scent of whiskey and leather filled the air, and a soft jazz melody played in the background.

She slid onto a barstool, signaling the bartender. "Something strong. Surprise me."

The bartender, a woman with sharp eyes and a knowing smirk, nodded.

Within moments, a deep amber liquid filled a crystal glass before Vera. "Rough night?" she asked, wiping the counter.

Vera let out a hollow laugh. "Something like that."

She took a sip, the burn spreading through her, grounding her. It was then that she felt the weight of someone’s gaze on her.

"Drinking alone? That’s a dangerous habit," a deep voice drawled beside her.

Vera turned, her eyes meeting an intense, familiar stare. Asher Donovan.

Tall, dangerously handsome, and one of the most powerful businessmen in the city.

He was the kind of man who made deals over hundred year old scotch and destroyed his enemies with a single calculated move. But what was he doing here?

"Mr. Donovan," she acknowledged, forcing composure into her voice. "Didn’t take you for the type to frequent places like this."

His lips quirked in amusement. "And I didn’t take you for the type to drink alone."

Vera smirked, tilting her glass. "Then I guess we’re both full of surprises."

He studied her for a moment, something unreadable flashing in his eyes. "You don’t deserve to look this down, Vera."

Her breath caught. He said her name like it meant something, like he saw right through the mask she was struggling to keep on.

"And what do I deserve?" she found herself asking.