Chapter One: The Lie That Started it All

Amara really felt like she shouldn't have shown up to this fancy event.

As soon as she walked in, surrounded by people in costly and expensive clothes and fake smiles, she knew she didn't belong.

She muttered to herself,”this is a bad idea,”trying to look more put together than she felt, because she knew this wasn't the kind of place for someone of low status like her.

But she felt she had to be there if she wanted a shot at a job.

Suddenly, she heard her name and froze, recognizing the voice instantly.

She turned around slowly and there he was, her ex David, looking as annoyingly confident and perfectly dressed as ever.

"David," she managed to say with a forced smile.

He looked her up and down, clearly unimpressed by what he had seen.

"Well, this is unexpected," he said.

"Didn't think you'd be invited to something like this."

Amara recognized that punch right away.

She gave a little laugh. "Oh, I was invited," she said casually, even though she'd basically begged her friend to get her in.

David raised an eyebrow. "Really? Doing what? Serving drinks?" he asked.

Amara's smile got a bit tighter. "Still the same, I see," she replied.

He stepped a little too close. "And you're still pretending," he said, his voice dropping.

"Let me guess... still single?"

That comment really struck her, more than she expected, but Amara never showed it.

Instead, she put on a bright, confident, and almost dangerous smile. "Oh no," she said. "I'm not single."

David paused for a second. "You're not?" he asked.

"Nope," Amara confirmed, crossing her arms together.

It was a huge lie, and she knew she couldn't back out now.

"I'm actually engaged," she added.

There was silence, and David blinked. Then he laughed. "Engaged? To who?" he asked.

And that's when the real problem started, because Amara hadn't thought that far ahead.

Her mind raced, desperately needing a name, a face, anything.

Then, without thinking, she turned slightly and pointed.

"There," she said. "My fiancé."

David followed her gaze, and Amara did too, just to make him believe.

But the moment she saw who she'd pointed at, her heart sank.

"Oh no," she whispered.

Standing across the room, looking tall and calm, watching everything, was Adrian Cole.

Not just anyone, but the CEO hosting the whole event, the most powerful guy there.

And worst of all, he was looking directly at her.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything felt weirdly quiet.

"You're joking," David said beside her.

Amara couldn't respond.

Because Adrian started walking towards them, slowly, steadily, and with purpose.

"Amara," David whispered, "You better not be lying."

It was already too late.

Adrian was now standing right in front of them, close enough to hear everything and expose her lie.

Amara's heart pounded harder.

This was it, the moment everything would crumble.

Then, Adrian spoke, his voice calm.

"I was wondering how long you'd take."

Amara froze. "What?" she whispered.

Adrian's eyes stayed locked on hers. Then, he did something completely unexpected.

He stepped closer, put a hand lightly on her waist, and said, "Are you going to introduce me properly... or should I do it myself?"

Complete silence followed.

Amara's brain shut down, with just one thought echoing in her mind:

What have I done?