Chapter 1

Elena's POV

Three years of marriage, and I had never seen Jason wait for anyone like this.

He was always composed. Even when the elders of the royal vampire bloodline pressed him publicly, he could hold that air of dignified calm.

But today he'd already glanced toward the entrance hall three times.

His long fingers moved absently over his cufflinks. In those blood-red eyes was something he hadn't noticed in himself: anticipation.

I stood half a step behind him, quietly straightening his collar.

The moment my fingertips brushed his lapel, he turned slightly aside.

I understood. He didn't like me too close.

The lights inside were bright. My features stood out too clearly to look like hers.

“Sorry.”

I said it softly and lowered my hand.

Jason glanced at me once, said nothing.

He was in a black formal coat tonight, his features sharp and deep. Wherever he stood, he carried that air of untouchable elegance that came with being heir to the vampire throne.

He was gentlemanly. Even without loving me, he had never humiliated me in public.

Only that gentleness always carried distance.

I could stand beside him. I could never reach his heart.

The butler came in quickly.

“Young master, Miss Vicky has arrived.”

Jason's expression finally changed.

That layer of cold composure tore open, and something clear rose in his eyes.

Today was the day Vicky came back.

The one he'd kept in his heart for years. The beautiful noble girl who had married someone else and now, freshly divorced, had returned to the vampire domain.

When the hall doors were pushed open, cold air and night poured in together.

Vicky stood in the doorway.

She was clade in a pale gold gown, dark hair over her shoulders, as exquisite as an expensive work of art.

Jason moved toward her, his pace just slightly quicker than usual.

“Did you have a good journey?”

His voice dropped. Soft in a way I didn't recognize.

Vicky smiled a little.

“Fine. Divorce among vampires isn't simple, you know how it is.”

Jason frowned.

“Did he give you trouble?”

“No.”

Vicky shook her head.

“Just tired.”

Jason was quiet for a moment.

“Good to have you back.”

Those five words landed, and my chest went tight.

Three years. He had never said anything like that to me.

When I came home from the hospital after a miscarriage, he'd just told the doctor to look after me.

When I ran a fever and slept through the day, he came to the bedroom, stood there a while, and left.

But Vicky said one word, tired, and warmth showed in his eyes.

So he did know how to be gentle.

Just never reserved it for me.

Vicky's gaze finally found me.

She studied my face for a few seconds, then smiled warmly.

“You must be Jason's wife. Lovely to meet you.”

I nodded.

Her eyes stayed on my face a little longer. There was a faint condescension in it, familiar and high above me.

Maybe she found it strange too.

How could there be someone in the world who looked so much like her, yet lived such a wretched life.

Jason glanced at me, his expression back to its usual cool.

“Elena, go ask the servants what's holding up the tea.”

It sounded like a simple errand.

But I knew what he meant.

He wanted me out of the way.

They hadn't seen each other in years. There was too much to say.

None of it was for me to hear.

I didn't ask. I just nodded.

“Of course.”

As I turned, I heard Vicky murmur behind me.

“Isn't that too much trouble for your wife?”

Jason's voice stayed warm.

“She doesn't mind. She's always good about these things.”

My step faltered slightly.

Good about these things.

That was probably the highest praise he'd given me in three years of marriage.

I walked down the corridor to the tearoom.

The servants had everything ready. I paused, then told them not to rush the delivery.

The tearoom was quiet.

A silver teapot steamed. The air smelled faintly of black tea.

I stood at the table and raised a hand to touch my own face.

This face. Seven parts Vicky.

The brow, the bridge of the nose, even the line of the cheek.

But not the fate.

Vicky was born a vampire noble lady. She'd been loved by family before her marriage. Even after her divorce, someone had waited silently for her return.

My mother died when I was young. After my father remarried, the house quickly had a new mistress and new children. I grew quieter and quieter in that home, until even the servants thought nothing of ordering me around.

The year I came of age, my father nearly married me to a man old enough to be my grandfather. He called it a consideration for the family. My stepmother said it was the best match I could hope for.

Then Jason appeared.

At a banquet, he noticed me in a corner. He called me over, looked at my face for a long time.

I knew I was only a substitute. And yet I breathed easier.

At least marrying Jason was better than that old man.

He was young. Handsome. Powerful.

At least sometimes, when he looked at my face, he'd go still for just a moment.

I'd told myself, in my small way: if I could be good enough, be enough like Vicky, sensible enough,

someday, when he looked at me, he would only see Elena.

Three years had passed.

One disappointment after another. One unborn child after another.

Now Vicky was back, and the last shred of that illusion was finally torn away.