LOGINThe taxi drops Elara off a block from Alice's apartment building. It's a modest place in a decent neighborhood. Nothing like Lucas's penthouse or the Vaughn estate. This is where Alice lived while she was having an affair with a wealthy man. While she was dreaming of a better life.Kieran is already there, waiting in his car. Elara slides into the passenger seat."Are you sure about this?" Kieran asks. "If Lucas finds out you went to see Alice, he'll know something is wrong.""I was careful," Elara says. "And we need that vial. It's the physical evidence we've been missing."Kieran nods. He pulls out a set of lockpicks. "Let's go."They enter the building through a side door. The elevator takes them to the fourth floor. Alice's apartment is at the end of the hallway. Kieran picks the lock in less than a minute.The apartment is small. One bedroom, one bathroom, a combined living room and kitchen. It's neat but impersonal. Like Alice never really lived here. Just existed between shifts
Elara stays at Lucas's penthouse for three hours. She plays the dutiful fiancée. She nods sympathetically while he rants about Alice. She agrees with his plans for damage control. She smiles and touches his arm and acts like nothing has changed.But inside, she is planning. Calculating. Waiting for her moment to escape.Finally Lucas gets a call about an emergency at his office. Some crisis with investors spooked by the wedding disaster. He has to go handle it personally."Will you be okay here alone?" Lucas asks. He seems reluctant to leave her."I'll be fine," Elara assures him. "I'm exhausted anyway. I think I'll take a bath and rest."Lucas kisses her forehead. "I'll be back in a few hours. We'll have dinner. Talk about the new wedding plans.""Sounds perfect," Elara lies.The moment Lucas leaves, Elara springs into action. She calls Kieran immediately."Where is Alice?" she asks without preamble."Pinehurst Psychiatric Hospital," Kieran says. "It's a private facility on the north
The drive to Lucas's penthouse is silent. Lucas grips the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turn white. His jaw is clenched. A muscle twitches in his cheek. Elara has never seen him this angry.She sits in the passenger seat still wearing her wedding dress. The crystals catch the sunlight. The fabric pools around her feet. She looks like a princess. But she feels like a prisoner.They pull into the underground parking garage. Lucas doesn't wait for the valet. He parks himself and gets out. He comes around to Elara's door and opens it. His movements are jerky. Aggressive."Come on," he says tersely.Elara gathers her dress and follows him to the elevator. They ride up to the penthouse in silence. The tension is suffocating. Elara can feel Lucas's rage radiating off him in waves.The elevator doors open. They step into the penthouse. It looks exactly the same as when Elara lived here as Rachel. Same furniture. Same art on the walls. The only difference is the photos. Pictures of Lu
The church explodes into chaos. Guests jump to their feet. People start shouting questions. Cameras flash as everyone tries to capture this moment. The peaceful wedding ceremony has transformed into a scandal.Alice stumbles further down the aisle toward the altar. She is clearly drunk. Elara can see it in the way she moves. Unsteady steps. Wild gestures. Eyes that don't quite focus properly."You all need to know the truth," Alice shouts to the crowd. Her voice is slurred but loud. "Lucas Hart is not who you think he is. He's not a grieving widower who found love again. He's a murderer."Lucas remains unnaturally calm. He doesn't look panicked or angry. He looks concerned. Like he is dealing with a troubled person who needs help. His expression is perfect. Practiced."Alice, please," Lucas says gently. He holds up his hands in a placating gesture. "You're not well. Let's get you somewhere quiet where we can talk.""I don't want to talk to you," Alice screams. She points at him with a
Elara wakes up alone in her apartment. Morning light filters through the curtains. For a moment she forgets what day it is. Then reality crashes down on her.Today is her wedding day.She sits up in bed and looks around her empty apartment. She spent last night here alone. Kieran wanted her to stay at the estate but she refused. She needed this night to herself. To prepare mentally for what she is about to do.She is going to marry Lucas Hart. Again.Her phone buzzes on the nightstand. A text from Diana. "I'm outside. Let me in."Elara drags herself out of bed. She opens the door and Diana sweeps in carrying garment bags and makeup cases. Diana takes one look at Elara's face and pulls her into a hug."You don't have to do this," Diana says quietly. "We can call it off right now. I'll handle everything.""No," Elara says. She pulls away and forces a smile. "I have to do this. It's the only way to get close enough to destroy him completely."Diana looks unconvinced but she doesn't argue
Elara wakes before dawn. Kieran's arm is draped across her waist. His breathing is deep and even. She lies still, watching the first light creep through the curtains. Everything feels different this morning. Changed.Last night was not just physical. It was something deeper. Something that terrified and thrilled her at the same time.She carefully slides out of bed without waking Kieran. She finds his shirt from yesterday and pulls it on. She walks to the window and looks out at the estate grounds. The world is quiet. Peaceful. For a moment she can almost forget about Lucas and Alice and revenge."You're awake early," Kieran's voice comes from behind her.Elara turns. He is sitting up in bed, bare-chested, his dark hair messy from sleep. He looks younger like this. Less dangerous. Almost vulnerable."I couldn't sleep," she says."Come back to bed," he says. It is not a command. It is an invitation.Elara walks back to the bed and climbs in beside him. Kieran pulls her close. She rests







