003. Announcement...

The grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel sparkled with champagne glasses and designer gowns. Helena stood before her mirror in the preparation room, adjusting her stunning emerald silk dress that hugged her curves perfectly. 

"You look beautiful, dear," her mother said from the doorway, though her tone suggested she was merely stating a fact rather than offering a compliment.

Helena met her mother's eyes in the reflection. "Thank you."

In her past life, she would've been desperate for more praise, hungry for any scrap of affection. Now she saw Margaret Reynolds for what she truly was… a woman who'd chosen her imposter daughter over her real one.

"The guests are all here," her mother continued. "Don't keep them waiting. And please, try not to embarrass us tonight."

Helena's jaw tightened, but she forced a smile. "Of course not, Mother."

As Margaret stepped out, Victoria slipped into the room, looking stunning in a silver gown that showed off her model-like figure. Her shiny platinum blonde hair fell in beautiful waves over her shoulders.

"Sister," Victoria purred, coming to stand beside Helena. "You look... nice."

"Thank you." Helena kept her expression neutral, though inside, she was raging. This woman had murdered her, had watched her die without an ounce of remorse.

"I'm so happy for you and Michael," Victoria continued, her blue eyes studying Helena's face. "You two are perfect together."

Liar. Helena wanted to scream it, wanted to tear that false smile off Victoria's face. But she kept playing dumb, kept pretending she didn't know the truth.

"I appreciate that, Victoria. It means a lot coming from you."

Victoria's smile widened, clearly satisfied that Helena was still the naive fool she'd always been. "Well, I should get out there. Can't wait to see you exchange rings with Michael. It'll be so romantic."

As Victoria left, Helena took one last look in the mirror. Tonight, everything would change. Tonight, she would begin her revenge.

As she walked into the ballroom, people gasped and whispered. The dress was beautiful and cost a fortune, all from her own savings, not her parents'. 

It was obvious how much it stood out. Every eye in the room watched her as she made her way to the small stage where Michael was waiting.

He looked handsome in his tailored suit, with his dark hair neatly styled and a warm, inviting smile. He seemed like the perfect fiancé… the perfect liar.

"You look stunning," he murmured as she reached him, taking her hand and kissing it. Cameras flashed, capturing the moment.

Helena smiled back, playing her part. "Thank you."

The crowd settled as her father took the microphone. "Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate my daughter Helena's engagement to Michael Harrison. We're so pleased to welcome Michael into our family."

More applause. More camera flashes. Helena felt Michael's hand tighten around hers in a possessive and controlling way, even in this moment.

"And now," Richard Reynolds continued, "we'll have the ring exchange. Michael?"

Michael reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. Inside sat a diamond ring, the same ring that, in her past life, had symbolised her chains.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Helena pulled her hand away.

"No."

The single word dropped into the silence like a stone into still water.

Michael blinked, his smile faltering. "Helena?"

"I said no." She stepped back, her voice growing stronger. "I won't be exchanging rings with you, Michael."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Michael's eyes darkened, but he kept his smile fixed in place. He leaned closer, whispering urgently, "What are you doing, Helena? Everyone's watching."

Helena stared at him with cold eyes. She saw the moment he realised something had changed, saw the flicker of uncertainty cross his face.

Then she turned to face the crowd.

"I have an announcement to make," she said, her voice carrying across the ballroom. "As many of you know, my beloved grandfather passed away recently and left me a significant portion of his company shares."

More whispers followed, and cameras began clicking furiously.

"However, there was a condition," Helena continued. "I must be married within six months to claim my inheritance. And I will fulfil that condition… but not with Michael Harrison."

The ballroom erupted. Gasps, exclamations, and questions were shouted from every direction. Flashbulbs exploded like fireworks.

"Helena!" Her mother's horrified voice cut through the chaos. Both her parents rushed to her side, grabbing her arms and pulling her away from the microphone.

"What are you doing?" her father hissed, looking red with fury. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Don't embarrass us like this," her mother added, her perfectly manicured nails digging into Helena's arm. "Not in front of everyone. Think of the family reputation!"

Helena yanked her arms free. "The family reputation? That's all you care about, isn't it? Not me. Never me. You've always favoured Victoria over me since the day I came back."

"That's not true!" Victoria appeared, looking as if her innocence had been wounded. She even managed to summon tears. "Helena, how can you say that? We love you. We've always loved you."

"Cut the act, Victoria," Helena snapped. "I'm not falling for it anymore."

Victoria's eyes widened, and for just a second, Helena saw real fear there. Good. Let her be afraid.

"Helena, please," her father tried again. "Let's discuss this privately…"

"No." Helena pushed past them and returned to the stage. She took the microphone again, ignoring her parents' protests. "As I was saying, I will be getting married. To someone else. Someone who will arrive shortly."

She hoped her gamble would pay off. After their encounter on the street the other day, she didn’t exactly tell Alexander anything. But from memories of her past life, she remembered seeing him at the wedding.

But would he actually come this time?

"Helena, this is ridiculous," Michael's voice came from behind her. His hand clamped down on her arm, hard enough to bruise. "Stop this nonsense right now and…"

She spun around and slapped him across the face.

The sound echoed through the suddenly silent ballroom. Michael staggered back, his hand flying to his reddening cheek, looking shocked and angry.

Cameras went into overdrive. Helena knew by tomorrow, this image would be on every gossip site and newspaper in the city.

"Don't you dare touch me," she said in a quiet voice. "Don't you ever touch me again."

"You bitch," Michael snarled, and there it was… the real Michael, the one who'd helped murder her. "Do you have any idea what you've just done?"

"Actually, I do," Helena replied calmly. "I've just saved myself from making the biggest mistake of my life."

"You'll regret this," he threatened, taking a step toward her.

"I don't think so."

Just then, the ballroom doors opened.

Helena's heart leaped as Alexander Grant walked in, looking slightly confused by the chaos but impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that probably cost more than most people's cars.

Their eyes met across the crowded room.

"There he is," Helena said into the microphone, her voice ringing with confidence she didn't entirely feel. "The man I'm going to marry."

She walked toward Alexander, her heels clicking on the marble floor. The crowd parted for her like the Red Sea. When she reached him, she slipped her arm around his, feeling his surprise at her boldness.

"Alexander Grant," she announced, turning back to face the stunned guests. "He will be my husband."