CHAPTER ONE: The Night Everything Went Wrong

Isabella’s POV

“Why now.” I growled at my reflection, struggling with the stubborn strap of my simple black gown. My fingers trembled with nerves, making the tiny clasp nearly impossible to close.

On the nightstand, my phone screen lit up with a flash.

Arie boo:

‘You’re taking forever.’

I sighed in frustration and put in more effort, my fingers moving faster until the strap finally clicked into place.

"Finally…" I breathed out, relief rushing through me. 

I picked up my purse, about to toss my phone inside, when the bedroom door suddenly slammed against the wall with a loud bang, making me flinch.

Without even looking, I already knew it was Eleanor. Ever since my stepsister, Evelyn, disappeared six months ago, leaving behind only a brief note, Eleanor had stormed into my life like a force determined to destroy everything in its path.

"Going out to enjoy yourself, huh?" Eleanor sneered, disgust dripping from every word. "How can you even stand to look at yourself in the mirror after everything you’ve done?"

I kept my gaze lowered, gripping my purse tighter. "Arielle invited me to a charity event, Eleanor," I said quietly. "It’s for a good cause."

"‘A good cause?’" Eleanor let out a sharp, bitter laugh that cut through the room. 

She rolled her eyes, her face twisting into a scowl. "Please..! The only cause you’ve ever cared about is yourself. I wonder how you even breathe, carrying so much selfishness and wickedness inside you."

I snapped my head up, stunned by the cruelty in her words.

Her sharp eyes burned into mine with pure hatred. "Issy... you couldn’t stand it, could you? You couldn’t stand that Evelyn was the star of this family."

"Eleanor, you know that’s not true," I mumbled, quickly looking away from her piercing stare.

She took a predatory step closer, her voice rising. "Don't lie to me! You caused that car accident on purpose. You knew that if Evelyn couldn't walk, she wouldn't be able to marry Charlie Harrington. You drove that car into a ditch just to ruin her future. You chased your own sister away!"

“That's not true..”

“Common, save that for a fool,” she spat.

My breathing turned shallow, and in an instant, the memory of that rainy night flashed before my eyes—the screaming tires, the dark road, and the terrifying moment my foot slammed on the brake pedal only for it to hit the floorboards completely useless. I’d tried to stop. I’d tried to save her. But in this house, facts didn't matter. The truth never had a voice.

"I loved Evelyn," I whispered, my voice trembling.

“You envied her!” Eleanor cut in rudely. She stormed toward my vanity, snatched up an expensive glass perfume bottle, and hurled it onto the hardwood floor.

The bottle didn’t break, but the loud crash made me shrink in panic. 

Her voice cracked as she looked away, swallowing back tears.

“And now my daughter is gone. Somewhere out there, paralyzed and alone, because of you…” Her throat tightened as she pointed a trembling finger at me. “You monster… silent, jealous monster.”

Tears burned my eyes, threatening to spill over as my chest heaved with uneven gasps.

"Eleanor, please, that’s enough," a tired voice called out from the doorway.

My father stood there with his shoulders slumped. He looked older, defeated by the constant screaming in our home. He reached a weak hand out toward his wife. "Isabella is just going to an event. Let her have some peace. Her friend is already—"

Eleanor whirled around like a wild animal, thrusting a sharp finger directly into his chest. "Peace? You want to give her peace after she destroyed your other daughter? My daughter? You always favored Isabella! That’s why she turned out so spoiled and cruel. Don’t you dare try to hush me, Mason!"

He opened his mouth, maybe to argue, but the fury in Eleanor’s glare silenced him instantly. He looked at me with a sad, apologetic expression, but he didn't step forward nor defend me. He just stood there, watching silently while I was torn apart—his usual way of handling things. He always chose silence over protecting me.

Eleanor turned her vicious gaze back to me. "Isabella... you think you can just—"

"Eleanor PLEASE!" I cried out, my voice breaking completely. "I loved Evelyn. I loved her!" 

Tears finally spilled down my cheeks. 

Eleanor curled her lip in disgust, crossing her arms over her chest. 

I couldn’t take it for another second. Grabbing my shoes, I pushed past them both and sprinted down the hallway. I didn’t care that my hair wasn’t perfect. I didn’t care that I wasn’t wearing my jewelry. I just needed to escape before the walls of this house crushed me completely.

"Run away then!" Eleanor’s voice screamed behind me, echoing down the stairs. "But you can't run away from the monster you are!"

I burst through the front door, the cool night air hitting my wet face. I ran down the driveway toward the front gate, where Arielle's car was parked idling.

The passenger door swung open before I even reached the curb. I aggressively wiped the tears from my face and slid into the seat, pulling the door shut.

Arielle looked at me with wide, worried eyes. "You good?"

I nodded slowly, keeping my eyes fixed on the dashboard.

"You took so… long," Arielle said softly, shifting the car into gear and pulling away from the house.

“My stepmom,” I managed to choke out, bending over to slip on my shoes. On another note, I was grateful she didn’t notice my tear-streaked face; she would’ve asked a thousand questions within a minute.

Arielle sighed heavily, her grip tightening on the steering wheel. "Why is she always so difficult? It’s been more than six months, Isabella. When is she going to stop blaming you for a mechanical failure you couldn't control?"

"Never," I muttered, staring out the window at the passing streetlights. "To her, I’m the villain. To the world, I’m the cruel woman who ruined Evelyn’s life. Sometimes, when you hear a lie enough times, you almost believe it."

"Don't you dare think like that," Arielle snapped, though her tone remained fierce with love. "Issy, you are the kindest person I know. Listen to me... tonight, we are not thinking about them. We are going to a luxury charity gala at the Grand Horizon Hotel. We are going to drink expensive champagne, look at beautiful art, and pretend our lives aren't a complete mess. Okay?"

I turned to face her, swallowing the lump in my throat, and forced a small smile. "Okay."

Arielle immediately changed the topic, rambling about a handsome guy who had walked into her flower shop earlier that week. Her bright energy was as contagious as always, and within minutes, the heavy weight in my chest began to lift.

…….

Ten minutes later, we arrived at the Grand Horizon Hotel. 

The venue was breathtakingly luxurious, flooded with golden lights, covered in thick blue carpets, and filled with high-society elites who carried the unmistakable scent of extreme wealth. Instantly, that old insecurity crept back in. In my simple dress, I felt like an imposter. I stayed glued to Arielle’s side, trying to fade into the shadows near the bar.

But even in the shadows, I couldn't escape the gossip. Everywhere I turned, one specific name echoed through the crowd.

“Charlie Harrington.”

"Have you seen Charlie tonight?" a woman whispered in a group nearby.

"Where is he?" another asked, leaning in closer.

"He’s in the VIP lounge. He’s been an absolute wreck since Evelyn Reed vanished," the first woman replied, shaking her head. "They say he’s more ruthless than ever in the boardroom now, but he spends his nights drowning himself in scotch."

"That just means he loved her deeply..." a third sighed dreamily.

A cold shiver ran down my spine at the mention of his name. And the fact that he was around made me cringe so bad. I just hoped and prayed I would never cross paths with him tonight.

"I need some air," I told Arielle, my chest tightening again. "I'll be by the balcony."

"What’s wrong?" she asked, noticing my sudden paleness.

"Nothing," I lied, already moving away.

"Don't go too far," she called out, her attention quickly stolen by a passing waiter carrying a tray of appetizers.

I walked quickly toward the quieter end of the grand hallway, heading for the large glass doors near the private elevators. 

I just needed a minute of silence—to breathe and think, or at least figure out if I could last ten minutes here.

But before my hand could even touch the glass, a large shadow fell over me.

A man in a sharp black suit, wearing a security earpiece, stepped directly into my path. His face looked like it hadn’t smiled in years.

"Miss," his voice was deep, and completely commanding. "My boss wants to see you. Now."

I blinked, my heart skipping a beat. 

"Your boss? I think you have the wrong person. I’m just here attending the event with a friend."

"He doesn't have the wrong person," the guard cut in coldly, taking a threatening step forward.

I slowly backed away, my instincts screaming at me to run. 

"You have to come with me," he ordered.

"No, I won't," I said curtly, my heart slamming against my ribs. "I don't know you, and I don't know your boss. I’m not going anywhere with you. Sorry."

I turned sharply on my heels to sprint back toward the safety of the crowded ballroom. But as I turned, the crowd suddenly parted. 

A man was already walking down the hallway toward me, flanked by two more heavy men. He was tall, wearing a blue suit that looked impossibly expensive. His dark hair was slightly messy, his tie pulled loose at the collar. Even from several feet away, the strong scent of premium bourbon and rich cologne clung to him like a second skin.

He was so damn handsome in a way that felt dangerous to look at—sharp, lethal jawline, high cheekbones, and dark eyes that seemed completely swallowed by darkness.

When I looked closer, my breath caught in my throat. I froze completely.

It was Charlie Harrington.