Chapter 1: The Fake Smile

Liana's POV

I froze at the doorway, my fingers tightening around the edge of the half-open door as my heart pounded against my chest. Standing inside the room...was Xavier Kane and standing before him...was Freya Morgan.

For a moment I rubbed my eyes and looked again. Xavier gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from Freya's face. God No… this couldn't be real. The same gentle gesture, the same smile, the same eyes that had always looked at me but now they were looking at her.

"You worry too much," Xavier said softly.

Freya looked into his eyes. "And Liana?"

Xavier's expression turned cold. "By tomorrow, she won't be a problem anymore."

Freya didn't answer with words. She just laughed — the same laugh I'd heard across a hundred birthdays, a hundred sleepovers, now aimed somewhere I never thought it could go.

Xavier gently cupped her face. "I promised you, didn't I? Soon, it will just be the two of us."

Without another word, he leaned down and kissed her. Freya wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

Something in me just broke. I bit the inside of my cheek so hard it started bleeding, just to keep myself from making a sound. The ring on my finger suddenly felt heavier than ever.

It felt like it was only yesterday that he had gotten down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

A tear rolled down my cheek, then another. I quickly covered my mouth, forcing the sob back as I listened for any movement from the room.

My mind filled with memories of Freya—our birthdays, the secrets we'd whispered to each other, the nights we'd stayed up talking until morning. I could still hear her laughter. See her smile. Feel the warmth of every hug.

My fingers brushed against the wedding ring on my hand. I stared at it for a second before ripping it off.

I turned and ran. My eyes were burning and I could barely see where I was going. My elbow hit a vase, sending it crashing to the floor.

"Who's there?" Xavier called behind me.

I didn't stop. My footsteps echoed down the hallway as I pushed myself to run faster. I couldn't let them see me.

Behind me, I heard Freya call my name.

"Liana! Where are you?"

I got into my car and drove away. The wind dried my tears but I still couldn't breathe right. Freya and I were supposed to be laughing together tonight, just like we always did. I could almost hear her teasing me about my wedding dress and the plans we'd made for the evening.

But all I could see was Freya standing close to Xavier, her fingers brushing his arm as she smiled at him. "How could you, Freya?" I whispered. That snake.

***

I wiped my face with the back of my palm and stared out the window, trying to breathe.”My eyes drifted toward the clock on the wall. The hour hand was creeping closer to the time I had been dreading. Somewhere outside, cars were already arriving, and through the window, I could hear the faint sounds of people moving around the house. Grandpa had left earlier, leaving me alone with the silence of the room and the white dress waiting nearby.

If I ran now, everything he'd spent forty years building went with me. I could survive a broken heart. I wasn't sure I could survive watching him lose everything else because of it.

My phone suddenly buzzed. I looked down, and Xavier's name appeared on the screen.

"Liana, where are you? The wedding is about to start."

Before I could even type a reply, my phone started ringing again. Freya's name lit up the screen.

I stared at it, my thumb hovering over the answer button. The memory of what I had seen flashed through my mind. My jaw tightened.

I scoffed and declined the call. "Birds of a feather flock together," I muttered, tossing my phone onto the bed.

I faced the mirror, smoothing my trembling fingers over the folds of my wedding dress. My reflection stared back at me, a smile stretched across my lips while my eyes remained cold.

I tilted my head, studying the woman in the mirror.

Then I straightened my shoulders.

The smile on my lips deepened.

I picked up my veil, placed it carefully over my hair, and turned away from the mirror. My footsteps were steady as I walked toward the door.

Whatever waited for me beyond it, I would meet it with that same smile.

A few minutes later, I picked up my bouquet and walked downstairs.

My heels tapped against the marble floor, the sound echoing through the empty hallway. No voices. No laughter. Even the kitchen was quiet, and it's usually full of noise from the maids.

The maids stood along the corridor and smiled politely as I passed. I returned each one with a small smile of my own, keeping my fingers wrapped tightly around the bouquet.

Outside the gate, a black luxury car waited.

The driver stepped out and opened the back door.

"Good morning, Miss Hart."

"Good morning."

I gave him a small nod before sliding into the back seat.

The door shut, and the car pulled away.

I turned toward the window, my fingers still curled around the bouquet. I watched the mansion get smaller and smaller until the gates were gone.”The city gradually faded, the busy streets giving way to long, empty roads lined with towering trees.

I frowned. This wasn't the route to the wedding venue.

I leaned forward slightly. "Excuse me… I think you've taken the wrong road."

The driver didn't answer. "Sir?" Still nothing.

I reached for the door handle, but before I could pull it, a soft click sounded. The doors locked. My eyes widened as I slowly looked toward the rearview mirror. The driver's eyes met mine, and he smirked.