Chapter 2

The moon was high in the sky, and the grand hall of the Blackwood estate was blazing with light.

I stood alone at the edge of the ballroom, watching the lavish scene. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow as members and allies of the Blackwood family mingled, glasses in hand, each wearing a perfect, practiced smile.

I was in a simple yet elegant deep blue velvet gown, a stark contrast to the glittering gowns around me. As a few of the family's young women passed by, they whispered amongst themselves.

"Elara's standing there all alone..."

"Hasn't Julian arrived yet?"

"I heard they're getting engaged soon..."

I emotionlessly raised my champagne flute and took a small sip. In my past life, I would have been nervously smoothing my dress, anxiously watching the entrance for Julian.

But now, I was simply waiting.

Julian finally walked in, dressed in a black tuxedo that made him look more handsome than ever.

But only I knew what a rotten heart beat beneath that perfect suit.

Seraphina was clinging to his arm, wearing a flamboyant, blood-red evening gown.

They really do make a pair, I thought, taking another sip of my drink.

A low murmur went through the crowd. Tradition dictated that Julian should have entered with his fiancée—me.

"Oh, Elara's over there," Seraphina said, as if she'd just noticed me, an innocent look on her face. "Julian, shouldn't you go keep her company?"

Julian glanced in my direction, a flicker of something in his eyes, before saying dismissively, "She's fine on her own. Elara has always been independent."

A few young men let out quiet laughs.

I remained where I was, my face a blank canvas. This seemed to annoy Julian, as his brow furrowed slightly.

The music started again, and Julian led Seraphina to the center of the dance floor. They moved with a natural grace, as if born to dance together. The crowd parted for them, all eyes on the couple.

"Elara, aren't you angry?"

I turned to see Vivian, the family's second daughter. She was in a purple dress, her face practically glowing with the promise of drama.

"Why would I be?" I asked.

"Your fiancé is dancing with another woman, and he was so late..." Vivian was fishing for a reaction. "Everyone is staring."

"Then let them stare," I said calmly.

Vivian, clearly not expecting such a response, walked away in disappointment.

When the song ended, Julian and Seraphina approached. Julian had a playful smirk on his face.

"You seem very calm, Elara," he said, stopping in front of me. "I thought you'd be furious."

"Why would I be?"

My composure was clearly getting under his skin. A flash of anger crossed his eyes.

"You're right. After all, you'll soon be part of the Blackwood family," he said, pulling a small, exquisite box from his pocket. "This is for you."

Inside lay an old, blood-red pendant that gave off an eerie glow.

"This is..."

"A family tradition," Julian said, his voice rising to draw the attention of those nearby. "This pendant is a gift for the future lady of the Blackwood family. The style is a bit dated, but I'm sure you'll like it."

I stared at the pendant. In my past life, Julian had given me the same thing, and I had been moved to tears. I only learned later it was one of the cheapest trinkets from the family vault.

"Wow, it's beautiful!" Seraphina suddenly exclaimed, reaching out. "That pendant is so special. The red is... it's as beautiful as blood!"

Her fingers caressed the pendant, her eyes filled with desire.

"You like it?" Julian asked Seraphina, his voice softening.

"I... of course I do, but it's for Elara..." Seraphina bit her lip, playing the part of someone tragically wanting something she couldn't have.

Julian looked at me, then back at Seraphina, and suddenly smiled.

"Well, if Seraphina likes it so much..." He reached in and took the pendant. "Then it's yours."

He fastened the pendant around Seraphina's neck himself.

Whispers erupted around us.

"Julian just gave his fiancée's gift to someone else..."

"Look at Elara's face..."

"That's going too far..."

Memories of my past life flooded back. Back then, I had burst into tears and run out of the ballroom, becoming the laughingstock of the family.

But now, I just watched it all unfold in silence.

"Elara, aren't you going to say something?" Julian asked, his eyes challenging me.

"It suits her," I said.

Julian’s expression froze. This was not the reaction he'd been hoping for.

"I'm a little tired. I'll be leaving now," I said, turning to go.

"Stop," Julian's voice was suddenly ice. "You're just going to walk away?"

I stopped and turned back to him.

"What else?"

"Do you have any idea how disrespectful you're being?" he said, stalking toward me, his face dark. "You should be grateful I'm willing to marry you, not giving me this attitude."

"Grateful?" I laughed. "For what?"

"For giving you the chance to marry into the Blackwood family!" Julian's voice rose. "Who else do you think would have you?"

The crowd fell silent, all eyes on the confrontation.

"You think any of those other suitors were real?" Julian continued. "Marcus? He just wants your family's assets. William? He wouldn't look twice at you. And as for the others..."

He paused, a vicious glint in his eye.

"Like my useless brother, Damien. You're not naive enough to think he's an option, are you?" Julian sneered. "A cripple who can barely stand. Damaged goods. The man could drop dead any second. You want to marry him just to be a widow before the ink is dry?"

The hall was dead silent.

Everyone was waiting to see how I would react.