Anastasia's POVThe grand estate loomed before me; a vision of opulence bathed in the warm glow of a thousand twinkling lights. Lush gardens, meticulously manicured, flanked the sprawling mansion, and I could see guests and prominent conglomerate families making their way inside, their laughter and chatter filling the air.The driver, sent by my grandfather, pulled the car around to a discreet entrance at the back. As I stepped out, a woman in a crisp uniform materialized at my side. Her smile was polite, her hair was pulled back in a tight bun."Miss Anastasia," she greeted, her voice smooth as silk, "please follow me."I was a vision in red – a long, flowing halterneck gown that hugged my curves perfectly, red stilettos that clicked softly against the polished marble floor, and even my lips and nails matched the fiery shade. But despite the glamorous facade, I felt anything but. Nausea churned in my stomach, and a cold sweat slicked my palms. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to
Our family scattered like well-rehearsed performers, each drawn into conversations with different groups of guests. Regan and I found ourselves in the center of the room, surrounded by a cluster of people who seemed more interested in gushing praise than having a genuine conversation. I forced smiles, answering their questions with as much grace as I could muster."You look absolutely stunning tonight, Anastasia," a woman with elaborately styled copper hair and a dress dripping with diamonds fawned over me. "And so radiant together! A Montreal and a Del Valle, a match made in business heaven, some might say.""Thank you," I replied, my smile strained but practiced. The woman, whose name I couldn't recall, continued to chatter, but my attention had drifted. Dread dropped on my stomach as I spotted a familiar blonde head making its way through the crowd.Zarina, her blonde hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, approached our group, a smug smile plastered on her face. Beside h
I looked away, trying to focus on another guest who had come to speak with us. The woman, a socialite named Mrs. Harrison, was animatedly discussing their latest charity event."Anastasia, you simply must join us next month. It’s for a wonderful cause. We’re raising funds for children’s hospitals.""That sounds lovely. I’ll see if I can make it."Meanwhile, Regan seemed distracted, his eyes constantly darting around the room. He barely acknowledged Mrs. Harrison’s husband, who was talking about his new business venture."...and that’s why we’re investing heavily in renewable energy," Mr. Harrison was saying. "It’s the future, don’t you agree, Regan?"Regan snapped back to attention. "Yes, absolutely," He glanced at me, then back at the door.Mrs. Harrison looked at Regan with concern. "You seem a bit preoccupied, Mr. Del Valle. Is everything all right?"Regan cleared his throat, his face flushing slightly. "I apologize, Mrs. Harrison. Just a lot on my mind at the moment. Excuse me fo
My gaze darted towards the doorway, a desperate hope that Regan might somehow show up and intervene. And then, as if on cue, the doors swung open, revealing both Regan and Zarina stepping through the threshold. They entered side-by-side, their expressions unreadable. Regan's eyes met mine, surprise replaced by worry crossing his features.The world seemed to tilt on its axis. My breath hitched in my throat, a strangled gasp that escaped my lips before I could stifle it. Pain, raw and searing, ripped through my chest. My mind was a chaotic mess. Hurt mingled with anger.Before I could even contemplate a response, the emcee called my name again, his voice booming through the silent hall. "Miss Anastasia?"A hand, cool and firm, materialized on my arm. I looked down to see my stepmother, her face plastered with a wide, predatory smile. The smile didn't reach her eyes, though, and the grip on my arm was like a vice, her perfectly manicured nails digging into my flesh. I knew ex
A flicker of movement on the edge of the stage caught my eye. The band members exchanged confused glances. Then, a familiar face emerged from the shadows – the old man from my music school, his kind eyes crinkled in a smile that held a lifetime of understanding. It was a small gesture, but it was enough.Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Taking a deep breath, I raised my trembling hands and hovered them over the cool ivory keys. The music book in front of me lay open, displaying the familiar score of "Moonlight Sonata."In that moment, guided by the raw ache in my heart, I began to play. The first notes were hesitant. But as I poured my emotions into the music, the pain of loving Regan, the bitter sting of betrayal, a transformation began to take place. The gasps of surprise from the audience, the almost imperceptible click of hundreds of cameras capturing the moment – all faded into the background.Tears streamed down my cheeks; each note a raw expression of the pain I
I wiped my tears away with trembling hands and looked at him. Regan’s jaw was clenched, his face grim and unreadable. Yet, there was something in his eyes—an unspoken emotion that made my heart ache even more. He walked over to me, each step heavy with hesitation, and reached out a hand. His fingers brushed against the red mark on my cheek with a gentleness that belied the chaos around us.My eyes met his, brimming with tears and pain.“Anastasia,” he began, his voice raw and full of regret. “I’m so—”But he couldn’t finish. A voice cut through us like a knife, sharp and demanding.“Regan!”We both turned, startled, to see Zarina standing in the hallway, her arms crossed and her expression cold. Her voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.“I need to talk to you. Now.”Regan hesitated, his gaze flickering back to me. His hand dropped to his side, leaving the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin.“Zarina, not now,” he said firmly, his voice carrying an edge of irritation.“P
Sheila’s POVThe door to the operating room swung open with a soft hiss, releasing a waft of sterile air tinged with antiseptic. I stepped out, still clad in green scrubs, my hands trembling faintly from the adrenaline of the past hours. Tugging off the blue net cap, I raked a hand through my sweat-damp hair, my chest tightening as the weight of what just happened began to settle in."Dr. Cortez," a nurse called out as she hurried toward me. "The patient's family is here waiting outside."I froze, my brow furrowing. "Family? Are you sure about that?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, the lingering edge of fear and exhaustion bleeding through.It wasn’t uncommon for patients to arrive at the hospital without anyone. But Anastasia... Anastasia’s world was complicated. Her family was complicated."Yes, Doctor," she replied softly, her eyes glancing briefly at the operating room doors behind me. "They're asking about her condition."My heart thudded painfully in my chest, the gho
Sheila's POVMy chest burned with anger—a fire that had been simmering since the day I discovered that he was cheating with his wife—with my best friend. The sight of him now only fanned the flames.“This is your fault,” I spat, the words slicing through the tense silence like a blade. My voice trembled, heavy with fury and grief. “You need to leave. Now.”Regan flinched as though I’d struck him. His face twisted, his stormy eyes filling with guilt and something that might have been pain. But then, he straightened. His shoulders slumped moments ago, squared slightly as he took a deep, steadying breath. The shift in his posture sent a jolt of fury through me.“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, his voice rough but firm. “I need to see Anastasia.”I stared at him, stunned by his audacity. His gaze was firm now, though his face still bore the marks of exhaustion.“Absolutely not,” I snapped, stepping forward to block his path. “You’re not going anywhere near her, Regan. She doesn’t need y
A few feet away, a guy swung off a gorgeous black and chrome motorcycle, pulling off his helmet in one smooth, practiced motion. He shook out messy, dark hair that flopped slightly over his forehead, then casually tapped at his phone, probably answering some boring business call.He was tall, lean but broad-shouldered, dressed in a fitted white shirt and dark jeans, a silver chain hanging loosely around his neck. He looked effortless—expensive without even trying. His boots were clean but worn, like he actually used them, and his watch probably cost more than most people’s rent.Definitely rich. Definitely reckless enough to park a beauty like that out here.As I crept closer, pretending to scroll on my phone, I caught him speaking into his call."Yeah, it's Alex Wright. I'll be there in five."Alex Wright.Cute name for a cute face.Too bad for him.I sauntered right up to him, still casually puffing on the cigarette
Phoenix’s POV(New Character Unlocked!)The airport was a blur behind me, nothing but noise, dragging suitcases, and a few too many side-eyes at my rainbow hair. I couldn't care less. Let them stare. I'd dye it neon green next time, just to spite them.Phoenix Alvira Saavedra.Protector of blood.I had barely tossed my designer duffel into the passenger seat of my sleek black Porsche 911 Turbo S before I was tearing out of the airport driveway, engine roaring like a beast that couldn’t be tamed. No text, no warning. Surprise was half the funWhen I pulled up to the driveway, though, her house was too still, too quiet. Just her maids fluttering nervously at the front door like they were waiting for a bomb to drop."Miss Anastasia is at the park, ma’am," one of them chirped, her voice way too high, her eyes flickering nervously toward my boots and leather jacket.
The gravel crunched beneath our shoes as we followed the winding path deeper into the trees. I tucked my hands into the pockets of my sweater, breathing in the cold, crisp air that somehow still wasn’t enough to clear the fog inside my head.We were still walking quietly when, out of nowhere, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the heavy air.I turned my head and there she was—Zarina.I felt Ava stiffen beside me immediately, ready for whatever was about to happen. Thankfully, the park had already begun to empty. The sun was sinking, and there were no curious bystanders.Zarina's steps were quick and sharp, her heels clicking with every furious stride until she stood a few feet away. Her doe-like eyes pinned me like a dagger, full of rage."You really have some nerve," Zarina hissed. She stepped forward, hand twitching at her side, and for a split second, I saw her hand lift—as if she were seriously considering slapping me.But Ava was faste
When I finally reached outside, the heavy doors of the terrace yard shutting behind me, the first tear slipped down my cheek before I could even stop it. Another followed, and another, until my vision blurred.Ava and Sheila rushed toward me the second they saw me, their faces etched with worry. Ava gripped my arm gently, her brows furrowed as she tried to catch my gaze."Anastasia, what happened? Are you okay? What’s wrong?" she asked urgently, her voice rising with panic.Sheila hovered close, her hand resting lightly on my back, grounding me, waiting for me to say something, anything. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t even form the words."I just..." I croaked out, blinking furiously against the tears still spilling freely down my face. "I just want to get out of here. Please."That was all I said. And that was all they needed.Without a word, Sheila nodded fiercely, wrapping an arm around me as they guided me quickly back to t
The wind stirred again, stronger this time, whipping strands of my hair around my face, making the hem of my dress flutter wildly against my knees. I tucked the loose hair behind my ear again, but it was pointless—the breeze only pulled it free a moment later. It was as if even the world itself refused to let this moment be still.Regan shifted, his jaw clenching, the warmth that had flickered briefly in his eyes vanishing. His shoulders stiffened, his whole posture changing, becoming closed off—cold. The sharpness in his expression was unmistakable now, like my presence alone was grating against him.“Well?" he said, his voice tight, clipped. "What do you want to say, Anastasia? Why couldn't you just say it over the phone like a normal person?"The way he said my name—sharp, almost annoyed—stung more than I cared to admit. I felt the words catch in my throat for a second, but I swallowed them down, forcing myself to speak without letting my voice crack.
I saw his expression shift instantly—surprise flashing across his handsome features, confusion knitting into the crease of his brow. Without a word, he took a few slow steps forward, each one deliberate, closing the distance between us until we stood face to face.And there we were. Breathing the same air. Yet feeling worlds apart.My palms grew clammy, fingers instinctively tightening around the soft fabric of my dress. My heart beat faster, almost painfully, each thud a wild drum against my ribs. I could feel the panic blooming quietly inside me, spreading its tremors into my bones, rooting my feet to the ground.The silence between us was deafening. Neither of us spoke. Neither of us moved.We just stared at each other, locked in this strange moment, as if any wrong move would shatter whatever was holding us together—or perhaps, whatever was left. It was the first time we had seen each other again after that confrontation in our house. The time I saw him sleeping with Zarina, the t
The car slowed to a stop at the edge of the Garden Café's private entrance.It was exactly how I had requested it. Empty. Private.The building itself was beautiful—a modern, elegant glass structure with wide-open archways leading to a sprawling outdoor yard that overlooked the city below. The afternoon sun painted the stone path golden, and a light breeze teased the white drapes framing the open terrace. The view was breathtaking, but even the beauty of it couldn’t settle the pounding in my chest.Ava killed the engine, pulling her sunglasses down and peering around skeptically. "Well. It’s a graveyard. Very fitting for whatever dramatic conversation you’re about to have."Sheila shifted nervously in her seat, glancing at me. "You sure you wanna do this alone, Stasia? We can wait inside. Hide behind a plant. Throw things if he says something stupid."I laughed under my breath, touched beyond words. I reached over, squeezing Sheila’s hand and then Ava’s shoulder. "No. I need to do th
The low sound of the engine filled the car, a background noise against the sound of traffic outside. Ava was behind the wheel, her sunglasses perched on her nose, one hand casually resting at twelve o'clock on the steering wheel. Her hair—that wild ginger bun—bounced slightly every time we hit a bump. Sheila was in the passenger seat, legs tucked up like a kid, fiddling with the radio stations every five seconds and earning glares from Ava.And me?I was curled up in the backseat, leaning against the window, staring out at the blur of the city as it rushed past. It should have been a normal car ride. It should have felt like any other day.But it didn’t.Because today...Today I was going to face Regan again."Are you sure you’ll be okay, Tasia?" Sheila asked for what felt like the millionth time, twisting halfway in her seat to look at me.I smiled faintly, "Yes, I’ll be fine."Ava snorted loudly, adjusting her grip o
Sheila laughed and shoved her playfully. "Please, I’m the life of this party. You’re the sidekick, four-eyes.""Four-eyes? Bold words coming from someone who tripped over a flat sidewalk last week!"Sheila scowled. "Did Tasia tell you that? It was uneven!""It was flat," Ava shot back without missing a beat. "Gravity personally requested you fall over to entertain the public."I couldn't stop laughing, hiding my face behind my hand as the two of them bickered like no time had passed at all. It was chaotic, it was loud, it was messy—And it was home.Sheila turned to me with an exaggerated sigh. "You see what I put up with? You should pay me hazard fees just for being friends with her."Ava rolled her eyes and leaned casually against the table. "Yeah, yeah. You’re welcome for making your life interesting."Susan and Elise were trying—and failing—to hide their giggles as they discreetly stepped