Chapter 1

The night Nathan finally received the miracle he'd prayed for all his life...

was the same night fate ruined it.

———

The birthday party was in full swing that evening. The Ivanovs never celebrated Mikhail's birthday without Nathan. Born on the same day only hours apart, the two had grown up like brothers.

At least, that was what everyone believed.

A loud pop music blasted through the speakers as people danced, laughed, and drank in the grand living room of the mansion.

"Happy birthday, man," Reiner, a guy from Nathan's department, wished him, giving him a firm pat on the back.

Nathan winced, managing a small smile.

"Thank you," he said, glancing round the hall for Mikhail. "Enjoy!" He added, as he watched Reiner walk towards the dance floor with his his hands in the air.

A scoff slipped past his lips.

So energetic.

His elbow came to rest on the tall table as he took another look around, wondering where Mikhail had disappeared to.

The birthday cake was about to be cut and he had to be present. Reaching for his drink, he sighed and took a slow sip.

Just as he did, the music stopped, throwing the hall into silence, and the lights turned off in sync, except for one which was fixed on the top of the stairs that led to the floor above.

Nathan set his glass down, slicing his gaze to where the only light in the hall was pointing to, confusion lacing his expression.

And standing there was Mikhail, and...

Elena.

Shivers ran down his spine as his eyes darted between the two, dread coiling tight in his stomach.

Mikhail brought a mic to his mouth, his hand firm on Elena's back as they slowly descended the stairs.

"Good evening, everyone," he started, his voice gruff, soft in the way he'd always admired, except now it made his chest tighten.

A small smile played on his lips as it did on Elena's. Though hers was brighter, complemented by the rosy shine of her lip gloss.

Elena—a student from the Department of Linguistics—looked graceful beside him. Her royal-purple gown matched Mikhail's suit so perfectly that they looked like they'd stepped out of a fairy tale.

Nathan's hands shook, his heart battering his ribs like a trapped bird. His mind swirled with a thousand questions.

"I'm sure we're all here to celebrate Nathan's and my birthday party."

The crowd turned to Nathan, cheering, and he shifted awkwardly, his smile half-hearted as he tried to even his breaths.

Boy, would it be great if the ground opened up and swallowed him right now.

"But, please forgive me for I have an important announcement to make," Mikhail continued, as he and Elena reached the base of the stairs.

Nathan already knew.

But knowing didn't make it hurt less.

Hot tears formed at the corners of his eyes and his lips trembled slightly as Mikhail's gaze fixed onto him again.

Though, he didn't dare let any drop fall.

"Elena is my fated mate."

He froze. Everything did, actually. It was like all the sounds had been vacuumed out of his ear, leaving only the deafening thumps of his heart.

The music turned back on and the whole crowd went wild, their roars filling the air. They hit the tables and flailed their arms in the air excitedly.

But Nathan?

He turned away, letting the tears fall freely.

His knees felt weak as he walked, the tears slipping down his cheeks faster now. He brought a hand to his mouth, trying to muffle the sounds, but they crawled out, ugly, ragged, shaking his body.

It didn't matter. His cries faded into the chaos much like he did.

He'd always known Mikhail could never be his.

Even so, he'd clung to one impossible hope.

If Mikhail was tied to him, then he'd have no other choice but to be with him.

It was a selfish thought.

He'd prayed endlessly up until his twentieth birthday for Mikhail to be tied to him, but...

Fate had a way of crushing a man.

His sobs echoed through the empty hallway as he staggered through it, hand gripping the wall for support.

Then, he collapsed to the floor and a devastated scream slipped out, reverberating off the walls. Fueled by the pain of waiting years for him, only for him to be tied to someone else.

And almost instantly, his heart began pounding. It was different this time, desperate as though it wanted to break through his ribs.

An inexplicable heat followed as if his veins had been set on fire.

"Arghhh!" He screamed, the pain raw in his voice.

His left wrist burned with this searing sensation, like it was being sawed off and blow-torched simultaneously.

And Nathan's stomach dropped for a second time. He lay still on the ground, groaning and whimpering, clutching his wrist as though it'd stop this burning sensation.

But just as spontaneously as it started, it ended.

Nathan's chest rose and fell rapidly, his hand uncurling around his wrist, his mind racing confusedly.

He got up slowly and glanced down at his wrist.

Then, his eyes flicked wide.

A red string.

His gaze lingered on the glowing shade of red, a metaphysical rope that wrapped around his wrist.

Just as he was about processing the scene, he trailed the extended part of it, his eyes widening further as it disappeared under the door to a room.

Click!

His head snapped up, and standing before him was...

Valentino.

The other end of the string was tied to him.

His blood ran cold.

Was this fate's way of punishing him for wishing for things he could never have?

Because somehow... the other end of his red string belonged to his best friend's older brother.