Chapter Five

The First Crack

Jason Carter stared at his phone for the third time that morning.

Selina’s number was still unreachable.

Not that it mattered.

The wedding was already ruined.

The invitations had been sent, the hall booked, the guests ready—and then everything collapsed overnight.

Jason ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

Across the living room, Lila watched him carefully.

“You’re still thinking about her?” she asked.

Jason frowned.

“I’m thinking about the mess she caused.”

Lila crossed her arms.

“Selina left. That was her choice.”

Jason scoffed.

“After what she did yesterday?”

Lila’s expression darkened slightly.

The video.

She still couldn’t believe Selina had done that.

Sleeping with her boyfriend was one thing.

But recording it and sending it directly to her phone?

That was humiliation.

Public humiliation.

“She’s crazy,” Lila muttered.

Jason didn’t answer.

Because deep down, something bothered him.

Selina had always been calm.

Quiet.

Loyal.

The woman he knew would never do something that reckless.

So why did she?

Jason grabbed his jacket.

“I’m going out.”

“Where?”

“To clear my head.”

But the truth was different.

Jason wanted answers.

Across the ocean in London, Selina was standing in front of the mirror in her hotel room.

She was getting ready.

Her phone buzzed on the table.

Adrian Carter:

Dinner tonight?

Selina stared at the message.

Her plan was moving forward faster than she expected.

She typed back.

Sure.

Then she set the phone down.

Her reflection looked calm.

Confident.

But inside, her thoughts were tangled.

The night before had been… different.

Adrian wasn’t like the men she usually met.

He was observant.

Quiet.

And the way he looked at her sometimes made her feel like he could see straight through her lies.

Selina shook her head slightly.

It didn’t matter.

She reminded herself why she came here.

Jason.

The betrayal.

The humiliation.

Revenge.

Adrian was simply part of the process.

Nothing more.

Still…

Her mind drifted back to the moment outside the hotel.

When Adrian almost kissed her.

Her heartbeat quickened again.

Selina grabbed her bag quickly.

No.

She couldn’t allow herself to think like that.

This was revenge.

Not romance.

Meanwhile, Adrian was sitting in his office when his phone rang.

The screen showed a familiar name.

Jason.

Adrian sighed before answering.

“Jason.”

“Adrian, finally.”

“You rarely call unless something is wrong.”

Jason laughed dryly.

“You always know.”

“What happened?”

There was a short silence.

Then Jason said,

“My wedding didn’t happen.”

Adrian frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“It collapsed.”

Adrian sat up straighter.

“You’re serious?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?”

Jason hesitated.

“It’s complicated.”

Adrian rubbed his temple.

“When is it ever simple with you?”

Jason ignored that.

“She left.”

“Your fiancée?”

“Yes.”

Adrian leaned back.

“That doesn’t sound like the full story.”

“It’s not.”

Jason exhaled heavily.

“She caught me with someone.”

Adrian closed his eyes briefly.

Of course.

Jason had always been reckless.

“You cheated the night before your wedding?”

“It wasn’t supposed to happen like that.”

Adrian shook his head.

“You never learn.”

“Adrian, don’t start.”

“I’m not starting anything. You created the problem yourself.”

Jason stayed silent.

Then he asked,

“Anyway… how are things in London?”

Adrian glanced out the window.

“Busy as always.”

“You seeing anyone?”

The question was casual.

But Adrian paused slightly before answering.

“Maybe.”

Jason chuckled.

“Well look at that. My serious older brother finally dating.”

Adrian didn’t respond.

“Who is she?” Jason asked.

“Just someone I met.”

Jason laughed again.

“You better introduce her someday.”

Adrian’s gaze darkened slightly.

“Maybe.”

Neither of them realized how dangerous that conversation truly was.

Because if Jason knew the truth…

Everything would explode.

Later that evening, Selina arrived at the restaurant Adrian chose.

This time it was smaller.

More private.

Adrian was already there.

When he saw her walk in, he stood up immediately.

“You’re early.”

Selina smiled.

“So are you.”

They sat down.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Adrian said,

“My brother called today.”

Selina’s heart skipped.

But she kept her expression calm.

“Oh?”

“Yes.”

“What did he want?”

Adrian studied her carefully.

“His wedding was canceled.”

Selina’s fingers tightened under the table.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Adrian shrugged slightly.

“He cheated on his fiancée.”

Selina forced herself not to react.

Adrian continued,

“Apparently she left him.”

Selina nodded slowly.

“That’s understandable.”

Adrian looked directly at her.

“You sound like you approve.”

Selina met his gaze.

“I believe people deserve consequences.”

Adrian watched her for a long moment.

“You speak like someone who has been betrayed.”

Selina didn’t answer immediately.

Finally she said softly,

“Maybe I have.”

Something passed through Adrian’s expression then.

Understanding.

He didn’t ask further.

Instead he changed the subject.

“Let’s talk about something less depressing.”

Selina laughed slightly.

“Good idea.”

Dinner went smoothly again.

But the tension between them had grown stronger.

Every glance lingered longer.

Every conversation felt more personal.

By the time they stepped outside, the night air felt warmer than before.

They stopped near Adrian’s car.

Selina looked up at him.

“You know,” she said lightly, “we’ve had dinner twice now.”

“Yes.”

“That almost sounds like dating.”

Adrian stepped closer.

“Does that bother you?”

Selina shook her head slowly.

“No.”

Adrian’s voice dropped slightly.

“Good.”

This time, when he moved closer, Selina didn’t hesitate.

The distance between them disappeared.

His hand gently touched her waist.

And then he kissed her.

It was slow at first.

Careful.

But the moment their lips met, something powerful sparked between them.

Something neither of them expected.

When they finally pulled apart, Selina’s breathing was slightly uneven.

Adrian looked at her intensely.

“You’re dangerous,” he murmured.

Selina gave a small smile.

“You have no idea.”

And for the first time since her revenge began…

Selina realized something terrifying.

She wasn’t just playing a game anymore.

Because somewhere along the way…

Her heart had started getting involved.

And if Adrian ever discovered the truth—

That she came into his life only to hurt his brother—

The consequences would destroy them both.