All Chapters of Abyss.: Chapter 31 - Chapter 35

Today was Camille’s engagement day, and the apartment was buzzing with quiet chaos. Dresses lay sprawled across the bed, makeup palettes were open on the vanity, and glittering jewelry boxes had spilled their contents. Camille stood in front of the mirror, trying to steady her racing heart, and I sat on the edge of the mattress holding up two pairs of earrings.“Hoops or sapphires?” I asked, holding each up.“Hoops,” she said, reaching for the delicate gold ones. “Simple. I don’t want to overshadow the ring.”I smiled, fastening them carefully. “Good choice. You’ll shine no matter what.”She laughed, a little breathless. “Can you believe it? Me, engaged. After all those bad dates, all that heartbreak… I found someone who makes me feel safe. Like I can finally breathe.”“You deserve that, Camille,” I said softly. “You really do.”We spent the next hour fussing, adjusting hems, spritzing perfume, checking shoes, and practicing her “surprised” expression for Juan’s proposal. Every time

The afternoon light in the Paris hotel suite was soft and flattering, pouring through the tall windows like liquid gold. I sat perfectly still in the makeup chair, heart fluttering with a mix of nerves and excitement. The campaign event for Luxe Éclat was in forty-five minutes, and I was about to step onto the stage as the face of Banderas Étoile for the first time.The French makeup artist, a tall man named Pierre with a gentle touch and a sharp eye, was putting the final touches on my face. He stepped back, admiring his work.“You have the perfect nose shape,” he said with a warm smile. “It frames everything so beautifully.”I smiled back, a little shy. “Thank you.”“And done.” He set down the brush with a flourish.I turned to the mirror and caught my breath.The makeup was flawless, soft smoky eyes that made my gaze look deeper, a subtle glow on my cheeks, and lips painted a rich rose that felt both elegant and bold. My red hair was styled in loose waves cascading over one shoul

I slammed my fist onto the desk, the wood cracking under my grip. The CCTV footage burned in my mind, frame by frame, the fire, the smoke, the chaos… and him. Lucas. My chest tightened, rage and disbelief warring in every pulse.How could he? How could he be behind this? The man I, even Isabelle, had once considered a friend… someone she’d trusted, someone who had stood by her through everything.The office was too quiet. My phone was in my hand, the screen lighting up with every attempt, every call to Isabelle. Five times. Ten times. Nothing. Not a ring, not a voicemail, not even a buzz. Just… unavailable. My chest tightened.“I can’t believe he could do something like this,” Juan muttered, pacing behind me. “He’s her best friend. How could he..”I didn’t answer. My eyes were glued to the screen, every second stretching like a lifetime. My hands curled into fists, nails digging into my palms.Carlos stood beside the desk, arms crossed, lips tight. “I wonder what she’ll think when sh