I froze outside the ornate doors of the gathering hall, my hand trembling around the receipt of the all expense paid trip to Maldives . I had spent months saving for, believing it to be the perfect gift for Kael—a symbol of my loyalty and love. It was just a simple trip, something any normal woman would give to a man who meant the world to her. I hadn’t imagined it would be the last thing I’d offer him before everything fell apart.

I had hoped it would make him smile, maybe even appreciate the effort I had put into it. But now, standing there, it felt meaningless.

“Kael, come on,” a voice interrupted my thoughts. It was James— Kael's friend I hadn't seen in years. His laughter sent a shiver down my spine. “Does she even know you were planning on claiming Selene?”

Claim Selene? What did that even mean?

Kael’s voice followed, tinged with annoyance. “She doesn’t need to know anything about it.”

But the words echoed in my mind like a distant drumbeat. Claim Selene? Who was Selene? And why would Kael refer to her that way? I had no idea what was going on, but something in my gut told me it wasn’t good.

Jame’s laughter rang through the hall again. “Come on, Kael. You’re not really going to let her stay here, are you? The whole thing was a joke from the start, wasn’t it?”

“ What do you think would happen if her brother finds out what you are doing with her ?” Another voice asks.

I didn’t hear Kael’s response, because something inside me snapped. I couldn’t stay there any longer. I felt dizzy, the walls closing in, as the voices blurred into a hum. All I could focus on was the way Kael spoke about me and him knowing my brother.Who told him?

I stumbled back toward the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. I barely noticed the envelope slipping from my hands, falling to the floor with a light thud as I reached the exit.

I ran.

Later That Night

I barely registered the passage of time before I found myself in my room, leaning against the door. My body ached with exhaustion, but my mind was running a thousand miles an hour. What had I just overheard? Who was Selene, and why had Kael talked about her like that?

I thought about how he had always been so distant, so controlled. Was I just another thing for him to play with? Just something to pass the time until Selene returned?

The thought made my stomach churn, but I couldn’t let myself believe it. No, I had to be wrong. Kael loved me, didn’t he?

The door creaked open, and Kael’s familiar scent—musky and warm—filled the room.

“Talia?” His voice was soft, but it carried an edge. “What happened? Why did you not come again?”

I barely turned to look at him, unable to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry. I could not get off work.”

He stepped closer, his shadow looming over me. “You’ve been working too hard. Let’s go to the dinner tomorrow, and we can talk then. Maybe it’ll help clear your mind.”

His words, once comforting, now felt like empty promises. He hadn’t even noticed. He hadn’t even asked what had really happened. He didn’t know that everything had changed.

“I’m not hungry,” I said softly, looking down at the floor, avoiding his gaze.

“You should eat. I don’t like seeing you like this.”

I could hear the concern in his voice, but it wasn’t enough to cover the emptiness that was creeping into my soul. It was all falling apart, and Kael had no idea.

I wanted to say so much, but instead, I just nodded.

The Next Evening

The grand hall was filled with an air of celebration. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses barely registered in my mind. Kael was by my side, but I felt like I was in a dream, detached from everything around me. Selene stood across the room, her eyes meeting mine for just a moment before she looked away, her lips curling into a small, satisfied smile. I didn’t understand why it made my heart race, or why it made me feel like I was standing at the edge of something I wasn’t supposed to see.

Kael noticed me staring and took my hand gently. “Don’t worry about her,” he said with a smile. “She’s just a part of the past now.”

I tried to believe him, but something in my chest wouldn’t let me.

I excused myself to the hallway, needing a moment alone to clear my head. But before I could step away, I heard Selene’s voice, smooth and dripping with something that made my skin prickle.

“You know,” she said, her voice coming from the shadows, “he’ll never choose you over me. He never will.”

My throat tightened as I turned to face her. “What do you mean?”

“Kael belongs with me,” she replied coldly. “And you’re just his little distraction.”

Her words hit harder than any slap could. I wanted to scream, to shout, but instead, I stood there frozen. I couldn’t even comprehend the reality of what she was saying. How did she know? Why was she so sure?

“I never wanted this for you, Talia,” Selene said softly, her tone almost pitying. “But if you continue to stay, you’ll only be hurt more. Kael will always come back to me.”

My heart sank, the weight of her words nearly too much to bear. I didn’t want to believe her, but deep down, I could feel it. She was right.

The gym was alive with the rhythmic pounding of fists against punching bags and the low hum of voices. Fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows over the steel equipment and rows of sweating bodies. I lingered by the door, watching Kael’s familiar figure move through the room with calculated ease. His presence was magnetic, commanding the space as though he were born to it.

My chest tightened. It wasn’t the first time I’d admired him from a distance, but this was the first time my admiration came with a bitter aftertaste. The memory of his laughter with James, the words he’d spoken about Selene, and the envelope I had dropped at the gathering hall felt like splinters in my mind.

Selene’s voice echoed in my thoughts, cold and cutting: Kael belongs with me. He always has.

I turned away, unwilling to let him see the turmoil in my eyes. My gaze fell on the polished mirror lining the far wall, reflecting rows of weights, treadmills, and determined faces. My own reflection stared back—tired, pale, and utterly lost.

Why did Selene’s words feel like truth? Why had Kael lied? And how did Adam fit into all of this? I hadn’t seen my brother in years, yet Kael had spoken about him like they were close. The questions circled like vultures, picking at my sanity.

“Lost in thought?”

The voice jolted me, and I turned to find Selene standing a few feet away. Her athletic frame was clad in sleek workout gear, her golden eyes practically glowing under the gym lights. She smirked, an expression that set my teeth on edge.

“Enjoying the show?” she asked, tilting her head toward Kael, who was now demonstrating a move to one of the younger men.

I forced my expression to remain neutral. “What do you want, Selene?”

She stepped closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone. “I just thought you should know something. Kael may be good at playing the doting partner, but he’s not as loyal as you think.”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

Her smirk widened. “No, Talia. It’s supposed to prepare you. You’re out of your depth here. Kael and I… we have a history you’ll never understand.”

Her words stung, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. “Funny,” I said evenly. “You talk a lot about the past for someone who clearly doesn’t belong in his present.”

For a moment, her golden eyes narrowed, and I thought I’d struck a nerve. But then she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You should leave before you get hurt. Trust me, you don’t want to know what happens when people like you overstay their welcome.”

I stepped back, my heart pounding, but I kept my expression steady. “People like me?”

She straightened, her smirk returning. “Weak. Human.”

Her words lingered in the air like smoke as she turned and walked away. I stayed rooted to the spot, replaying the exchange in my mind. Selene’s smugness, her cryptic warnings—they only fueled my determination to get to the truth.

Later That Night

The faint sound of footsteps echoed outside my door, and my heart jumped. For a moment, I thought it might be Kael, but the steps passed by, fading into silence.

I decided to go for a walk in the park close to our place , but I ended up at Moonlit Falls River.

The cold night air brushed against my skin as I leaned over the edge of Moonlit Falls’ riverbank. My reflection wavered on the water's surface, the broken image mirroring the cracks spreading through my soul. Seven years of loyalty to Kael, gone in the blink of an eye.

I gripped the silver pendant around my neck, the one he'd given me the night we first met. It had once felt like an anchor, tethering me to something real, something worth fighting for. Now it felt like a noose, tightening with every breath.

The echoes of Selene’s venomous words from the night before replayed in my mind. Her taunts, her smug superiority, and the cruel glint in her golden eyes had been more than just words—they were weapons aimed at my heart.

I’d overheard them. Kael, laughing with his friends about how he’d “settled” for me. The sting of betrayal was worse than any wound I’d ever endured.

I staggered back toward the house, my legs heavy as though the weight of the truth had fused to my bones. Kael’s scent—smoky cedar and musk—lingered faintly in the air. It was a cruel reminder of how deeply ingrained he was in my life.

When I pushed open the door to my quarters, the familiar warmth of the room greeted me, but it no longer felt like home. The bed, the bookshelves, even the delicate moonflowers he'd once planted outside my window—it was all tainted.

I slumped onto the edge of the bed, gripping the sheets as if holding on to the last remnants of my sanity. My chest ached, but I refused to cry. I wouldn’t give them—Kael, Selene, or anyone else—the satisfaction of seeing me broken.

The full moon hung high in the sky, its silver light bathing the house in an ethereal glow. I sat alone in my room, staring at the pendant Kael had given me. Memories flooded my mind—his smile, his promises, the way he’d made me feel like I was his world. Lies.

I picked up my phone, my hands trembling as I scrolled through my contacts. The name "Adam" stared back at me, a reminder of the brother I hadn’t spoken to in years. He was my last hope. My only lifeline.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed the call button. It rang twice before his voice came through, sharp and clear.

“Talia?” His tone was cautious, as though he couldn’t believe it was me. “What’s going on? It’s been forever.”

The familiarity of his voice sent a wave of emotion crashing over me. “I need you, Adam,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “I can’t do this alone anymore.”

There was a long pause before he replied, his tone softer. “Where are you? Tell me, and I’ll come.”

Tears blurred my vision as I gave him the address. For the first time in years, I felt a glimmer of hope—a lifeline in the darkness.

When I hung up, my resolve was simple , I would not be anyone's second choice.

The hotel room was pristine, the kind of luxury I’d only seen in magazines or on TV. Its quiet opulence felt foreign, almost suffocating. I perched on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the crisp white comforter. The weight of the phone call with Adam lingered like a shadow, stirring emotions I couldn’t quite sort out. Relief. Anxiety. Hope.

The knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts. My heart raced as I crossed the room, my hands trembling. A small, irrational part of me feared it was Kael, despite knowing it was impossible.

When I opened the door, the man standing there was not what I expected. He was tall, easily towering over me, with dark hair swept back in perfect disarray and striking green eyes that seemed to pin me in place. He wore a tailored black suit that fit him like a second skin, exuding an air of control and power.

"Miss Talia?" His voice was deep, smooth, and carried a strange kind of authority.

I blinked up at him, unsure how to respond. "Yes?"

"I’m Cole," he said, his gaze never wavering. "Adam sent me to escort you."

Adam sent him? My mind reeled. My brother didn’t come himself? And who was this man, dressed like he belonged on a movie set?

"Escort me where?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady.

"To him," Cole replied simply, stepping aside to reveal a sleek black limousine parked at the curb. The car gleamed under the streetlights, its very presence exuding wealth.

I hesitated, clutching the doorframe. "I... I thought Adam would come himself."

Cole’s expression softened just slightly, though his tone remained calm. "Your brother thought it would be safer this way. He didn’t want to draw attention."

Attention? To what? I glanced back at the lavish room, the pieces of a puzzle I didn’t understand slowly clicking together. The hotel. The limo. This man. Adam had always been ambitious, but the life he’d built in my absence was far beyond anything I’d imagined.

"I don’t understand," I murmured. "Why all this? Why now?"

Cole stepped closer, his presence both calming and unnerving. "All your questions will be answered soon. For now, trust that Adam has your best interests at heart."

Something about his voice, steady and unyielding, made me nod despite the doubts swirling in my chest. Grabbing my bag, I followed him to the car.

Inside, the limo was just as extravagant as I’d expected. Butter-soft leather seats, polished wood paneling, and faint ambient lighting that made the space feel almost otherworldly. Cole slid into the seat across from me, his movements impossibly fluid, like a predator who knew his strength.

"This is... a lot," I admitted, my fingers trailing over the stitching of the seat.

Cole’s lips quirked into the faintest hint of a smile. "The Alpha spares no expense when it comes to family."

The word "family" twisted something in my chest. It had been so long since I’d thought of Adam that way—so long since I’d felt like I had anyone at all.

As the limo glided through the city streets, I stole a glance at Cole. There was something almost unnervingly perfect about him, from his chiseled features to the precise way he carried himself. His suit alone probably cost more than my annual salary.

"Can I ask you something?" I ventured.

"Of course."

"How long have you worked with Adam?"

"Long enough to trust him," he said, his cryptic answer delivered with a practiced ease.

I frowned. "That’s not much of an answer."

He leaned back, his green eyes locking onto mine. "Some things are better left unsaid."

I crossed my arms, frustration bubbling up. "You sound just like him."

For the first time, Cole’s smile widened, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

The limo slowed to a stop, and I realized we’d reached my apartment building.

"I’ll wait here," Cole said, his tone shifting to something more businesslike. "Take only what you need."

Nodding, I stepped out of the car, my hands shaking as I fumbled for my keys. The elevator ride to my floor felt endless, my thoughts spinning with questions.

When I finally stepped into my apartment, the familiar scent of my lavender candles greeted me. The space looked just as I’d left it—small, cluttered, and a stark contrast to the life Adam seemed to be living now.

I grabbed a duffel bag and began stuffing it with essentials, my mind still trying to make sense of everything. How had Adam gone from my ambitious, struggling older brother to... whatever this was?

As I zipped up the bag, a strange sensation washed over me, like I was being watched. I turned toward the window, but the curtains were drawn, and the street below was quiet. Shaking off the unease, I slung the bag over my shoulder and headed back to the limo.

Cole was waiting by the car, his gaze scanning the street with a sharpness that made me pause. He opened the door for me without a word, and I slid back into the luxurious interior.

"Got everything you need?" he asked as the car pulled away from the curb.

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure what I needed anymore.

My phone buzzed , I took it from my bag and saw that someone had sent me a video, and when I played it my heart stopped.

It was Kael and Selena entangled together in my bed , as they writhed in pure ecstasy.

I must have made a sound because Cole snatched the phone from me , looked at the video and then put the phone in his pocket ..

“ Do not concern yourself with the Past Miss Talia , your future awaits”.

"You're right, but I have something to do now."

As I said that, I took the phone back from Cole, and the next second, I forwarded the video Selena sent to my social media. Not only that, I also sent it to Kael and Selena's friends and relatives.

At the same time, I added a postscript: “Congratulations, I wish your adultery will last forever!”

Soon after that, I blocked all contact information of Kael and Selena, then turned off my phone.

This time, I want to find myself again and pursue my own future!