tried everything-anger, threats, guilt-but I refused to change my decision. My stepmother called me se

entually, they realized they couldn't force me to sign the transfer papers. So t

ront of the mirror in my room, adjusting the simple black dress I had chosen for the evenin

expected me to be. Tonight was the Kingsley Charity Gala. A hi

th my family. But the first time I attended... I me

n Kin

ng tighten in my chest because of the stran

e had never truly been close. At lea

rings from the dresser an

er part was guilt. Because Lily had liked him first. Or at least, that's what she told me. So I convinced

had been. If Lily truly loved him, she

ownstairs. "Serena!

e lea

grabbed my small evening ba

er in the front seats, while Lily sat beside me in the back. She kept glanci

nore

toward the Kingsley Grand Hotel. When we finally arrive

tographers stood behind velvet ropes, snapping pictures of every influential gue

. Her smile became sweeter

ut of the ca

Flash.

l familiar businessmen while my stepmother waved poli

e ballroom. Looking for him. Inside, the

across the room. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowd carrying

room. Politicians. CEOs. Investors. But there w

near the center of the room, surrounded b

bered. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black

. His sharp jawline and calm expression gave him an almost intimidating presence. But it w

at he was thinking. Tonight didn't seem any different.

the moment stretched strangely long. For a sec

ts from the photographers. All I could see was him.

gnit

We hadn't met yet in this timeline. Yet Adrian

But then something happened that made my pulse quicken. Adri

d deliberate. The crowd parted almost automatically to let

nd yet he was moving towards me. He shouldn't

o. Her hand sudden

she whispered. Her voice held a m

t of us. Up close, his presence felt even more overwhelming. His gaze

sent a strange chill throu

eared on his lips. But it

y heart skipped a beat. Because something a

ght crossed my mi

? But Adrian continued looking at m

in the past... I wondered if I wasn't t