Chapter 1

“Are you ready, Selene? It's gonna be a blast.” Anna’s message lit up their group chat.

Selene smiled, grabbed her phone, and typed, -Where are you bitches? I’m almost done.-

-We’re outside your hostel.-

Seconds later, the entire building trembled under the bass of a booming car stereo.

She threw her curtain open, slid the window wide, and leaned out.

“Hey, bitches!”

Screams shot up in response.

Annalise was already dancing by the car, hips rolling to the beat of some radio-dominating pop star.

Tonight was Selene’s 21st. A milestone. A night meant to shine.

Only her aunt remembered. And her girls—Annalise and Hailey. Her soul sisters. Her anchor.

Annalise was the firecracker. She lit every room, never slowed down, and never backed off.

Hailey, though quieter, had a presence that couldn’t be missed. When it counted, she was thunder. The kind of friend who didn’t need to speak to be heard.

They had met during orientation week. One smile, one shared class, and the bond snapped into place.

“Thanks, guys,” Selene said, sliding into the back seat. “This means everything.”

“Name your poison,” Annalise grinned, already grabbing her phone. “Blond, tall, tattooed? Want me to pre-book?”

Selene laughed as she buckled her seatbelt. "No one's fucking anyone. Tonight’s all about us."

Annalise was old-money wild. Her parents had left her estates, trust funds, and a freedom most people only saw in magazines. Her aunt spoiled her too, but never in a way that made her mean. With all that wealth, she still made room for Selene, who grew up on coupons and secondhand books. And never once made her feel lesser for it.

“Don’t bother,” Hailey said, her eyes on the road as she drove like it was a racetrack. “I already have a plan.”

“Hailey, baby,” Annalise sighed. “Please don’t kill the vibe. Your picks are always... tragic. Emotionally dehydrated, if I’m being generous.”

Everyone laughed.

Their car pulled up in front of the towering hotel. Flashy luxury cars lined the driveway, guarded by bouncers in black, their expressions carved from stone. A few lowlifes lingered near the edges, whistling like fools as the girls stepped out.

“Welcome, Miss Annalise.” One of the bouncers immediately stepped aside, creating a path for them.

It wasn’t surprising anymore. Annalise always had access to the best places in town. Big shots knew her by name. They didn’t even ask for IDs or wristbands.

But Hailey never let it slide.

She was quiet but observant. And rich in her own right. Not that she ever acted like it. No one had seen her family or even knew her real last name. She was just the mysterious girl from Paris who didn’t need to explain herself.

“Are you sure this place is safe?” Hailey asked, scanning the crowd. “How the hell did you get access to The Crimson Room? That’s a no-go zone for nobodies.”

“Oh, Hailey, please,” Annalise rolled her eyes. “It’s not the first time you’ve seen me in designer shoes and high places. I don’t live in the dark.”

Hailey narrowed her eyes, but before she could clap back, Selene stepped between them.

“Guys. Chill. It’s my birthday. No drama tonight. Just champagne and chaos.”

They moved toward the VIP section, where another bouncer pulled the rope aside without hesitation.

Inside, it was pure decadence.

Velvet walls soaked in soft golden lighting. Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling like frozen rain. Plush leather booths curved around glass tables stacked with vintage champagne and crystal ashtrays. A private bar gleamed in the corner, lined with the rarest bottles, the kind people didn’t even ask the price for.

A live jazz band played under a soft spotlight, their sound smooth and seductive, barely cutting through the low hum of exclusive conversations and rich laughter.

This was not a place for common birthdays. This was royalty. Wealth. Power.

"Happy birthday!" the crowd roared, raising their glasses in a bright clink of crystal and cheers.

Selene stood still, lips parted, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Wait. This is... for me?" she asked, turning slowly, trying to take in the soft lights, the glittering decor, the faces smiling just for her.

Annalise leaned in, smiling like she owned the world. "All yours. My surprise."

She didn’t even try to hide the smirk she tossed Hailey's way. "Though I can’t say the same for whatever you brought."

Hailey rolled her eyes, hands on her hips. "Let her shine tonight. It's her party. But just wait. I’ve got something coming that’ll steal the spotlight."

Selene groaned, but the warmth in her voice softened it. "You two are impossible. Honestly, I don’t care who did what. I love you both, and I’m lucky to have you."

They pulled into a quick hug, light and tight, the kind shared between girls who had seen each other through heartbreak, finals, and hangovers.

Then the DJ approached, whispering something into Annalise’s ear. Her eyes lit up as she straightened, clinking her nails against her champagne glass.

"Everyone, take your seats. The real party starts now."

Chairs shifted. Murmurs buzzed. Annalise lifted her glass again with a grin so wide it could split her lip.

"To celebrate the most important person in this room—my best friend Selene—I pulled strings. Serious strings. I invited my cousin."

She paused, letting the suspense hang.

"L.D."

Squeals cracked through the lounge. Several girls stood immediately, scanning the room, trying to spot him.

Selene stared. Her brain lagged behind.

L.D.

Not just a name. A brand. A legend on campus, even if he never showed up to class. National award-winner. Face of the biggest ad campaign this year. Three billion Instagram followers and the kind of jawline sculpted by Greek gods. The guy people claimed didn’t even breathe in the same atmosphere as regular students.

Selene blinked. "No way. You don’t need to impress me, Anna. This party is already insane."

Annalise narrowed her eyes. "I’m not lying."

A gasp burst from the crowd. Heads whipped to the entrance.

Lily, queen bee and clout-chaser supreme, stepped forward, already pulling out her phone.

"If he doesn’t show, you owe me fifteen grand. Biweekly." Her voice dropped low, full of venomous charm.

Annalise folded her arms. "You didn’t believe this party was happening at The Crimson Room either. And yet, here you are. Still doubting me?"

Lily scoffed. "The venue is one thing. L.D. is a different league. You can’t fake that kind of royalty."

The air shifted. Even the music felt quieter.

Selene wasn’t listening.

Her smile dropped.

Because right there at the entrance, among the lights and murmurs and whispers, stood a shadow from her past.

Damien.

Her body stiffened. Her lungs forgot how to breathe.

Annalise saw him too. "What the hell is he doing here?" she snapped, already pushing through the crowd.

Hailey followed fast, her tone sharp enough to slice. "Are you out of your mind, Damien? Why are you here?"

Damien raised his voice, scanning the crowd until he found her.

"I came to see my beauty," he shouted. "You can't pretend you don’t miss me, Selene."

Selene stepped forward, her voice low, steady, but tense. "Don’t cause a scene."

"Come with me," he said, ignoring the tension in the room.

Selene gave her friends a quick glance. "Just give me a minute. I’ll be right back."

She moved, shoulders stiff. Damien followed, a twisted smirk on his face as he left.

---

Their voices rose in the hallway, echoing off the walls. Words heated. Tension crackled.

Damien shoved his phone toward Selene’s face.

She looked.

And flinched.

Then came the sound—a slap, loud and sudden, cutting through the silence like a whip.

Her palm had met his cheek.

Tears welled in her eyes as she spun around and fled. No words, no explanation. Just the sound of her heels as she ran, her face marked with pain.

Hailey stepped forward, fists clenched. "I'm going to kill him."

Annalise grabbed her arm. "You can’t. You’d only end up dead."

---

Outside, Selene shoved through the crowd, blinking back tears. Her heart pounded, her breath uneven. She just needed to get out.

She stepped into the hallway that led to the exit, heels clicking on the polished floor.

Then it happened.

A drunk dancer stumbled around the corner, arms flailing, eyes glazed over.

“Watch out!” he slurred, swinging past her.

His shoulder clipped hers.

Her ankle twisted. One heel gave way.

Selene’s arms flew out as she spun, body twirling backward.

The floor rushed up to meet her—

But she never hit it.

A pair of strong arms caught her mid-fall. One braced her lower back, the other wrapped around her waist, steadying her like she weighed nothing.

He had been walking in as she was storming out.

Their bodies collided.

Close. Too close.

Chest to chest. Heat against heat. Heartbeat to heartbeat.

She looked up.

A hood shadowed most of his face. Just the edge of his jaw visible—strong, still, unreadable.

Her breath caught.

And right there, time froze between them.