Don’t Trust Anyone.
Adrian’s POV
A longer silence followed Then-“Yes. It was her.”
I stood completely still.
“I don’t know how she managed to drag you out,” Father said, his voice low, almost like a confession. “By the time she found me, she could barely stand. Her legs were covered in blood. But she made me promise not to tell you.”
“Why?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“Because she wanted things to be fair,” he said. “She knew how girls around you competed–how a single moment of sympathy could change everything. She didn’t want that rescue to become her winning card. She said if she were to be chosen, it should be for who she was, not because she saved your life.”
He paused, then added, quieter, “Your mother and I… we always believed Selene was the one. Not just because of what she had achieved at our casino. But because even as a child, she understood what it meant to be noble. To be strong. To be good. She would’ve stood in front of you when danger came. That’s what we wanted for you. Someone worthy of standing beside you. Son you let a diamond slip through your fingers.”
The call ended And I couldn’t move. I sat there, hollow, numb, staring at nothing.
In my last life, she died for me. And I let her be buried in some unmarked place, forgotten.
And in this life when I had the chance to make things right- I chose the wrong one.
I thought I owed everything to Elara. Because I thought she saved me.
But it was all a lie. The pure angel I thought turns out to be nothing but a lying monster.
And I was a fool.
Elara and I were supposed to host a family dinner tonight. A celebration.
But I couldn’t play along.
Most of the evening, I let Elara lead me like a puppet, letting her chatter fill the silence I couldn’t break.
When we stepped into the dining room, her grip tightened around my arm.
I followed her gaze.
Selene’s seat was set Haght beside my mother’s, like always. A place saved for someone who no longer belonged
Elata hesitated, then said carefully, “Didn’t Selene say she was leaving the Vale? Why is her seat still here? Is she coming?*
“No,” my mother began to reply
But I out her off
Leave it,” I said.
Elate blinked at me “What did you say, Adrian7”
“I said leave it I pulled out my chair and sat
She stared at me for a second longer, then gave a soft, polite laugh. “Of course I was just curious, that’s all ”
My father cleated his throat and spoke, his tone heavy with formality “We’re here to celebrate my son’s engagement to Elata
Don’t Trust Anyone
+25 BONUS
I hope everyone enjoys the evening.”
But I barely touched my wine or food.
I just sat there, haunted by the image of Selene’s scar.
If only I’d known sooner. If only…
But there is no if in real life.
A part of me wanted to find her. To explain. To clear the air. Maybe–just maybe–if we could talk, there might still be a future.-
But then there was Elara.
I used to think I loved her. I truly believed she was the one who pulled me from the waves, who bled for me. But now… it’s all
unraveling.
She lied. She wasn’t who I thought she was.
I turned my head and looked at her–sitting beside my mother, all grace and softness and effortless charm.
She caught my gaze and tilted her head, concerned. “Adrian? Is something wrong?”
I forced a smile. “Nothing. Just a little dizzy. Maybe I drank the wine too fast.”
Perfect, poised Elara rose to pour me a glass of water, every inch the attentive fiancée.
But as she held it out to me, I hesitated. Could someone pretend goodness so flawlessly?
I took a sip, more out of courtesy than thirst, then stood.
“I’m sorry, everyone,” I said. “I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll head upstairs. Please enjoy the rest of your evening.”
But I didn’t go upstairs. I took a detour.
Soon, I found myself standing in front of the small villa on the edge of the estate. Once, it had been filled with laughter and chatter–girls training to be chosen.
Now it was silent. Empty. A ghost of what it used to be.
I climbed the stairs, my footsteps muffled by memory.
The door to Selene’s room was ajar.
Inside nothing Completely empty. The furniture gone. Clothes vanished. No photos. No scent. Not a single thread of her
remained
My chest tightened Selene wouldn’t have done this herself. She didn’t have the authority–this villa was funded by my family.
So who 7 Father? Mother? Elara?
My pulse spiked
1 stormed back to the dining room
Conversations faltered. All eyes turned to me
“Adnan?” my mother asked gently. “Weren’t you going to rest?”
I ignored her. “Did any of you go into the villa?” I demanded. “Selene’s room is empty. Her things–gone. All of them”
Mother frowned, clearly confused. “Not me I haven’t stepped foot in that place since she left. It broke my heart.”
Don’t Trust Anyone
Father shook his head too. “Nor I.”
+25 BONUS
Then-
“It was me,” Elara said softly.
Her voice trembled as she looked at me, her big doe eyes shimmering with innocence.
“Selene said she was leaving the Vale,” she said with a small shrug. “So I figured… she didn’t pack anything, right? I thought she probably didn’t want them. I was just trying to help. Clear the space.”
I stared at her.
“You thought?” My voice sharpened. “Who gave you the right to touch her things? Did I?”
Elara flinched. Her face lost its color. “No,” she whispered. “I just thought-”
“You thought what? That humiliating her at our engagement party wasn’t enough? That now you’d erase her completely?”
