HEART BOUND

THE PARTY INVITATION

(Season 1)

CHAPTER 28

Two weeks had passed since Liora walked back into the VALOR mansion.

Two weeks of forced smiles, blueberry pancakes on Sunday, and security details that never slept.

Zach didn’t like it. Not one bit.

He hadn’t found proof that Mrs. Brown or Jae were planning anything, but the quiet was worse than noise. People who meant you harm didn’t go quiet for two weeks unless they were sharpening the knife.

Still, he let Liora go.

With conditions. With Rhine. With Rhine’s friends. With two cars trailing them everywhere.

And still, every night when Liora came home safe, his shoulders only dropped an inch.

Because nothing suspicious had happened.

Mrs. Brown was _too_ sweet. Jae was _too_ present. Shopping trips, coffee dates, “sister bonding.”

It felt like bait. And Zach hated that he couldn’t tell Liora that without sounding paranoid.

---

The invitation came on a rainy Thursday evening.

Liora’s room smelled like vanilla candles. Rhine was sprawled across the bed scrolling, and Jae was sitting cross-legged on the rug, glowing.

"Sooo," Jae said, drawing the word out. "My friends are throwing a birthday party this weekend. Small. Just close people. I was thinking... we should go together?"

Rhine sat up immediately. "What kind of party?"

"Nothing crazy," Jae said quickly. "House party. Music, games. You know. Normal."

Liora didn’t answer. She was picking at a loose thread on her blanket.

The last party ended with a hospital visit and a week of nightmares. Her stomach twisted just thinking about it.

Jae noticed. Her smile softened. "Hey. It’s okay if you don’t want to. I just thought it’d be nice to introduce you to my people. But no pressure."

Then she turned to Rhine. "You’re coming though, right?"

Rhine glanced at Liora. The look said: _your call._

And that’s what got to Liora. Jae had been nothing but kind for fourteen days straight. She’d laughed with her, shopped with her, stayed up talking about stupid childhood stories.

The least Liora could do was show up.

"Yeah," Liora said quietly. "I’ll come."

Jae lit up and immediately pulled her into a hug. "Yess! It’ll be fun, I promise."

Rhine groaned. "Let’s not celebrate yet. We have to tell the guys. You know how they get."

Liora rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. She remembered the first time she went out with Jae without texting. Three phones blew up. Zach called five times. Kai showed up at the mall parking lot.

They were overprotective. Exaggerating, maybe. But she got it.

"They’ll freak out," Jae said, grinning. "But it’ll be fine. I’ll behave."

Rhine laughed. "That’s what I’m afraid of."

Later that night, Liora told them.

Zach’s jaw ticked. Kai swore. Even Ryan looked unsure.

"Absolutely not," Zach started.

"Rhine’s going," Liora cut in. "And her friends. And Kai can come too if he wants."

That last part did it.

Kai leaned back, arms crossed. "Fine. But I’m not dancing. And I’m not smiling. And if anything feels off, we leave."

"Deal," Liora said.

---

*Meanwhile*

Michael sat in a dim lounge, smoke curling around his fingers. His friends were loud, drunk, and stupid.

Then the door opened.

Sophie walked in like she owned the room. Silk dress, heels that clicked like a warning. Every man turned. She didn’t look at any of them.

She went straight to Michael, took his wine, sipped it, and sat.

"You’re late," Michael said, exhaling smoke.

"I had to be perfect," Sophie purred. "It takes time."

Michael studied her. "So. What’s next?"

Sophie leaned back, legs crossed, a slow smile spreading.

"Next? We wait. The main show starts soon. Everything’s in place."

Michael frowned. "You still haven’t told me what _you_ get out of this."

"Revenge," she said simply. The word was sweet on her tongue. "Kalen destroyed everything my family built. So I’m going to destroy what he loves."

Michael let out a low whistle. "I’m still shocked you found his weakness. Thought that guy was a monster."

"He is," Sophie said. "Which is why his weakness matters more."

She raised her glass. "For now, we sit. We watch. And then we burn it all down."

Michael watched her. She was everything he wanted in a woman. Clever. Ruthless. Beautiful.

And she hated him.

The only reason she was here was because they shared an enemy.

He hated how much that turned him on.

---

*The Party*

The house was warm, loud, and full of fairy lights.

Jae was in her element, introducing Liora and Rhine to everyone. "This is my sister Liora. This is Rhine, her bestie."

People were kind. The music wasn’t too loud.

"This is actually nice," Vanessa said, sipping punch.

"Told you," Jae beamed.

Kai stood in the corner with a drink, arms crossed, scanning the room every thirty seconds. He hated parties. Hated crowds. Hated not knowing every exit.

"The game’s starting!" Jae grabbed Liora’s wrist. "Come on!"

They all ran to the living room where people were playing some ridiculous party game with pillows and dares. Liora was laughing. Actually laughing.

Rhine watched her and felt something loosen in her chest. Maybe the guys were wrong about Jae.

Kai, bored out of his mind, slipped away to the kitchen for air.

"Mind if I join you?"

He looked up. Vanessa. One of Rhine’s friends. Bright eyes, quick smile.

He shrugged. She sat anyway.

An hour later they were talking. Really talking. She was funny. She dared him to down a glass of strong wine. He dared her back.

They laughed. They drank. Kai forgot, for a little while, that he was supposed to be on guard.

---

In the game room, Liora’s laugh started to fade.

A cold wave rolled through her. Her vision swam.

Ellen noticed immediately. "Liora? You okay?"

"Yeah," Liora lied, forcing a smile. "Just... bathroom."

She slipped out, pressing a hand to her stomach. The hallway was quieter. Cooler.

Then she saw him.

Lucas. Standing near the restrooms, phone in hand.

Her eyes widened. "Did Zach send you?"

"No," Lucas said. "Sir Kalen did. He’s been trying to reach Kai. No one’s answering. So I came myself."

Liora grinned despite feeling off. "That’s so you guys. Work first, party never."

"Come on, I’ll take you to him."

She grabbed his arm and pulled him back toward the living room.

The music was louder here. People were cheering at the game.

Liora scanned the room. And stopped.

Her blood went cold.

On the couch, half-hidden by people, was Kai.

And in his arms, kissing him like the world was ending, was Vanessa.

The room tilted.

Lucas froze beside her, his face going blank with shock.

Liora’s first thought wasn’t anger at Kai.

It was guilt. _I brought Lucas here. I made him see this._

Her hands started to shake. The noise of the party faded until all she could hear was her own heartbeat.

Behind her, Lucas let out a quiet breath.

Liora didn’t know what to do. Run. Scream. Pretend she didn’t see it.

So she did the only thing she could.

She turned and walked away. Fast.

And somewhere across the room, Sophie raised her glass and smiled.

TBC