From Fake Heiress to FILTHY RICH

Chapter 1: The Night That Changed Everything The air was thick with the scent of rain and jasmine as I stood on the balcony of my little apartment, the city lights of Kaelhaven twinkling below like a sea of stars. It was 10:32 PM WAT on a warm Thursday night, and my heart was doing funny little flips, the kind that made me smile all by myself. I leaned against the railing, my fingers tracing the worn edge, my belly just starting to show with the tiny life growing inside me. Jace would’ve laughed at how giddy I felt, calling me a hopeless romantic, but he wasn’t here anymore, and that ache still lingered, soft but deep. Tonight, though, something felt different—electric, like the world was holding its breath. I’d met Niko two weeks ago at the market, his dark eyes catching mine over a pile of oranges. He’d grinned, all crooked and warm, and said, “You look like you need help carrying those.” His voice was like honey, smooth and deep, and I’d blushed, letting him carry my bags to my car. We talked the whole way—about the weather, about my love for cooking (even if I burned half of it), and the way his laugh made my chest feel light. By the time we parted, he’d slipped me his number on a napkin, his fingers brushing mine, and I’d felt a spark that stayed with me for days. Tonight was our first real date, and my nerves were dancing a wild tango. The doorbell rang, and my heart leapt into my throat. I smoothed my dress—a soft blue thing that hugged me just right—and opened the door. There he was, leaning against the frame, looking like something out of a dream in a dark jacket and jeans, a single rose in his hand. His eyes softened when he saw me, and that crooked grin spread across his face. “Sloane,” he said, my name rolling off his tongue like a song. “You’re beautiful.” I blushed hard, taking the rose, my fingers brushing his. “Thanks, Niko,” I mumbled, my voice all shaky. “You clean up nice too.” He laughed, that sound I was already falling for, and offered his arm. I took it, feeling the warmth of him through his sleeve, and we headed out into the night. He’d planned a picnic by the river, a spot just outside the city where the stars shone brighter. We spread a blanket under an old oak tree, the water glinting like glass, and he pulled out a basket filled with sandwiches, fruit, and a bottle of sparkling juice—nothing with alcohol, he’d said with a wink, “for the little one.” My heart melted right there. We sat close, our shoulders touching, and as we ate, he told me about his life—growing up near the coast, losing his dad to a storm, finding purpose with the Vipers, a group I’d only heard whispers about. I shared my stories too—Jace’s goofy pranks, my mom’s quiet strength, the way cooking with them had been my safe place. “You miss them a lot, don’t you?” he asked, his voice gentle, his hand resting near mine on the blanket. I nodded, tears prickling, and he shifted closer, his thumb brushing my cheek. “I get it,” he said softly. “Loss sticks with you. But you’ve got a light, Sloane—something special. I felt it the moment I saw you.” My breath caught, and I leaned into his touch, my heart pounding. “You make me feel… seen,” I whispered, my eyes locking with his. The world faded, just us under the stars, and before I knew it, he leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a kiss so tender it made my chest ache with joy. It was sweet, slow, like he was savoring me, and I kissed him back, my hands finding his shoulders, pulling him closer. When we pulled apart, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm, and I felt like I was floating. “Been wanting to do that since the oranges,” he murmured, and I laughed, my face hot. We stayed there, talking and laughing, his arm around me, the night wrapping us in a cocoon of romance. He fed me a strawberry, his fingers lingering on my lips, and I fed him one back, our eyes never leaving each other. It was perfect—until the peace shattered. A sharp crack split the air, like a gunshot, and I jolted, my heart slamming against my ribs. Niko was on his feet in an instant, his hand on a gun I hadn’t noticed tucked at his waist. “Stay down,” he hissed, his voice all business now, but his eyes flicked to me, full of worry. I crouched, my hands shaking, and peeked out—shadows moved in the trees, figures with guns, their faces hidden. My stomach dropped—Serpents, the gang Mom had warned me about, the ones who’d been after her years ago. “Niko, what’s happening?” I whispered, my voice trembling. He knelt beside me, his hand cupping my face, his touch grounding. “They’re after you, Sloane,” he said, his voice low. “Your bloodline—your mom’s legacy. I was sent to protect you.” My mind spun—protect me? From what? But before I could ask, a bullet whizzed past, splintering the tree trunk above us. “Move!” he yelled, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the riverbank. We ran, my dress catching on branches, his grip firm and sure. My heart raced, not just from fear but from the way he held me, like I was his to save. We ducked behind a boulder, his body shielding mine, and I felt the heat of him, the strength, the love in his tense posture. “I won’t let them hurt you,” he whispered, his lips brushing my ear, and I nodded, tears mixing with adrenaline. The shadows closed in, and Niko fired, his shots precise, taking down two figures. I peeked out, spotting a man with a scar across his face—Marcus, Mom had called him once, a Serpent leader. His eyes locked on me, cold and hungry, and I shivered, clutching Niko’s arm. “They want my blood,” I said, my voice breaking. “Why?” “Your mom engineered something—something in your DNA,” Niko explained, reloading, his voice urgent. “Healing, power—Serpents want to weaponize it. I’ve been tracking them, but they found you first.” His confession hit me like a wave, and I stared at him, my heart swelling with love and fear. He’d been watching over me, risking his life, and now here we were, tangled in danger and desire. Another shot rang out, and Niko pushed me down, his body covering mine as dirt sprayed. “I love you, Sloane,” he murmured, his voice raw, his eyes searching mine. “I didn’t plan this, but I do. We’ll get through this.” My breath hitched, and I kissed him hard, pouring all my fear and love into it, my hands in his hair. “I love you too,” I whispered against his lips, and for a moment, the world stopped. But the fight wasn’t over. Marcus shouted orders, and more figures emerged, their guns glinting. Niko pulled me up, his hand never leaving mine, and we ran along the river, the water splashing our feet. My dress tore, my belly ached, but I pushed on, driven by the man beside me, the love that had bloomed so fast and fierce. We reached a small boat he’d hidden, and he helped me in, his hands gentle but quick, his eyes never leaving mine. “Hold on,” he said, starting the motor. We sped away, bullets chasing us, the night air whipping my hair. I clung to him, my arms around his waist, my face buried in his back, feeling his heartbeat through his jacket. “You’re my everything,” I murmured, and he glanced back, his grin soft despite the danger. “And you’re mine,” he replied, steering us toward safety. But as we rounded a bend, a spotlight hit us, and Marcus’s voice boomed, “You can’t run forever, Astor!” My heart sank, but Niko’s hand found mine, squeezing tight, and I knew—whatever came, we’d face it together, our love a flame that no darkness could extinguish.