THE ICE PRINCE'S RUIN

MEETING THE PAST AGAIN

Evelyn’s POV

“Skyler, I want you to meet Daisy,a very good friend of mine.” I forced a polite smile as I turned toward the woman standing beside Pedro.

Slim. Beautiful in that overly polished way. Her lips were painted a deep red, her dress clinging to her curves like a second skin. She smiled at me, but there was something hollow behind it,like she was used to smiling on command.

“Nice to meet you,” she said sweetly, extending her hand. I shook it lightly. “You too.”

But inside? I almost scoffed. A very good friend? I had seen the way Pedro looked at her when he thought no one was watching. The possessiveness. The hunger. The ownership.

She wasn’t his friend. She was his toy.

And judging by the way she subtly leaned toward him, like she was waiting for his approval even while speaking to me, she knew it too.

“Skyler works with me,” Pedro added, his voice calm but carrying that underlying authority. “She’s… efficient.” I tilted my head slightly. “I try my best.”

Daisy smiled again, but this time it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You must be very important then.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” I replied smoothly. “Just useful.” Pedro chuckled softly, clearly amused. Before anyone could say anything else, his phone rang and his relaxed posture stiffened. His expression darkened.

“Excuse me,” he muttered, already answering the call.

I remained where I was, pretending to adjust my bracelet while Daisy sat down, crossing her legs elegantly.

Pedro turned slightly away, but not enough. I could still hear him. “What do you mean disrupted?” His voice dropped dangerously.

“Unknown men?” he repeated, sharper this time.

My heartbeat picked up, but my face remained perfectly composed. Adrian. It had to be him.

“Were you followed?” Pedro continued, pacing now. “No? Then how the hell did they find out about Fontella?” I could practically feel the anger radiating off him now.

“Useless,” he snapped under his breath. “Every single one of you is useless.” Daisy shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“Listen to me carefully,” Pedro said, his voice cold and controlled now,the kind of calm that was far more dangerous than shouting. “I want names. I want faces. I want everything. I don’t care how long it takes,find out who’s behind this.” he said and paused.

“And when you do…” He stopped pacing, his lips curling slightly. “Don’t touch them. They’re mine.”

Slowly, Pedro turned back to us. His eyes landed on me first, sharp and searching. I met his gaze without hesitation. “Problem?” I asked lightly.

He studied me for a moment longer than necessary before exhaling. “Nothing I can’t handle.” Of course,men like him always thought they were in control.

“Business?” Daisy asked softly, her voice careful. Pedro nodded once. “Someone decided to interfere with my operations.”

I leaned slightly against the desk, crossing my arms. “That’s bold.”

“It’s stupid,” he corrected, his tone hard. “And stupidity gets people killed.” I hummed thoughtfully, as though considering it.

Inside, though?

A slow, satisfied warmth spread through me. Adrian had done it. We were getting to him. “Should I be concerned?” I asked, tilting my head.

Pedro’s gaze softened slightly as he looked at me. “No. You’re under my protection.” I almost laughed. If only you knew.

“I’ll increase security for the event,” he continued, running a hand through his hair. “No one gets in without being on the list.”

“That won’t be a problem,” I said calmly.

Because everyone we needed was already invited.

The night of the party arrived faster than expected. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of my dress. Black. Elegant. Dangerous.

My reflection stared back at me, but for a moment, I didn’t recognize the woman looking back. Evelyn was soft. Evelyn trusted people.

Evelyn died eight months ago. Skyler Thomas? She was something else entirely. Cold and unforgiving.

A knock sounded on the door. “He’s here, ma’am,” the driver’s voice came from outside. I grabbed my clutch, taking one last look at myself before turning away.

“Showtime.”

The venue was exactly what I expected.People dressed in expensive clothes,plastic and Botox bodies and fake smiles.

Pedro’s hand rested lightly on the small of my back as we walked in, a silent claim to anyone watching.

“Stay close,” he murmured. I smiled faintly. “Always.” But my eyes were already scanning the room.

Soon,I saw him. Dylan Augustine. My breath hitched for just a fraction of a second.

He looked the same,but more handsome and a little older. Sharper. More guarded. But still him.

Still the man who once held my heart like it was something precious. Still the man who let it shatter. Beside him stood Violet.

Beautiful in a quiet, dangerous way. Her eyes swept the room,of course she was still by his side.

Some things never changed. “Skyler,” Pedro said, pulling me slightly forward. “There are people I want you to meet.”

But I barely heard him. Because Dylan’s gaze had just landed on me.

And everything else? Faded.

For a moment, he just stared. Like he was trying to figure something out. Like something about me felt familiar. My lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile.

We walked closer, step by step, until there was no distance left between us.

“Dylan,” Pedro greeted, extending his hand. Dylan tore his gaze away from me just long enough to shake it. “Pedro.”

His voice was steady.But his eyes? They came right back to me. “And this is?” he asked.

Pedro’s hand tightened slightly on my waist. “Skyler Thomas,” he said. “My date and personal assistant.” I tilted my head gracefully. “Nice to meet you.”

Dylan didn’t respond immediately. He just looked at me. Really looked.

“Have we met before?” he finally asked. I let out a soft, almost amused breath. “I don’t think so.”

Violet stepped forward slightly, her gaze sharp as it moved between us. “You seem familiar,” she said, her tone calm but probing.

I met her eyes, matching her energy. “I get that a lot,” I replied smoothly,and smiled again, softer this time.

“But I’d remember meeting you,” I added. Dylan’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Enjoy the party,” Pedro said, breaking the moment as he guided me away.

But I didn’t miss the way Dylan’s eyes followed me.

Not for a second. As we moved through the crowd, I could still feel it. Exactly as planned.

I picked up a glass of champagne from a passing tray, taking a slow sip. “This is just the beginning,” I murmured under my breath.

Pedro glanced at me. “What was that?” I smiled, shaking my head lightly. “Nothing.”

Dylan Augustine was already looking at me like I was a mystery he needed to solve.

And soon enough,he’d be too deep to escape. I turned slightly, letting my eyes meet him across the room one last time.

And this time? I didn’t look away. “Welcome back to my life,” I whispered softly.

“Let’s see how this ends.”