Chapter 1
"Evelyn, this toast is for you." Luna Lawson lifted her champagne flute, her smile soft and innocent enough to fool anyone who looked too quickly.
I accepted the glass. The golden liquid caught the light as it swirled inside the crystal. Then I drank every last drop.
A flicker of delight flashed through Luna's eyes. "Evelyn, you really are the best." She slipped an arm around me, supporting me as the drug began to take hold.
"My head…" I pressed a hand to my temple and swayed weakly against her. "I feel dizzy…"
"Evelyn's probably exhausted," Luna said gently. "I'll take her to the rest room." Her voice was perfectly pitched, quiet enough to sound considerate, loud enough for the nearby guests who had been secretly listening.
Half-supporting, half-dragging me, she led me out of the ballroom. The heavy door shut behind us, sealing away the noise and laughter from the banquet hall.
Then came the sharp click of the lock. I leaned against the cold door and listened to Luna's heels recede down the corridor. Slowly, the faint smile on my lips disappeared.
Perfect. Everything was unfolding exactly as it had in my previous life.
Soon, Luna would change into my custom couture gown worth millions. She would fasten the Heart of the Abyss around her neck, the engagement heirloom my mother had left me, and walk into the garden to meet Julian Sterling in my place.
Tonight, she would become the future Mrs. Sterling in everyone's eyes. And I would remain locked inside this room until the drug wore off, humiliated and ridiculed by the entire upper circle. That was how it happened in my previous life.
Back then, I had smashed the door open and rushed out in desperation. In front of all the guests, I hysterically exposed Luna's scheme. No one believed me. I became the disgrace of the Lawson family, a social outcast overnight.
And in the end, Julian personally shoved me into hell. "Evelyn, did you really think I would ever want you? If it weren't for your company, I wouldn't even touch you."
Even now, I could still remember the way he shielded Luna behind him, as though she were the only person worth protecting in this world. The memory burned like fire beneath my skin.
My nails dug hard into my arm. This time, I would not end up the same way.
I crossed to the window and looked down into the garden below. Under the glow of the lights, Luna wore my gown as she walked toward the tall man waiting beneath the roses. Julian stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit, elegant and untouchable. They looked like a match made in heaven.
I lowered my gaze and pulled out my phone. "Hello. Is this Dex?"
After ending the call, I curled up on the sofa and closed my eyes. The drug slowly dragged me into darkness.
The next thing I heard was frantic pounding on the door.
"Evelyn! Open the door!" My father's furious voice cut through the haze. "Do you hear me? Open this door right now!"
I slowly opened my eyes. Then I sat up calmly, smoothed the wrinkles from my skirt, and walked over to unlock the door.
My father Marcus Lawson stood outside with a thunderous expression. Beside him, Luna's eyes were red with carefully rehearsed tears, while Julian looked at me with cold impatience.
"Where the hell were you last night?" Marcus barked. "Do you have any idea how much humiliation you brought upon this family?"
His hand flew up, ready to strike me.
I did not move. But before the slap could land, Luna rushed forward and grabbed his arm.
"Dad, please don't blame Evelyn," she said softly. "She didn't mean to cause trouble."
Then she turned to me with practiced concern written all over her face. "Evelyn, are you alright? Julian, Dad, and I searched for you all night. We were so worried."
She was still wearing my gown. Around her neck hung the Heart of the Abyss. The sight was almost blinding.
I ignored her completely and looked straight at Julian. He was already watching me. His eyes were icy, filled with contempt and suspicion.
"Evelyn," he said coldly, "are you done making a scene?"
