Chapter 1: The Woman in Red
The flash from a hundred phones lit the ballroom brighter than the crystal chandeliers overhead.
"Ava! This way!"
"Smile!"
"Over here!"
Ava Hart turned gracefully, the scarlet satin of her gown hugging every curve as cameras clicked in rapid bursts. Beside her, her fiancé, Ethan Black, rested a warm hand against the small of her back.
To everyone watching, they were perfection.
The city's golden couple.
The billionaire and the woman who had captured his heart.
"You look nervous," Ethan murmured, leaning close enough for only her to hear.
Ava laughed softly. "I'm about to meet your investors, your board, half the city's elite... Of course I'm nervous."
His thumb brushed against her waist.
"They'll love you."
The words settled the flutter in her chest.
Maybe tonight really was the beginning of forever.
Across the ballroom, Selena Brooks lifted a champagne flute to her lips.
She didn't drink.
She couldn't.
Not while Ethan smiled at Ava like that.
Jade Rivers stepped beside her and nudged her elbow.
"You've been staring for five minutes."
"I haven't."
"You have."
Selena forced a laugh, but it came out thin.
"I'm just thinking."
"Oh, that's dangerous."
"Shut up."
Jade studied her friend's face.
"You still haven't told her."
Selena's fingers tightened around the glass.
"Tell her what?"
"Don't play dumb."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Jade sighed.
"You've loved Ethan since college."
The words hit like a slap.
Selena's eyes darted around the room.
"Keep your voice down."
"I've kept quiet for three years."
"And I never asked you to."
"No." Jade looked toward Ava. "But she deserves the truth."
Selena swallowed hard.
"The truth won't change anything."
"Maybe."
"It'll only ruin everything."
Before Jade could answer, Ava rushed toward them, glowing with excitement.
"There you two are!"
She wrapped an arm around each of them.
"My girls."
For a moment, everything felt exactly like old times.
Three best friends.
Countless memories.
Unbreakable promises.
"We need a picture!" Ava said.
The photographer waved them over.
"Closer!"
The three women stood shoulder to shoulder.
"Perfect!" the photographer called. "Now everyone smile."
Click.
Click.
Click.
No one noticed Selena's trembling hand.
No one noticed Ethan watching her instead of the camera.
No one except Jade.
Her stomach dropped.
She had seen that look before.
And it never ended well.
Moments later, the host stepped onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen... tonight marks a very special celebration."
Applause filled the ballroom.
Ava looked at Ethan, confused.
"You planned something?"
He smiled.
"Maybe."
The lights dimmed.
A spotlight found the center stage.
A velvet box appeared in the host's hands.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Selena's heartbeat pounded so loudly she barely heard the applause.
"No..." she whispered.
Ethan took the box.
Then he started walking.
Straight toward Ava.
Halfway there...
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
His face drained of color.
Without another word, he turned around...
...and walked out of the ballroom.
Leaving Ava standing alone in front of hundreds of stunned guests.
Silence swallowed the room.
Then Ava's own phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
A single message.
Don't marry him.
Ask him about the woman in Room 1708.
