HER STRENGTH HIS SIN

Chapter 11 - His Sin

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(Lisa's POV)

The mirror caught the light from my window and scattered it across the room, brushing silver over the gown that waited on my bed.

The color shifted when I moved-moonlight one moment, pale blue the next. I touched the fabric again, still half afraid it might vanish if I blinked too long.

It wasn't from Syra, and that made it feel even more dangerous.

Someone else had sent it. He had sent it.

Adrian was written on the envelope

The name tasted strange in my mind-soft and sharp at once. In my first life he had been the boss who signed my paychecks, polite but unreachable, a man who lived in glass offices and expensive silence.

Now he was here-still rich, still composed-but sitting in the same lecture halls, attending the same college events. He tried saving me that night, I remembered I had a good impression of him

I told myself it didn't matter. That this life was different.

Still, when I slipped the gown over my skin, something in my chest steadied.

This time, I would not break for anyone.

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The hall glittered with chandeliers and restless laughter. Music hummed low like a secret.

I felt the shift the moment I stepped through the doors; heads turned, conversations faltered, and the air thinned around me.

Daniel was the first to find me.

"You look... amazing," he said, the words almost stuck in his throat. His smile was proud, but his eyes flicked nervously toward the entrance-as if he expected Syra to appear and reclaim his attention.

"I'm glad you think so," I said, light enough to hide the sting that wanted to rise.

And then Syra did appear, wrapped in red silk and confidence. She walked straight to me, her heels whispering across the marble.

"You wore something else?" she asked with a laugh so sweet it could rot teeth. "Lisa, you rebel. I thought you'd go with the one I gave you."

I smiled back. "It didn't feel right for tonight."

Her gaze skimmed the gown from neckline to hem, pausing just long enough to register its quiet luxury. For a heartbeat, her smile flickered. Then she recovered, tucking her jealousy neatly behind her perfect teeth.

"Well, you look beautiful," she said, leaning in as if sharing a secret. "Almost unfairly so."

Almost.

The word hung there, tasting like poison dipped in honey.

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The orchestra began another slow piece, and that was when I saw him.

Andrian

Black suit. Crisp posture. A hint of something unspoken in his eyes when they met mine. The crowd blurred until only he existed, walking toward me through the shimmer of candlelight.

"Lisa." His voice carried easily, low and smooth. "You look... different tonight."

Different. Not just beautiful. Not just elegant. Something else. Something remembered.

Before I could answer, he offered his hand. "Dance with me?"

I hesitated, aware of Daniel's stare burning from across the room. But something stronger pulled me-an echo of another time, another life where I had always been the one watching him from afar.

This time, he was the one asking.

His palm was warm against mine as he led me to the floor. The music unfolded around us, soft strings and scattered light. We moved slowly, every step a conversation neither of us dared to voice.

He smiled faintly. "You don't remember me, do you?"

A quiet laugh escaped before I could stop it. "Should I?"

"Maybe not yet," but u will ,he said, and the words felt heavier than they should have

When the song ended, he bowed slightly, eyes lingering a fraction too long before he turned away. My pulse didn't settle for several beats after.

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Daniel was waiting when I stepped off the floor. His smile was tight.

"So you and Andrian now?"

"He asked for one dance," I said.

"Right," he muttered, but his fingers tightened around the glass he held. The jealousy was so visible it almost made me pity him.

Syra glided toward us, rescuing-or maybe sharpening-the moment. "Lisa, that dance was gorgeous," she said. "Everyone was watching."

I forced a laugh. "I noticed."

She tilted her head, eyes glinting. "Oh, and that necklace-" she brushed her fingers near my throat-"it's lovely. I heard one of the sponsors misplaced a gold chain earlier. I'm sure it's just a silly mix-up, but you two look so good together, people might start talking."

The words came out smooth, innocent, concerned. Perfectly performed.

Daniel's brow furrowed. Others glanced our way. My smile didn't move.

"Thanks, Syra," I said softly. "I'll keep that in mind."

She beamed, the picture of friendship. "Anything for you, babe."

As she turned away, the music swelled again, drowning out the quiet spark of chaos she'd just lit.

I touched the necklace unconsciously. It wasn't gold. It was silver. But the rumor wouldn't care about facts.

Not this time, I thought, straightening my shoulders. Not this time would she write my story for me.

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