CHAPTER 1: THE NIGHT EVERYTHING BURN
Rain poured like the sky was mourning for her.
Elara stood barefoot on the cold pavement, her hands trembling as she stared at what used to be her home—now swallowed by flames.
Fire danced wildly, devouring every memory she had left.
“Please… someone help…” her voice cracked, barely louder than a whisper.
But no one came.
No one ever did.
Behind her, faint laughter echoed.
Rich. Careless. Cruel.
“Elara Vance,” a voice called out, smooth and mocking. “You should’ve known your place.”
Her body froze.
She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
The Montenegro heir.
Kael.
“You think you can stand against us?” he continued, his tone laced with amusement. “Your family was nothing. And now—look at you.”
Nothing.
The word hit harder than the fire in front of her.
Slowly, Elara turned her head, her tear-filled eyes meeting his.
That was the moment something inside her broke.
No—changed.
She memorized everything.
His face. His voice. The way he looked at her like she was nothing.
“I won’t forget this,” she said, her voice shaking—but her eyes… they were different now.
Darker.
Kael only smirked. “You won’t be around long enough to remember.”
That night, Elara Vance lost everything.
But she gained something far more dangerous.
A reason.