The Death of Serena Sterling-Prologue
Prologue Part 1
Everything around me is warm. This had to be what heaven felt like, and if not, surely this was as close as I could get to it.
Serena cracked open her eyes to survey the imagery around her, Port Sterling was always so beautiful this time of year. She laid, outstretched on her beach blanket, feeling the sun’s warmth reach down to caress her sun-kissed skin. This had become a ritual of sorts the day of a big party. She and her best friend Jasmyn Warren would race down to the Sterling family’s private beach and soak up the delicious rays of the sun for a large portion of the morning before their shopping could begin.
The white sand beach felt like a thousand warm feathers cushioning your body, the sound of the waves crashing along the coast-line created the most surreal ambient noise. Smelling the salt in the ocean cleared all of Serena’s senses. She was truly the luckiest girl in the world.
“So…is Lucas going to be at the party tonight?” Jasmyn asked, interrupting my train of thought. Lucas…My future husband. It was perfect, the most eligible bachelor in Port Sterling was the only appropriate suitor for the Sterling Heiress. I sighed in contentment, “Of course he is. Jasmyn, can you believe I get to marry him?” It still shocked me to say it out loud, even though it had all been planned since the day I was born.
The Sterling family had been arranging marriages since they came to this country long ago. Not only would the marriage bring prestige and more power than we already possessed, but it would unite the Sterling and Vaughn empires. I had been prepared for my role in all of it since I was a little girl, and the moment I had been anticipating for my entire life was finally a few short years away.
I had dated others of course. Those were always considered frivolous or trivial infatuations. Something to keep me entertained and bide my time. But my most precious gift had been saved, so I planned to bestow it upon Lucas on our wedding night. I was thankful that this wasn’t like other arranged marriages where you’d meet the groom on the day of your wedding. Lucas and I grew up together, almost all of my childhood memories involved him. My father always said that those in powerful positions should unite and remain close as allies, so the Vaughn and Sterling families were incredibly close.
“Girl you are in DEEP for that man,” Jasmyn mused. “I can literally see you daydreaming about him all over your face,” she playfully teased me.
“I can’t help it. He’s perfect. Most girls have to wonder when they’ll find Mr. Right. I’m fortunate enough to have my happily ever after hand picked for me.” I couldn’t help the girlish giggle that burst past my lips. Jasmyn playfully rolled her eyes, “Yep, you got it bad. Anyways, it’s almost noon. If we wanna find you the perfect birthday outfit for your party, we should pack it in and head to the mall.” She was right, I would need the time. This wasn’t just any birthday, it was my 18th. The second most important birthday in my life. Just one more milestone down until I get to my 21st birthday, the birthday where I finally married Lucas.
