Today was Sharon's birthday—one of the most anticipated celebrations in town.
Elegant, seductive, and breathtaking girls were expected to attend. The boys would be there too, though only a handful. From what I heard, Sharon preferred an almost all-girls party.
Very typical of her.
I hated Sharon.
Not the casual kind of dislike you feel toward someone annoying. No. My hatred had roots. It grew every time she threw that scornful glance at me.
That look.
The one that lingered just long enough to say you don't belong here.
Whether it was a gathering, a small meeting, or a simple outing with friends, Sharon always found a way to remind me that my presence irritated her.
And truthfully?
The feeling was mutual.
I had no intention of attending her party tonight.
At least that was the plan earlier.
Lying on my bed had felt far more appealing. My back sank comfortably into the soft mattress while my thoughts wandered to something far more pleasant—the memory of my last dinner with Johnathan.
The restaurant had been dimly lit and intimate. Candlelight flickered across his face as he smiled at me across the table.
Just thinking about it made my chest tighten slightly.
That evening had been perfect.
Far more enjoyable than celebrating someone I couldn't stand.
Still…
Here I was.
If I was going to show up, then I would make sure no one could ignore me.
Tonight, I would look unforgettable.
Not overly seductive—I had no interest in attracting men who stared like starving wolves.
No.
My mission was simple.
I wanted the other girls to feel threatened.
To watch their confidence crumble.
To see doubt crawl into their expressions the moment I walked into the room.
"We're here!" Sarah announced cheerfully, pulling the car into the driveway of Sharon's estate.
Her hands rested lazily on the steering wheel as she turned to grin at me.
"Don't be nervous, my beautiful sister," she teased. "I know you're not the party type. Just follow my lead and try not to trip over your own feet."
I rolled my eyes.
"Just shut up, Sarah."
I stepped out of the car and adjusted my dress carefully.
My navy-blue midi dress hugged my body perfectly. The fabric wrapped around my slender frame like a second skin, highlighting every curve without looking desperate for attention.
Elegant.
Refined.
Deadly.
Under the estate lights, the fabric shimmered slightly. Anyone watching would think I had arrived for a fashion show rather than a birthday party.
As we approached the entrance, I noticed only a few people standing outside.
Which meant the real party was happening inside.
The moment we stepped through the doors, the music hit us.
Loud.
Heavy.
The entire house was alive.
Girls gathered in small circles, laughing and whispering while exchanging playful gossip. Several men hovered nearby, trying their luck with flirtatious smiles that made my stomach twist with mild disgust.
"Try not to get lost," Sarah whispered near my ear. "Let's go see one of my friends. She's fun."
I nodded absentmindedly.
But my attention wasn't on her.
My eyes slowly scanned the room.
Face after face.
Searching.
Looking for him.
Johnathan.
I stood beside Sarah and her friend while they laughed over something I wasn't even listening to. I raised the glass of wine in my hand and took a small sip, pretending to be relaxed.
But my focus never wavered.
I wasn't here for Sharon.
I wasn't even here for my sister.
I came for one person.
Johnathan.
My fingers tightened slightly around the glass.
If he really was here…
Why hadn't I seen him yet?
A strange uneasiness crept into my chest.
Did he lie to me about coming?
Was he hiding somewhere, planning one of his ridiculous surprises?
Or worse…
Had he already left?
He better not be playing games with me.
I chose this dress for him.
Where the hell is he?
Then suddenly—
The room went quiet.
One conversation stopped.
Then another.
Within seconds, the laughter faded into a strange, expectant silence.
One by one, heads began to turn.
Toward the staircase.
My heart skipped.
Two figures appeared at the top.
They descended slowly.
Gracefully.
The first figure was Sharon.
Her sleek black sheath dress wrapped around her body flawlessly.
But she wasn't the reason my pulse froze.
The second figure stepped forward beside her.
My breath caught in my throat.
Johnathan.
They walked side by side.
Close.
Too close.
His fingers were intertwined with hers.
Their shoulders brushed lightly as they descended the stairs together, smiling as if nothing in the world could possibly disturb them.
He didn't look nervous.
He didn't look guilty.
He didn't even look concerned that someone might be watching.
Someone like me.
"Yo sis… isn't that Sharon and your boy—"
"Shhh," I snapped sharply before Sarah could finish.
"I know."
My eyes stayed locked on them.
"I'm not blind."
My grip tightened around the wine glass until my knuckles turned pale.
Johnathan had a lot of explaining to do tonight.
Sharon's smile widened as they reached the bottom of the staircase.
She looked pleased.
Proud, even.
Meanwhile, my entire body burned.
A slow, dangerous heat crawled beneath my skin.
He was going to regret this.
Tonight.
"Happy birthday, Sharon!" voices rang throughout the room as guests gathered around her.
But Sharon barely acknowledged them.
Instead, her gaze wandered across the crowd.
Searching.
Looking.
Then she saw me.
Her smile paused.
Johnathan followed her gaze.
The moment he saw me, his eyes widened slightly.
His fingers instantly released hers.
Too late.
Way too late.
"Hello dear!" Sharon said brightly as she approached me. "I'm so glad you came tonight."
I forced a polite smile.
"You look stunning," she continued, studying my dress carefully. "I never knew you owned such expensive clothes. I love your fashion sense."
Her voice sounded sweet.
Too sweet.
"I should take you shopping sometime," she added lightly. "My taste in fashion is terrible. Just look at me—wearing a plain black sheath dress on my own birthday."
My smile stiffened.
Her fake innocence was irritating.
"Well Vanessa," she continued cheerfully, "your presence makes me so happy tonight."
I almost laughed.
Stop pretending, Sharon.
We both know you hate seeing me here.
"I need a drink," she said suddenly before walking away.
Leaving Johnathan standing in front of me.
"Hello babe…" he said softly.
His voice sounded nervous.
"You came? I'm happ—"
"Your dress looks nice, Sharon," I interrupted deliberately, ignoring him completely.
"You have great taste."
"Oh no," Sharon laughed loudly.
"Not me."
She gestured toward him.
"Johnathan picked it out for me in my room earlier."
For a moment—
Everything inside me froze.
My heartbeat slowed.
My thoughts stopped.
In her room?
"Wow," I said calmly, turning toward him with a soft smile.
"I didn't know Johnathan had such great fashion sense."
Johnathan rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
His eyes avoided mine.
"I thought you two were close," Sharon added casually.
"You should know everything about him by now."
Her words felt like knives twisting slowly.
"Well, I'm going to grab a drink," she said before walking away toward Sarah.
Leaving us alone.
"Hello babe," Johnathan tried again.
"You look incredibly sexy tonight."
He stepped closer.
"Have I ever told you how my heart skips when I see your curves? When you're near me I feel like—"
I walked away.
Before he could finish.
Maybe I overreacted.
Maybe it was nothing.
But first he was holding Sharon's hand.
Then he picked out a dress for her.
Inside her room.
Not anywhere else.
And I wasn't jealous.
No.
Jealousy wasn't the problem.
Fury was.
Sharon wasn't my competition.
If anything, I could destroy her without effort.
My real rival was someone else.
Annabelle.
Luckily for me…
She wasn't here tonight.
At least…
That's what I thought.
Because just as I lifted my glass again—
The front doors of the mansion suddenly opened.
And a familiar voice echoed through the room.
A voice I knew far too well.
My stomach dropped.
Annabelle had just arrived.
And the real disaster…
was only the beginning.