Valentina
A child always longs for one thing—to make their parents proud.
Not the world, not the strangers who come and go, not the endless voices that never matter. What truly pierces a child's heart is the thought of failing the two people who gave him life. Disappointment in their eyes is heavier than any burden. A single gesture of love from them can soothe every perturbation, but the absence of it can wound deeper than any knife.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, and the ache rises again. My face. It doesn't remind me of my mother at all—no trace of her grace, none of her features. Sometimes I think that is why she loathed me. If only I resembled her—if even a small part of me could have mirrored her beauty—maybe she would have looked at me with love instead of contempt.
I should hate her. For being cruel. For scarring my childhood. For leaving behind a trail of trauma that refuses to end. But hate is heavy, and I am already drowning in shadows. The memories come easily, triggered by the smallest things—tonight, it's my own reflection.
My body looks calm in the glass, but inside I am trembling, heart contracting painfully against my ribs.
A loud notification yanks me back to the present. I grab my phone, breath shaky.
> Andrea: Peek out; your driver is down there, my highness.
A laugh escapes me despite the weight in my chest. Ever since I told her about my family's past—my great-grandparents who once ruled—she hasn't stopped calling me your highness.
> Valentina: Thank you so much, my lady.
I slip my purse over my shoulder and hurry down. A black Rolls-Royce Spectre waits at the curb, sleek and gleaming under the city lights. The driver opens the door, bowing slightly. The scent inside—sweet, fruity, with a trace of spice—wraps around me, easing the restlessness in my chest.
The drive lasts thirty minutes. When the door finally opens, I step out, smoothing invisible dust off my pastel blue coquette cut-out mini dress. Its side slit sways as I move, the white lace gloves at my wrists adding a delicate touch. My hair curls neatly to the ends, my lips glossed with my favorite red tint and oil.
A guard leads me into the mansion. My jaw nearly drops. It is massive—grand and elegant, the kind of beauty that commands silence. Every corner whispers of wealth, the chandeliers dripping golden light across the marble floor. My eyes drink it all in.
Inside, the air hums with chatter and laughter. The hall overflows with people—couples, friends, strangers, all draped in luxury. Crowds make me uneasy, but some things cannot be avoided forever.
I spot Andrea near the center, chatting with a girl whose back is turned to me. Pastel-pink waves cascade down her shoulders, paired with a velvet dress hugging her curves like liquid silk. Katherine. It must be her. Still, I can't find Natalia anywhere.
Andrea notices me and waves, excitement sparkling in her eyes.
"Happy birthday, Anni," I say, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you, Val! I'm so happy you're here." She clasps my hand like I might disappear. Andrea glows tonight in a silver strapless sequined bodycon, its daring slit cutting high up her thigh. Glamorous doesn't even cover it.
"You look gorgeous," I whisper.
"Not more than you." She grins.
Then I embrace Katherine, and it feels like hugging a lost sister.
"Finally, I get to see you in person," she murmurs. Her pastel-pink hair gleams under the lights, delicate strands shining like spun candy floss. Her emerald-green eyes cut sharp, framed by lashes that flutter like blades and silk all at once. Her high cheekbones carve elegance into her face, and her dark red lips curl in a knowing line. She is fragile yet fierce, a contradiction dressed in beauty.
"Me too," I say with a smile.
Her eyes flicker with worry. "Do you know how crazy Andrea was when you didn't contact us? We thought your father had caught you. Honestly, we were scared."
"I'm fine. He'll never know about us," I wink.
Andrea's voice interrupts. "Where did she go—ah, there you are." She pulls a girl from the bar.
The girl nearly stumbles, blinking hard to regain balance. Lavender hair spills over her face, and when she tilts her head toward me, her eyes widen.
"Oh my God! She's so beautiful! Can we exchange bodies?" Natalia gasps, covering her mouth dramatically.
I laugh, warmth swelling in my chest. If only I had a sister like her… life would have been less lonely.
"No, Lia, you cannot exchange bodies or souls," Andrea scolds. "And maybe you should avoid drinking so much—you're a mess."
"It's called enjoying life, Anni. Not that you'd know—you're too busy worrying about your brother's ass." Natalia twirls a strand of lavender hair, rolling her eyes.
Andrea glares, but I can't hide my amusement.
Natalia squints at me suddenly. "Do we know each other? You seem familiar."
"Yeah. I'm your friend." I point at my chest with a chuckle.
Her jaw drops. "Woah. Friend? Perfect! I need a drinking partner." She giggles and downs her shot.
Andrea ushers us to a decorated table. I pull a velvet box from my purse and hand it to her.
"Yay! A gift!" Natalia claps like a child.
Andrea's gasp is genuine. She lifts the sapphire necklace from its box, eyes shimmering. The stones glimmer under the lights, azure teardrops framed in platinum, glowing like captured fragments of the ocean.
"Val… it's beautiful." Her voice drops, almost reverent.
Before I can reply, my skin prickles.
Someone is watching me.
My body burns with anticipation, my eyes lock with a grey storm. He is directly looking at me, and even after getting caught, he doesn't break the eye contact. My breath gets caught in my throat when he tilts his head to get… a clearer view?
There is something that appears in his eyes, but before I can acknowledge it, it disappears.
His gaze is unwavering, a deep, penetrating scrutiny. Each glance is laden with unspoken questions and silent admiration, his face tracing the contours of mine with an intensity that feels almost tangible.
His focus is so intense that it renders everything around us insignificant. The weight of his stare is both electric and unsettling, a silent, magnetic force.
He is wearing a tailored charcoal-grey suit that accentuates his broad shoulders and slim waist. His crisp white dress shirt peeks out from beneath a perfectly knotted silk tie of deep navy. Polished black leather shoes complete the ensemble. A silver tie clip and a neatly folded pocket square add the final touches of refinement.
I shift in my place, as if my body is ready to turn into ashes. I look away, gulping down the drink. Fuck, it's strong.
My throat burns while the expensive liquor travels down my oesophagus.
"Are you okay?" Katherine looks at me with concern, but I nod with a smile. "Just needed something for my dry throat." I hold the glass in front of her. She gives me an uncertain look, more like an apprehensive stare, but lets it go.
I look at the man beside me from the corner of my eye.
He's gone?
I sigh in relief.
"Hey, ladies."
I freeze.
He is right in front of me, hands tucked in his pockets, looking down at Andrea. She blinks and stands up quickly. We all do, actually.
"Oh, I thought you had an important meeting?" she smiles upon seeing him. Is he her boyfriend?
"Aiden." Katherine nods.
"Katherine."
"Val, meet my brother, Aiden. Aiden, she's Valentina, my online friend I told you about." She introduces me to him. I force a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Volkov." I extend my hand, although I am shaking to the core.
"Really nice to meet you. No need to be formal, you can call me by my name." His lips curl up, but his smile doesn't reach his eyes. It's a humourless smile, one that could scare away anyone.
His big hand holds my small one. I knew they were small, but not that much. I can feel the bolt of electricity racing through my body, my body shuddering. His lips curl into a smirk, but he manages to keep a poker face.
"I hope you're enjoying the party. Please don't mind me and continue, I just wanted to surprise my dearest sister," he says, staring at me intently, as if I am his prey he's going to destroy soon. Although his words are directed to all of us, his gaze stays on me. I think I'm going to faint.
From up close, he looks even more handsome—eyes a piercing shade of grey, sharp, observant, framed by thick, dark eyebrows that arch naturally.
His face is angular, with a strong jawline that hints at both determination and resilience.
High cheekbones add a refined touch to his features, and a slight dimple appears on his cheek when he smirks.
A straight nose gives him a noble profile. His lips are pink, with a subtle curve that suggests a quiet confidence.
"You're alone?" Andrea asks, her eyes wandering around as if looking for someone.
"No, Rian and Ivan are here." He points at three men who just walked toward us like kings. They stand beside him and wish Andrea with straight faces. She replies with a thank you.
"What about Ryder?" Katherine asks monotonously.
"He is not coming. Parties are not his thing." Aiden replies before fixing his tie and smoothing it down.
I look away and stand behind drunk Natalia to escape his heated gaze that's burning my skin through the layer of my dress.
"Isn't he so boring?" Natalia scoffs and rolls her eyes before she stumbles on her feet. Her eyes, usually full of light, darken as they stop somewhere. A flash of sadness flickers across them, quickly overtaken by a burning anger. Before I can make out for whom it was, a deep voice interrupts.