The elevator doors closed with a quiet metallic sound.
Alessia Kane stood alone inside the mirrored space, staring straight ahead as the numbers slowly descended.
12.
13.
14.
The reflection staring back at her looked exactly the same as it had when she arrived earlier that evening.
Perfect posture.
Immaculate hair.
Calm expression.
Anyone looking at her would have assumed she had just finished a normal visit.
Nothing about her appearance suggested that two years of a relationship had ended less than five minutes ago.
The elevator reached the ground floor.
The doors slid open.
Alessia stepped into the building lobby, her heels echoing softly against the marble floor.
Behind her, hurried footsteps suddenly approached.
"Alessia!"
Ethan's voice cut through the quiet lobby.
She didn't stop.
"Alessia, wait!"
The front doors of the building were just a few steps away when Ethan finally caught up.
He grabbed her arm.
"Can we talk for a second?"
Alessia slowly looked down at his hand.
Then she looked back at his face.
He released her immediately.
"Sorry," he muttered quickly.
His usual confidence had vanished completely now.
"Look, I know what it looked like up there, but you didn't give me a chance to explain."
Alessia said nothing.
The silence made him nervous.
"I made a mistake," he continued. "It meant nothing."
She studied him quietly.
"It meant nothing?"
"Yes."
"Interesting."
Ethan took a step closer.
"You know I care about you."
Alessia's gaze remained steady.
"Do you?"
"Of course I do."
"Then why were you discussing how to manipulate my finances?"
Ethan hesitated.
"That was taken out of context."
"Was it?"
"Yes."
He ran a hand through his hair.
"You heard a part of the conversation and misunderstood the rest."
Alessia watched him speak.
The same smooth voice.
The same familiar expressions.
The same carefully chosen words.
For a moment, it almost felt like watching a stranger performing a role she had once believed.
"You're upset," Ethan said gently.
"That's understandable. Anyone would be upset in your position."
Alessia tilted her head slightly.
"My position?"
"Yes."
He lowered his voice.
"But ending the relationship immediately isn't the solution."
Alessia finally spoke.
"You're right."
Relief flashed across Ethan's face.
"Exactly—"
"But I didn't end it immediately."
His smile faded.
"What?"
"I ended it after hearing you laugh about using me."
The words landed with quiet precision.
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"You're twisting things."
Alessia didn't respond.
Instead, she walked toward the building's glass entrance.
"Alessia—"
She stopped just before stepping outside.
Without turning around, she said calmly,
"Don't contact me again."
Then she pushed the doors open.
Cool night air greeted her as she stepped onto the pavement outside.
The city lights of Silvercrest Heights glowed softly across the quiet street.
For a moment, Alessia simply stood there.
Cars passed in the distance.
A faint breeze moved through the trees lining the road.
Her phone buzzed in her handbag.
She took it out and dialled a number.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Alessia?" a bright voice answered. "Hey! I thought you were still abroad."
"I came back early."
"Already? What happened?"
Alessia paused briefly.
"I need you."
There was a short silence on the other end.
Then the voice changed instantly.
"Where are you?"
"Outside Ethan's apartment."
"Say no more."
The call ended.
Ten minutes later, a sleek black car pulled up beside the pavement.
The window rolled down.
Maya Laurent leaned out from the driver's seat.
Her eyes immediately scanned Alessia from head to toe.
"Well," Maya said slowly, "that expression usually means someone is about to be buried."
Alessia opened the passenger door and got inside.
"Drive."
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"That bad?"
"Yes."
The car pulled away from the building.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Maya glanced at her again.
"Did you finally catch him cheating?"
Alessia stared out the window at the passing city lights.
"Yes."
Maya let out a long whistle.
"I knew it."
"You did?"
"Please," Maya said. "The man had opportunistic written all over him."
Alessia didn't reply.
Maya glanced at her again, her expression softening slightly.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
Maya snorted.
"You just ended a two-year relationship."
"I'm still fine."
Maya studied her friend carefully.
Alessia sat with perfect composure, her gaze fixed on the window, her posture straight.
To anyone else, she would look completely unaffected.
Maya knew better.
"Alright," Maya said suddenly, turning the steering wheel.
"Where are we going?" Alessia asked.
"Out."
"I'm not in the mood."
"That's exactly why we're going."
Alessia frowned slightly.
"Maya—"
"No arguments," Maya interrupted. "Tonight we drink."
"I don't drink much."
"Tonight you do."
"Maya."
Her friend flashed her a mischievous smile.
"Trust me."
The car turned onto a brighter street filled with nightlife and glowing signs.
Music drifted through the open air as people moved between restaurants and clubs.
Maya slowed the car as a sleek black building came into view.
Golden lights illuminated its entrance.
Elegant.
Exclusive.
And very busy.
Maya parked smoothly.
Alessia looked up at the glowing sign above the doors.
Obsidian Lounge.
Maya switched off the engine and turned to her.
"Welcome," she said dramatically, "to the beginning of your revenge era."
Alessia raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not planning revenge."
Maya grinned.
"Even better."
She opened the car door.
"Tonight we celebrate your freedom."
Alessia hesitated for a moment.
Then she stepped out of the car.
Neither of them noticed the black luxury car pulling into the VIP parking section across the street.
Inside it, a tall man stepped out, adjusting the cuff of his suit as he glanced toward the entrance of Obsidian Lounge.
Dominic Vale had just arrived.