Don't Trust Anyone . Adrian's POV A longer silence followed Then- " Yes . It was her . " I stood completely still . " I don't know how she managed to drag you out , " Father said , his voice low , almost like a confession . " By the time she found me , she could barely stand . Her legs were covered in blood . But she made me promise not to tell you . " " Why ? " I asked , already knowing the answer . " Because she wanted things to be fair , " he said . " She knew how girls around you competed - how a single moment of sympathy could change everything . She didn't want that rescue to become her winning card . She said if she were to be chosen , it should be for who she was , not because she saved your life . " He paused , then added , quieter , " Your mother and I ... we always believed Selene was the one . Not just because of what she had achieved at our casino . But because even as a child , she understood what it meant to be noble . To be strong . To be good . She would've stood in front of you when danger came . That's what we wanted for you . Someone worthy of standing beside you . Son you let a diamond slip through your fingers . " The call ended And I couldn't move . I sat there , hollow , numb , staring at nothing . In my last life , she died for me . And I let her be buried in some unmarked place , forgotten . And in this life when I had the chance to make things right- I chose the wrong one . I thought I owed everything to Elara . Because I thought she saved me . But it was all a lie . The pure angel I thought turns out to be nothing but a lying monster . And I was a fool . Elara and I were supposed to host a family dinner tonight . A celebration . But I couldn't play along . Most of the evening , I let Elara lead me like a puppet , letting her chatter fill the silence I couldn't break . When we stepped into the dining room , her grip tightened around my arm . I followed her gaze . Selene's seat was set Haght beside my mother's , like always . A place saved for someone who no longer belonged Elata hesitated , then said carefully , " Didn't Selene say she was leaving the Vale ? Why is her seat still here ? Is she coming ? * "No ," my mother began to reply But I out her off Leave it , " I said . Elate blinked at me " What did you say , Adrian7 " " I said leave it I pulled out my chair and sat She stared at me for a second longer , then gave a soft , polite laugh . " Of course I was just curious , that's all " My father cleated his throat and spoke , his tone heavy with formality " We're here to celebrate my son's engagement to Elata Don't Trust Anyone +25 BONUS I hope everyone enjoys the evening . " But I barely touched my wine or food . I just sat there , haunted by the image of Selene's scar . If only I'd known sooner . If only ... But there is no if in real life . A part of me wanted to find her . To explain . To clear the air . Maybe - just maybe - if we could talk , there might still be a future.- But then there was Elara . I used to think I loved her . I truly believed she was the one who pulled me from the waves , who bled for me . But now ... it's all unraveling . She lied . She wasn't who I thought she was . I turned my head and looked at her - sitting beside my mother , all grace and softness and effortless charm . She caught my gaze and tilted her head , concerned . " Adrian ? Is something wrong ? " I forced a smile . " Nothing . Just a little dizzy . Maybe I drank the wine too fast . " Perfect , poised Elara rose to pour me a glass of water , every inch the attentive fiancée . But as she held it out to me , I hesitated . Could someone pretend goodness so flawlessly ? I took a sip , more out of courtesy than thirst , then stood . " I'm sorry , everyone , " I said . " I'm not feeling well . I think I'll head upstairs . Please enjoy the rest of your evening . " But I didn't go upstairs . I took a detour . Soon , I found myself standing in front of the small villa on the edge of the estate . Once , it had been filled with laughter and chatter - girls training to be chosen . Now it was silent . Empty . A ghost of what it used to be . I climbed the stairs , my footsteps muffled by memory . The door to Selene's room was ajar . Inside nothing Completely empty . The furniture gone . Clothes vanished . No photos . No scent . Not a single thread of her remained My chest tightened Selene wouldn't have done this herself . She didn't have the authority - this villa was funded by my family . So who 7 Father ? Mother ? Elara ? My pulse spiked 1 stormed back to the dining room Conversations faltered . All eyes turned to me " Adnan ? " my mother asked gently . " Weren't you going to rest ? " I ignored her . " Did any of you go into the villa ? " I demanded . " Selene's room is empty . Her things - gone . All of them " Mother frowned , clearly confused . " Not me I haven't stepped foot in that place since she left . It broke my heart . " Don't Trust Anyone Father shook his head too . " Nor I. " +25 BONUS Then- " It was me , " Elara said softly . Her voice trembled as she looked at me , her big doe eyes shimmering with innocence . " Selene said she was leaving the Vale , " she said with a small shrug . " So I figured ... she didn't pack anything , right ? I thought she probably didn't want them . I was just trying to help . Clear the space . " I stared at her . " You thought ? " My voice sharpened . " Who gave you the right to touch her things ? Did I ? " Elara flinched . Her face lost its color . " No , " she whispered . " I just thought- " " You thought what ? That humiliating her at our engagement party wasn't enough ? That now you'd erase her completely ? "