Vivienne's POV Kael's head whipped around . His eyes went wide . " Nyssa ! " She smiled at me first , soft and fleeting , before fixing her gaze back on him . " Why do you always need someone else to blame for your mistakes ? Why is it so impossible for you to admit the truth - that the only monster here is you ? " " I'm the monster ? " Kael gave a low , incredulous laugh . " Vivienne , sure , I'd expect her to say that . But you ? Tell me , Nyssa- what have I ever done to hurt you ? " Nyssa's steps quickened , her words sharp and sure . " First , you lied about everything . You made me the unknowing third wheel in your marriage . Second , you ignored me - again and again . I told you Vivienne was my friend, and still , you chose to hurt her . And then you wanted to use me as your excuse for every mistake ? No. I won't let you . " Her voice broke . " And third - you never respected either of us . Not me . Not Nyssa . To you , we were just accessories . " I added , my voice like glass . " If you respected me enough , you would have never cheated . And if you respected her enough , you would never make the woman you love a shaming secret that you have to hide . " Nyssa moved to stand at my side . That was when Elias dropped his hand from my waist and stepped forward . Calm . Deadly calm . Then his fist shot out , connecting squarely with Kael's jaw . The crack echoed through the ballroom . " Such an asshole , " Elias said coldly , shaking out his fist . " I've wanted to do that since the day I met Vivienne . " Kael staggered back , shock flashing across his face . No one - ever - had treated him like this . He looked rabid , lunging for Elias- " Hm . " A woman's voice , silken and commanding , cut the air . Heads turned as she entered , a vision in a stunning gown . Kael froze . " Mrs. Baliy . " Elias's mother . " Why is there so much noise ? " Mrs. Baliy's brow arched , displeased . " Nothing , " Kael said quickly , straightening his suit , forcing composure . He extended a hand . " Just a misunderstanding . Allow me to- " She swept right past him , ignoring his hand . Her eyes softened as she stopped before Elias . " Son , you look handsome tonight . And who is this beautiful young woman ? " 1/3 +25 Bonus " Vivienne Vaelen , " I murmured , bowing my head slightly . Her smile warmed as she clasped my hand . " I've heard of you . You made quite a name for yourself in New York . " My pulse skipped . She knew about my past ? " Just ordinary , " I deflected . " Don't be modest , " she said smoothly . " If you ask me , you're a hundred times more qualified than that man standing here . " Kael's face darkened . " Mrs. Baliy , she- " " You think I'll believe your words , Mr. Throne ? " she cut in sharply . " I did my own investigation . And let's just say - even for a man - you've outdone yourself in cruelty. " Then she turned back to me , her grip steady . " My son has a sharp eye . Miss Vaelen is exceptional - above men and women alike . " Kael's eyes widened , his jaw tight . He'd spent years trying to court families like the Baliys - and now they were extending their hand to me . And me ? I was stunned , too . To face Kael again , surrounded by gossip and chaos . But for the first time , I wasn't afraid . If anything , I felt powerful . Empowered . Why had I ever run from him ? He was nothing but a joke . < Elias slid his hand into mine , tugging me close until his breath brushed my ear . " Come , " he murmured . " Don't waste our night on trash . " I gave Nyssa's hand a quick squeeze before letting go . She only winked at me , mischief glinting in her eyes . " Go on . " The ballroom shifted almost instantly , laughter and champagne bubbling back to the surface as though nothing had happened . The glittering crowd preferred its illusions intact . But I looked back once more . Kael stood off to the side , apart from it all - an outsider in the very world he once ruled . His gaze darted , restless , his fists clenched at his sides . I could see he wanted to act , to fight , to reclaim something . But he didn't . He wouldn't . A coward . Always a coward . Quick to crush the weak , but never brave enough to face anyone stronger . " Don't look at him , " Elias murmured , squeezing my hand . His eyes locked on me , dark and intent . " You're radiant tonight , V. " " Thanks . " My lips curved into a smile I hadn't worn in years . I looked at the man standing before me . His dark eyes held mine as if I was the only one in the room , as if all the chaos and the noise of this glittering world meant nothing . 2/3 720 +25 Bonus For so long , I'd been surviving . Running from Kael , running from my past , running from everything I thought I couldn't face . But with Elias here , I wasn't running anymore . I was choosing . Choosing him . Choosing myself . Choosing a future that didn't begin and end with pain . He leaned in , his voice low , " I don't care about who you were . I care about who you are now . And I'd like to be there for who you'll become . " I smiled , a real one this time . I realized - my new life hadn't even begun yet . And for the first time in years , I wasn't afraid of what came next . Continue Reading