The night was like a bolt of the finest black velvet, gently enveloping the dazzling lights of the city.
Inside "The Star Spire," the city's most exclusive revolving restaurant, a melodious piano tune flowed like water through every inch of the space. Seraphina stirred the coffee before her. The delicate latte art rippled with the movement of the silver spoon, just like her heart, so full of sweetness it was about to overflow.
Seated across from her was her fiancé, Richard.
He was dressed in an impeccably tailored dark blue suit, his gold cufflinks reflecting minute sparks of light under the crystal chandelier. He was gazing at her with those eyes that always seemed to be smiling, his focus so intense and affectionate she felt as if she were the only treasure in the world.
"What are you thinking about, my princess?" Richard's voice was low and magnetic, each word like a feather, gently tickling Seraphina's heartstrings.
Seraphina looked up, a blissful smile blooming on her lips. "I was thinking, this is all too perfect. So perfect, it feels like a dream."
She wasn't wrong. Born into one of the city's most established and prestigious families, she had been a cherished princess since birth. And Richard, the most outstanding heir of another burgeoning powerhouse family, was handsome, considerate, and her childhood sweetheart. Their union was hailed by high society as the perfect fairy tale of a golden couple.
Tomorrow was their engagement ceremony. Tonight, Richard had booked the entire restaurant just for her, for a formal proposal. Even though everyone knew they would be together, this private, grand gesture moved Seraphina deeply.
"Silly girl, this isn't a dream," Richard said, reaching across the table to gently take her slightly cool hand. The warmth of his palm was incredibly reassuring. "This will be our reality. Forever."
His gaze was as deep as the ocean, and Seraphina felt herself nearly drowning in it. She squeezed his hand back, her eyes shimmering with happy tears. "Richard, I—"
"Shh," he interrupted with a smile, retrieving a velvet box from his pocket.
The moment the box opened, a magnificent pink diamond burst into a dazzling, brilliant light. Its flawless cut and pure color were enough to make any woman swoon.
"Seraphina, marry me." He got down on one knee, looking up at her with a devout reverence.
The surrounding waiters began to applaud at the perfect moment, and the piano music swelled to a crescendo. Seraphina covered her mouth as tears finally streamed down her face. She nodded vigorously, her voice trembling with emotion. "I do, Richard! Of course, I do!"
He slid the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit. The moment the cool band touched her skin, an immense wave of happiness washed over Seraphina. She believed this was the happiest moment of her life, the magnificent overture to her beautiful future.
She had no idea it was the beginning of her descent into hell.
Celebratory champagne was brought to the table, and along with it came her "dearest" stepsister, Liliana.
Liliana was wearing a simple white dress tonight, her face aglow with an innocent, radiant smile. Upon seeing them, she gasped dramatically. "Wow! Brother Richard, you did it! Congratulations!"
She fluttered over like a joyous butterfly and gave Seraphina a huge hug. "Sister, you're so happy! I'm so happy for you!"
Seraphina smiled genuinely. Although Liliana was the illegitimate daughter her mother had brought into the family, she had always been obedient and sweet, clinging to Seraphina like a little shadow. They were as close as real sisters. Receiving her blessing added another layer to Seraphina's happiness.
"Here, to celebrate this special moment, I had the restaurant prepare their treasured rosé champagne!" Liliana eagerly took the bottle from the waiter and poured the drinks herself.
The crystalline liquid fizzed with fine bubbles, emitting a sweet, fruity aroma.
"Sister, Brother Richard, a toast to you!" Liliana raised her glass, her eyes curving into joyful crescents. "May you live happily ever after!"
"Thank you, Lily," Seraphina said, her heart filled with warmth. She looked at the two people closest to her in the world and, without a moment's hesitation, drained her glass.
The champagne was mellow and sweet, but it seemed to go to her head more easily than usual.
After just one glass, Seraphina felt a sudden wave of dizziness. The scene before her began to blur and double. She shook her head, trying to stay clear, but her body refused to obey, a heavy weakness spreading through her limbs.
"I... I think I'm a little drunk..." she murmured, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Really? Since when is your tolerance so low, sister?" Liliana asked with concern as she steadied her, but a strange, imperceptible glint flashed in her eyes.
Richard also stood up and walked to her side. He spoke in a tone she had never heard before, a voice as cold and unfamiliar as ice. "It's better that you're drunk. It makes things... easier."
Seraphina's body went rigid. Her sluggish mind couldn't seem to process his words. She forced her eyes open, staring at her fiancé. His face still wore that gentle smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. Instead, it held a chilling indifference.
"Richard... what... what did you say?"
"I said," Richard leaned in, his lips close to her ear, his voice a cruel whisper only she could hear, "I'm sick and tired of your high-and-mighty, holier-than-thou act, Seraphina. Did you really think I loved you?"
*Boom.*
A clap of thunder seemed to detonate in Seraphina's mind, the shock momentarily cutting through the drug-induced haze. She stared at him in disbelief, the blood in her veins turning to ice.
"Why...?"
"Why?" Liliana let out a sharp, mocking laugh. She held Seraphina's shoulder, her once-innocent eyes now filled with a venomous jealousy. "My dear sister, you have everything. The family name, the beauty, the talent... You're the moon in the sky, and I'm just the mud beneath your feet. How is that fair? I've waited for this day for so, so long!"
Her voice was no longer sweet, but shrill and piercing. Her features were twisted with envy, her pure facade completely gone.
"So... the champagne..." Seraphina's consciousness was fading fast. Her body felt as heavy as lead; she couldn't even lift a finger.
"That's right. I added a little something extra," Liliana said, her smile widening with triumph. "Enough to make you sleep for a very long time. Long enough to miss your own engagement ceremony tomorrow. Long enough to ruin your reputation so completely that you'll never be worthy of Brother Richard again!"
"Richard... you... you let her do this?" Seraphina used her last ounce of strength to look at the man she had loved for years, her eyes filled with shattered plea.
Richard merely adjusted his cufflinks with cold detachment, looking down at her as if she were a piece of trash about to be discarded. "Lily is far more sensible than you, and a much better fit for me. As for you, Seraphina, starting tonight, you should disappear from my world. Completely."
That was the last thing she heard before she blacked out.
The loving words that had once filled her with such joy had, in an instant, become the curse that cast her into hell.
...
An unknown amount of time passed before Seraphina was jolted awake by a violent lurch.
She found herself in the back of a van, the air thick with the stench of stale tobacco and sweat. Her hands and feet were bound tightly with coarse rope, and a filthy rag was stuffed in her mouth, muffling her desperate whimpers.
Two burly men with leering eyes sat in the front, discussing her in vulgar tones.
"Damn, she's a piece of work. A real blue-blooded beauty, even passed out. Once we get her to the spot, the boys and I are gonna have to 'take good care' of her."
"Boss said not to touch her yet. That little bitch Liliana has other plans for her. Just lock her up in that old cabin in the mountains. We'll wait for the heat to die down."
"What a damn waste..."
Their every word was a poisoned knife, stabbing viciously into Seraphina's heart. Fear, humiliation, rage, despair... the emotions swirled together, a toxic storm threatening to consume her sanity.
She finally understood. This wasn't a nightmare.
Her fiancé and her stepsister had conspired to set the most malicious trap for her. They weren't just stealing her engagement; they were going to destroy her utterly.
Tears streamed silently from the corners of her eyes, soaking the hair at her temples. Seraphina bit down hard on the gag, refusing to make a sound. She couldn't give up. She would not be defeated like this! She had to live. She had to escape. She would make that vile pair pay for what they had done, a thousand times over.
The van bounced along a rugged mountain road for what felt like an eternity, long enough for Seraphina's bones to feel like they were rattling apart. Finally, it screeched to a halt in an extremely remote and desolate area.
She was dragged out of the vehicle roughly. Before her stood an abandoned wooden cabin, perched precariously in the depths of the forest, surrounded by endless darkness and the eerie chirping of insects.
"Get in, little miss high-and-mighty!"
One of the men sneered, kicking her into the cabin before slamming the door shut with a loud bang.
"The boss said you should stay in here and think about what you've done! Hahaha..."
Their fading, lewd laughter and the sound of the engine starting up followed. Soon, everything returned to a deathly silence.
The cabin was pitch black. The air was thick with the smell of damp mold and dust. Seraphina struggled to sit up from the cold, hard floor, her back against the rough wall, her body trembling violently from cold and fear.
She was a prisoner.
In a godforsaken place in the middle of nowhere.
And the ones who planned it all were the people she had loved and trusted the most.
An immense wave of despair washed over her, threatening to drown her. She didn't know what she was about to face, nor if she would even see another day. In the darkness, she could almost hear the low growl of wild beasts outside, and the frantic, terrified pounding of her own heart.
So, this is what hell felt like.
Seraphina curled into a ball in the corner, burying her face in her knees as cold tears finally broke free, silently soaking the fabric of her expensive evening gown.
She didn't know that in this abyss of utter despair, an encounter that would upend her entire destiny was quietly waiting. But for now, for her, this was only the first night of her descent into hell.