Chapter 1: The Night My Heart Broke

I stood frozen in front of the mirror, staring at the girl looking back at me.

The girl in the reflection adjusted a loose strand of chestnut hair behind her ear. I did the same. She bit her lip nervously. So did I.

"Emerald, if you keep staring at yourself any longer, you'll miss the party," Beth groaned from my bed. "Seriously, you're starting to scare us."

Casie laughed as she fixed the last curl beside my face. "She's not worried about the party. She's worried about one person."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"I... I'm just wondering if he'll notice me tonight," I whispered.

Beth rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Notice you? After everything we've done to make you look gorgeous? If Achilles Valencian doesn't notice you tonight, then the man is blind."

My heart skipped at the mention of his name.

Achilles.

Ace.

The boy who had unknowingly owned my heart since I was seven years old.

It had started with one small act of kindness.

Back then, I was a shy little girl who cried easily. Some older children had cornered me outside my elementary school, laughing as they threw my backpack into a muddy puddle.

I remembered standing there helplessly until a tall boy with messy black hair appeared.

"Leave her alone," he'd said calmly.

The bullies had laughed at first.

Then they recognized him.

Within seconds they scattered like frightened birds.

He picked up my backpack, wiped away the dirt, and smiled.

"You're safe now, Rosebud."

That nickname stayed with me forever.

From that day onward, every beat of my heart belonged to him.

Years later, on my ninth birthday, he had given me a beautiful Cinderella dress.

"Will you marry me someday?" I had asked innocently.

He laughed before crouching to my height.

"Not yet, Rosebud."

"Then when?"

"When you grow from a little rosebud into a beautiful rose."

For six long years, I waited to become that rose.

And tonight...

Tonight, I was finally going to confess my feelings.

"Come on!" Casie clapped excitedly. "Let's go before your siblings make their grand entrance."

I nodded, taking one deep breath after another.

Everything would change tonight.

Either my dream would finally come true...

Or it would end forever.

The Hutton mansion sparkled with golden lights.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated every corner while soft music floated through the ballroom.

Business leaders, celebrities, politicians, and close family friends filled the enormous hall.

Every birthday celebration hosted by the Hutton family became the talk of the city.

Tonight celebrated my older brother Tobias and my twin sister Tess turning nineteen.

"Emerald!"

My mother's cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts.

She hurried over before wrapping me in a warm embrace.

"Look at you! My little princess has grown into such a beautiful young lady."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

Dad smiled softly, though his eyes lingered on the white gown he had bought me earlier that week.

"I'm glad you chose to wear it," he said.

I smiled guiltily.

Earlier I had almost worn another dress, hoping Ace would notice me.

But when he'd looked disappointed after seeing it, I'd immediately changed.

Maybe...

Maybe he preferred me just the way I naturally was.

The thought filled my chest with hope.

The crowd erupted into applause as Tobias and Tess descended the grand staircase.

Both looked breathtaking.

Camera flashes illuminated the room.

Everyone celebrated.

Everyone except me.

Because my eyes searched only for one person.

Where are you, Ace?

Finally...

Near the drinks table stood a tall man dressed entirely in black.

Achilles Valencian.

Even from across the room he commanded everyone's attention.

His sharp jawline, storm-grey eyes, and broad shoulders made him impossible to ignore.

He looked older than his twenty-two years.

Colder.

Ever since his father's mysterious death a year ago, something inside him had changed.

The cheerful older brother I once knew had disappeared.

In his place stood a quiet young man carrying invisible scars.

Still...

Whenever he looked at me...

I always found traces of the Ace I loved.

Gathering every ounce of courage, I walked toward him.

"Hey..."

He lifted his eyes toward me.

"Rosebud."

Even hearing that nickname made my heart flutter.

"Will you play chess with me tonight?" I asked softly.

Chess had always been our thing.

Every month he'd visit our house, and we'd spend hours battling across the board.

He studied me for a few seconds before nodding.

"Sure."

"Really?"

"Meet me in the library."

Excitement burst inside me.

Without thinking, I threw my arms around his neck.

"Thank you!"

He stiffened in surprise before gently placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Go ahead," he murmured.

"I'll be there soon."

I practically floated upstairs.

Inside the family library, I carefully arranged every chess piece.

The white queen.

The black king.

Exactly how he liked them.

I rehearsed my confession over and over.

"Ace... I've loved you for years."

"Ace... I want to be more than your Rosebud."

"Ace..."

No.

Too awkward.

Maybe I'd simply tell him the truth.

"I love you."

Simple.

Honest.

Real.

Ten minutes passed.

Then twenty.

He never came.

My excitement slowly turned into worry.

Had something happened?

I left the library and headed downstairs.

The party had become louder.

Music echoed through the mansion.

Guests laughed and danced.

Still...

There was no sign of Ace.

I searched the ballroom.

The garden.

The entrance hall.

Nothing.

"Maybe he left," I whispered sadly.

Just as I turned toward the staircase, a strange sound reached my ears.

Soft laughter.

A woman's breathless giggle.

Curious, I followed the sound toward the balcony.

Moonlight spilled across the marble floor.

My footsteps slowed.

Then...

I saw them.

Time stopped.

Ace stood with his back against the balcony railing.

His arms were wrapped tightly around someone.

A woman.

No...

Not just any woman.

Tess.

My sister.

Their lips were locked together.

His fingers tangled in her blonde hair.

Her hands rested against his chest.

They looked completely lost in each other.

My body refused to move.

My lungs forgot how to breathe.

Every dream I'd protected for eight years shattered in one silent moment.

I couldn't hear the music anymore.

I couldn't hear the guests.

All I could hear was the sound of my own heart breaking.

A painful sob escaped before I covered my mouth.

I stumbled backward.

Neither of them noticed me.

Neither of them knew their happiness had destroyed someone else's world.

Tears blurred my vision as I ran.

I didn't stop until I reached my bedroom.

Locking the door behind me, I slid onto the cold wooden floor.

The pain inside my chest became unbearable.

I hugged my knees tightly.

"Why...?" I whispered between broken sobs.

"Why her...?"

Outside, someone knocked repeatedly.

"Emerald! Open the door!" Beth called.

"Em! Are you alright?" Casie's worried voice followed.

I couldn't answer.

I couldn't move.

The image of Ace kissing Tess replayed again and again inside my mind.

Every memory we'd shared suddenly felt meaningless.

Every smile.

Every chess match.

Every time he'd called me Rosebud.

Had I imagined everything?

Was I always just his best friend's little sister?

The little girl he'd pitied?

My tears soaked the front of my white gown.

Outside, the celebration continued.

Inside my room...

My world quietly fell apart.

That night, without anyone knowing, fifteen-year-old Emerald Hutton buried her first love.

And before sunrise...

She made a decision that would change all of their lives forever.