The ballroom glittered like a jewel box.
Golden chandeliers dripped from the high ceilings, casting a soft glow over the elegantly dressed crowd. Waiters floated through the sea of guests with silver trays of champagne, and a string quartet played soft classical music from a stage near the grand staircase.
This was the engagement party every socialite dreamed of.
And Maria Sinclair stood at the center of it—stunning, poised, and smiling like she didn't already know how this story ended.
Her champagne-colored gown shimmered under the lights. Her hair was swept into a graceful chignon. The diamond on her finger sparkled like it belonged there.
She looked every inch the perfect fiancée.
But beneath her smile, her heart beat with razor-wire focus.
Because tonight, the game began.
---
She moved through the crowd with effortless grace, greeting politicians, CEOs, and family friends who barely concealed their envy. Every time someone raised a glass to her and Ian, she smiled like she meant it.
He stood nearby, ever composed in his black tux, accepting compliments with clipped nods. He had always been the quieter one at events, letting Maria carry the social side. It used to frustrate her—how he could fade into the background even as he commanded attention.
Now she watched him with new eyes.
Was he just playing a role too? Or was this who he truly was?
She had no time to find out tonight. Not yet.
Tonight was about Dana.
---
"Maria, darling!" Dana's voice chimed like a bell behind her.
Maria turned, plastering on the smile she'd practiced in her sleep.
Dana swept in wearing a bold red gown that clung to her like a warning sign. Her hair was curled to perfection, her lipstick a deeper red than usual. She looked like sin wrapped in satin.
"You look amazing," Dana said, giving her a brief hug. "Absolutely breathtaking."
"Thank you," Maria said, stepping back before the touch could linger. "You look… fierce."
Dana grinned. "You know me. I hate to blend in."
"You never do," Maria said, eyes gleaming.
Dana raised her glass. "To the bride-to-be. You deserve tonight."
"Oh, I know," Maria said, and sipped.
---
An hour into the party, Maria was ready to spring her first move.
She approached the champagne station and spotted the perfect target: Carla Bennett, a vicious gossip and one of Dana's least-favorite people. In her last life, Carla had once overheard Dana talking about Ian and had tried to sell the story to a tabloid.
Maria poured herself a fresh glass and made her way over to Carla.
"Maria! Congratulations," Carla purred. "Everyone's talking about how stunning you look tonight."
"Thank you," Maria replied sweetly. "I was just thinking about how funny it is that Dana and Ian used to spend so much time together alone. Remember that business trip to Milan last year?"
Carla blinked, interested. "They went alone?"
Maria lowered her voice. "Well, I wasn't supposed to say anything. But I found a receipt for a suite booked under both their names."
Carla's mouth opened, and Maria quickly added, "Forget I said anything. Tonight's about celebrating."
She winked and moved on.
The match had been lit.
---
Thirty minutes later, whispers began weaving through the ballroom like invisible snakes.
By the time Maria passed the dessert table, she overheard two socialites murmuring.
"She said Dana and Ian were in Milan together?"
"That's what I heard. Apparently a shared suite."
Maria smiled to herself as she accepted another glass.
Dana hadn't noticed yet.
She would.
---
Finally, the moment came.
Maria stood at the top of the stairs next to Ian, prepared to deliver their thank-you speech. The guests quieted as Ian raised a glass.
"I want to thank you all for being here tonight," he said, voice deep and steady. "Maria and I are grateful to have so many people we care about in one room."
He glanced at her, and Maria smiled.
But before she could speak, a commotion broke out near the fountain at the base of the staircase.
"Excuse me—what did you just say?" Dana's voice sliced through the room like a blade.
All heads turned.
Dana stood rigid, glaring at Carla Bennett, who had clearly just whispered something unfortunate.
Carla gave a nervous laugh. "Oh, I didn't mean anything! Just that Maria mentioned something about—"
"You're lying," Dana snapped.
Maria stepped forward, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Dana, is everything okay?"
Dana turned, eyes wild.
"You said I slept with Ian in Milan?" she hissed.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
Maria blinked innocently. "I never said that. I said I found a receipt with both your names. I assumed it was business-related."
Dana stared at her, fury bubbling beneath her perfectly composed face. "You're twisting things."
Maria tilted her head. "Are you denying it?"
Ian moved down the stairs now, tension in every step.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Dana quickly adjusted her expression. "Nothing. Just a misunderstanding."
Ian looked at Maria.
Maria gave a soft shrug. "I probably shouldn't have said anything. I didn't mean to cause trouble."
Dana opened her mouth to speak again, but the room was already murmuring. Eyes darted between her and Ian, and the damage had been done.
A little poison in the glass. Just enough.
---
Later, while the crowd danced and music resumed, Dana cornered Maria on the balcony.
"You planned that," she snapped, voice low and venomous.
Maria sipped her champagne, unbothered. "Planned what?"
"That little scene. You knew what Carla would do."
"Maybe. Or maybe people are just starting to see you for who you really are."
Dana stepped closer. "Careful, Maria. You're playing a dangerous game."
Maria leaned in, her voice soft and lethal. "So are you. And I've already died once. What do I have to lose?"
Dana blinked.
Maria walked away.
---
Back inside, Ian found her by the drinks.
"I need to ask you something," he said.
She turned slowly. "Go ahead."
"Did you really find a receipt? About Milan?"
Maria smiled sweetly. "Does it matter if I did?"
Ian's eyes narrowed. "You're not the same woman I proposed to."
"No," she said, stepping closer. "I'm someone who finally knows how to survive."
She brushed past him, leaving him staring after her.