The rain that night was merciless.
It fell in heavy sheets from the dark sky, drenching the empty street and washing the city in cold, unforgiving silence. Thunder rolled in the distance, low and ominous, like a warning the world had already given—but far too late.
Elena Hart lay sprawled on the wet pavement, her white engagement dress soaked through with rainwater and blood.
So much blood.
It spread beneath her like a cruel red flower, slowly blooming against the cold concrete.
Her fingers trembled weakly.
Cold.
Everything was so cold.
The sharp pain in her chest came in waves, each breath more difficult than the last. But even that agony was nothing compared to the crushing weight pressing down on her heart.
Because standing not far away—
Under the shelter of a black umbrella—
Was the man she had loved for seven years.
Jason Miller.
Perfect.
Untouched by the rain.
Untouched by her suffering.
And beside him…
Her best friend, Lily Chen, stood quietly with her arm looped intimately through his.
Their fingers were tightly intertwined.
As if they had always belonged together.
As if Elena had never existed at all.
For a long moment, Elena simply stared at them through the blur of rain and tears, her mind struggling to accept the scene in front of her.
Her voice came out hoarse and fragile.
"…Jason?"
The man she had once planned to marry looked down at her.
His eyes were cold.
Unfamiliar.
Completely devoid of the warmth she had once trusted with her whole heart.
Elena's chest tightened painfully.
"When…?" she whispered.
Just two days ago, he had still been gentle with her.
Still calling her his future wife.
Still promising her forever.
So when?
When did everything become a lie?
Jason's expression didn't change.
"You should have stayed obedient," he said flatly.
The words struck harder than the rain.
Elena's fingers dug weakly into the wet ground.
Obedient?
Her lips trembled.
"I… I trusted you…"
At that, Lily let out a soft, delicate laugh.
The sound was sweet.
Mocking.
Cruel.
"Oh, Elena," Lily said gently, tilting her head with fake sympathy. "Don't blame us."
Her grip on Jason's arm tightened possessively.
"Blame yourself for being too stupid."
Stupid.
The word echoed loudly in Elena's fading mind.
For seven years, she had loved Jason with everything she had.
She had supported him when his company struggled.
Defended him when others doubted him.
Even handed over Hart family resources to help him rise.
And this…
This was the ending she received.
A broken laugh bubbled weakly from Elena's throat, quickly swallowed by a cough of blood.
So foolish.
She had been so unbelievably foolish.
The rain continued to pour, soaking her hair, her skin, her bones.
Her vision was beginning to blur at the edges.
Darkness creeping closer.
Closer.
Jason finally spoke again, his voice impatient now.
"We're done here," he said.
As if her life were nothing more than an inconvenience.
He turned slightly, clearly preparing to leave.
Panic suddenly surged through Elena's weakening body.
"No—"
Her hand lifted weakly from the ground, fingers trembling as she reached toward him.
Not to beg.
Not anymore.
But because some stubborn, broken part of her still couldn't accept it.
"Jason…" her voice cracked. "Did you… ever… love me?"
The rain filled the silence that followed.
For a brief moment, Jason paused.
Then he looked back at her.
And whatever fragile hope remained inside Elena—
Shattered completely.
"You were useful," he said coldly.
Not love.
Never love.
Just…
Useful.
Something inside Elena finally broke.
A hollow, devastated sound escaped her lips, half laugh, half sob.
Her strength was fading fast now.
Her fingers slipped back onto the rain-slick pavement.
Her body was so heavy.
So tired.
Lily leaned slightly toward Jason, her voice soft but perfectly audible.
"Let's go," she said. "It's getting cold out here."
Jason nodded once.
Without another glance at Elena—
They turned and walked away together beneath the umbrella.
Step by step.
Until their figures blurred into the curtain of rain.
Until Elena was completely alone.
The storm raged above her.
But inside Elena's chest…
Everything was going terrifyingly quiet.
Her breathing slowed.
Each inhale weaker than the last.
Regret flooded her in those final moments.
Regret for her blindness.
Regret for her trust.
Regret for loving the wrong man with her whole heart.
If…
If she could live again…
Her fingers slowly curled into the wet pavement.
This time—
She would never love him.
Never trust so easily.
Never allow herself to be used and discarded.
And she would make every single one of them…
Pay.
Darkness swallowed her whole.
Elena's eyes snapped open.
She sat upright sharply, her chest heaving as air rushed violently back into her lungs.
Her heart pounded wildly.
Fast.
Too fast.
For a moment, she could still feel the phantom cold of the rain on her skin… the echo of pain in her chest… the crushing weight of betrayal.
But—
There was no rain.
No blood.
No cold pavement.
Only silence.
Breathing hard, Elena slowly looked around.
Her pupils shrank violently.
Pink curtains.
Familiar white furniture.
The vanity table she hadn't used in years.
And on the wall—
The calendar.
Her gaze locked onto the date.
Her fingers began to tremble.
"Three years…" she whispered.
Three years earlier.
Before the betrayal.
Before the engagement.
Before her death.
Elena slowly lifted her hands, staring at her smooth, uninjured skin in disbelief.
Alive.
She was alive.
For a long time, she said nothing.
Then—
Very slowly—
Elena Hart curled her fingers into a tight fist.
The softness in her eyes disappeared completely.
Replaced by something cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Her lips curved into the faintest, most chilling smile.
This time….
The hunt begins.