Elena POV
"If you really believe that ring makes you Adrian's future wife, then you're even more pathetic than I thought."
Vivian's voice was a soft, poisonous whisper, meant only for me despite the sweet smile on her lips. We stood at the top of the grand marble staircase inside the Blackwood mansion, surrounded by the quiet clink of crystal glasses and the low hum of laughter from the family's annual gathering.
I glanced past her at my fiancé, Adrian Blackwood, who stood several feet away with two business associates. He hadn't looked at me once since I arrived twenty minutes ago, yet his hand had rested comfortably against Vivian's lower back until she deliberately stepped away to confront me.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion, Vivian."
Her smile widened, but there was nothing warm about it. "You should, because I'm about to save you from embarrassing yourself in front of everyone."
I folded my arms across my chest, refusing to let her see how much her words affected me. "Adrian and I are engaged, and whatever problem you have with that is between you and him."
"Engaged?" Vivian gave a quiet laugh, her fingers brushing over the delicate diamond bracelet around her wrist. "He bought this for me last week while he canceled your anniversary dinner, Elena."
My gaze dropped to the bracelet before I could stop myself. I remembered that dinner clearly because I had spent two hours sitting alone in the restaurant, staring at the untouched dessert Adrian had promised we would share.
Vivian leaned closer, lowering her voice as though she were sharing a secret. "He spends his nights at my apartment when he's stressed, answers my calls before yours, and comes running whenever I need him."
She lifted her hand, letting the diamond catch the chandelier light. "You have his ring, but I have his heart, and deep down, you already know which one matters more."
The words hurt because I couldn't deny them. For three years, I had convinced myself that Adrian was simply busy, emotionally reserved, or too burdened by his responsibilities to show me the affection I wanted.
But tonight, watching him laugh with other people while barely acknowledging my existence, I could no longer lie to myself. He had never been too busy to care about someone else.
"If Adrian wants to end our engagement, he can tell me himself," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Until then, I have nothing more to say to you."
I stepped toward the stairs, but Vivian suddenly caught my forearm. Her fingers dug into my skin with surprising force, and I turned back to find the sweetness completely gone from her expression.
"He will never choose you," she whispered.
"Let go of me, Vivian."
I pulled my arm free, careful not to shove her. I didn't even use enough force to make her stumble, but the moment my hand left hers, Vivian's eyes widened in exaggerated horror.
She gasped loudly and deliberately stepped backward. There was nothing behind her except empty air.
Then she threw herself over the edge of the staircase.
Her body tumbled down the carpeted marble steps, and the sickening sound of each impact echoed through the enormous foyer. The crystal glasses stopped clinking, conversations died instantly, and dozens of stunned faces turned toward us.
"Elena, no!"
Vivian's cry shattered the silence as she landed awkwardly on the landing below. She clutched her ankle and burst into tears, her voice trembling with accusation.
"Why would you do that?" she sobbed. "I was only trying to talk to you!"
My heart slammed against my ribs. "What?" I gasped, staring down at her in disbelief. "I didn't push you!"
Footsteps thundered across the polished floor. Adrian shoved past me so hard that my shoulder struck the wooden railing, yet he didn't stop to ask if I was hurt.
He dropped to his knees beside Vivian and pulled her into his arms with a desperate protectiveness I had spent three years begging to see directed at me. "Vivian, look at me," he said, his voice shaking with fear. "Are you hurt?"
Then his gaze lifted to mine. Whatever warmth had once existed in his eyes was gone, replaced by a cold fury that made my stomach twist.
"What the hell did you just do?"
"Adrian, listen to me!" I hurried down several steps, my hands shaking so badly that I clenched them into fists. "I didn't push her. She grabbed me, and when I pulled my arm away, she threw herself down the stairs."
"Shut up!"
Adrian rose to his feet and stormed toward me. "You've been jealous of Vivian ever since she came back, and I've tolerated your insecurity for long enough."
His jaw tightened as he stared at me. "But this is different, Elena. You could have killed her."
"I am telling you the truth!"
Tears blurred my vision as they spilled down my cheeks. "Check the security cameras, Adrian. Check the footage and you'll see that I never pushed her."
"There's nothing to check."
Vivian's trembling voice came from behind him, and Adrian immediately turned toward her. "I'm taking her to the hospital."
"I'm coming with you," I said quickly, stepping toward them. "A full examination will prove that she's fine, and the security footage will prove I didn't touch her."
Adrian stopped and turned back to me. His expression was so cold that for a moment, I barely recognized the man I had agreed to marry.
"Stay away from her, Elena."
His voice was flat and final. "You've done enough damage for one night."
Before I could respond, he bent down and lifted Vivian into his arms. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against his chest as though he were the only person in the world who could keep her safe.
Adrian carried her toward the entrance without looking back. I stood frozen on the staircase, watching the man I loved walk away with another woman while everyone around me silently judged me.
Just before they reached the doors, Vivian glanced over Adrian's shoulder. For one brief second, the fear disappeared from her face, replaced by a tiny, triumphant smile.
Then she buried her face against Adrian's chest again and pretended to tremble. My stomach churned as the truth finally settled over me. The fall had been a trap from the beginning.
Before I could move, my mother seized my arm. Her fingers dug into my skin as she leaned close, her face pale and her eyes darting anxiously toward the silent crowd.
"Control yourself, Elena," she hissed. "Don't ruin our alliance with the Blackwoods over a temporary setback."
My father's voice joined hers, low and firm. "She's right, Elena. Go after Adrian and apologize before you make this worse."
I stared at them both in disbelief. My parents weren't asking whether I was innocent. They were only worried about losing the Blackwoods' support.
I slowly pulled my arm from my mother's grip. Without saying another word, I turned away from them and walked toward the entrance.
Outside, cold rain poured over the mansion grounds. I stood beneath the porch and watched Adrian's sleek black car disappear through the gates, carrying him and Vivian away.
For three years, I had believed that if I loved Adrian enough, he would eventually choose me. Tonight, I finally understood that I had been fighting for a place in his heart that had never belonged to me.
I stepped off the porch, letting the rain soak through my clothes. I didn't care where I went anymore, as long as it was somewhere far away from the Blackwoods.
Then the rain suddenly stopped hitting my face.
An umbrella had opened above my head, shielding me from the downpour. A quiet voice came from behind me.
"You shouldn't be standing out here."
