Serena's POV
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
"How could I forget you?"
Adrian's words echoed in my mind, repeating again and again like a warning bell.
We hadn't met yet.
Not in this timeline.
So how could he possibly recognize me?
I forced my expression to remain calm, even though my thoughts were racing.
"Are you sure we've met before?" I asked carefully.
Up close, Adrian's presence felt even more overwhelming. He was taller than most men in the room, his broad shoulders straight and confident beneath his tailored black suit. His grey eyes studied my face in a way that made me feel like he was reading every thought in my mind.
For several seconds, he didn't answer.
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"Not yet," he said.
The words sent a chill down my spine.
Not yet?
What was that supposed to mean?
Before I could ask anything else, he extended his hand toward me.
"Adrian Kingsley."
His voice was calm, steady.
Almost formal.
As if the strange moment from earlier hadn't happened.
I hesitated for a brief second before placing my hand in his.
"Serena Vale."
His hand was warm and firm around mine.
But the moment our hands touched, something strange happened.
His grip tightened slightly.
Not painfully.
Just enough for me to notice.
When I looked up, his expression had changed.
For a split second, something flickered in his eyes.
Relief.
The emotion was gone almost instantly, replaced by the usual cool indifference he showed the world.
But I had seen it.
And it made my heart beat faster.
Why would Adrian Kingsley feel relieved to see me?
Unless...
No.
I quickly pushed the thought away.
That kind of thing only happened in stories.
People didn't just remember past lives.
Right?
Lily suddenly stepped forward beside me.
"Mr. Kingsley," she said sweetly, flashing him one of her most charming smiles.
"I'm Lily Vale. Serena's sister."
Her voice was soft and gentle, the same tone she used whenever she wanted someone to like her immediately.
In my previous life, it had worked on almost everyone.
Including my father.
Including countless people in high society.
And for a long time, I believed it had worked on Adrian too.
But now I watched him carefully.
Waiting for his reaction.
Adrian glanced at Lily briefly.
Only briefly.
His expression didn't change.
"Miss Vale," he said politely.
That was it.
No warmth.
No interest.
Just polite acknowledgment.
Lily's smile faltered slightly, but she recovered quickly.
"We've heard so much about you," she continued, clearly trying to keep his attention.
"You're very impressive for someone so young."
Adrian nodded once.
"Thank you."
Then his gaze shifted back to me.
Completely ignoring her.
Lily's fingers tightened slightly around her clutch purse.
If someone wasn't watching closely, they might miss the flash of irritation that crossed her face.
But I saw it.
I had spent my entire life watching Lily's expressions.
Learning the difference between her real emotions and the ones she showed the world.
Adrian spoke again.
"Would you mind walking with me for a moment, Miss Vale?"
The question caught me off guard.
"Me?"
"Yes."
He gestured toward the quieter side of the ballroom where a large balcony overlooked the city.
"I'd like to talk."
Lily's head snapped toward him.
"Serena just arrived," she said quickly. "Maybe I could-"
"I asked Miss Serena."
Adrian's voice wasn't loud.
But it was firm enough to stop her instantly.
Silence settled between us for a moment.
Then I nodded.
"Alright."
I followed Adrian through the crowd toward the balcony doors.
I could feel Lily's stare burning into my back the entire time.
The night air was cool when we stepped outside.
The balcony overlooked the glowing city skyline, lights stretching endlessly into the distance.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Adrian stood beside the railing, his hands resting casually in his pockets as he looked out over the city.
Then he glanced at me again.
"You look different."
I frowned slightly.
"Different from what?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he studied my face again with that same intense gaze.
Finally, he said quietly,
"Different from how I remember you."
My stomach tightened.
There it was again.
That strange sentence.
"How you remember me?"
I crossed my arms slightly.
"Mr. Kingsley, are you sure we've met before?"
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Very sure."
"But I don't remember meeting you."
"That's understandable."
My patience was beginning to wear thin.
"Then maybe you should explain."
For a moment, Adrian didn't respond.
The wind moved gently through his dark hair as he looked out over the city again.
Then he said something that made my entire body freeze.
"You died on a balcony."
My heart stopped.
The world seemed to tilt slightly beneath my feet.
Slowly... very slowly... I turned to look at him.
His expression was calm.
Almost thoughtful.
"You were holding a champagne glass," he continued quietly.
"It slipped from your hand when you collapsed."
My breathing became shallow.
That scene...
That exact moment...
No one should know about it.
Not yet.
Not in this timeline.
I stared at him, my voice barely above a whisper.
"How do you know that?"
Adrian finally turned to face me fully.
Our eyes locked.
And this time, he didn't hide the strange emotion in his gaze.
Regret.
"I was there," he said.
My heart pounded violently.
"That's impossible."
"In this timeline," he agreed calmly.
The words hit me like lightning.
Silence filled the balcony.
Neither of us spoke for several seconds.
Then I asked the only question that mattered.
"You remember it too... don't you?"
Adrian didn't look surprised.
Instead, a small, almost amused smile appeared on his face.
"Yes," he said simply.
My breath caught.
The impossible had just become real.
I wasn't the only one who had returned.
Adrian Kingsley remembered the future too.
And suddenly...
My second life had become far more dangerous than I ever imagined.
