New York,

January, 2023.

The Golden Gala was in full swing, the cream of New York's elite mingling and laughing together. Lily Ashton, a vision in emerald green, navigated the crowded ballroom with a forced smile. Her long, curly brown hair cascaded down her back, and her bright green eyes sparkled with a hint of sadness, as she ignored the rising buzz of rumors. She wore a stunning emerald green gown, its delicate straps and flowing skirt showcasing her curves.

That's when she saw them - Elliot, her husband, and Eloise, her stepsister. Elliot, tall and lean, with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes, stood with his arm around Eloise's waist. He wore a tailored black tuxedo, his crisp white shirt and bow tie perfectly knotted. Eloise, a petite blonde with a flawless complexion and a cruel smile, laughed up at him, her eyes gleaming with triumph. She wore a stunning red gown, its fitted bodice and flowing skirt showcasing her curves.

"Lily, darling," Eloise cooed, her voice dripping with insincerity. "You look stunning. But then, you always did know how to make an entrance."

Lily's eyes narrowed. "Eloise, always the charmer."

Eloise's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "I'm just telling the truth, sweetie. You do look lovely. But then, you're not exactly the belle of the ball tonight, are you?"

Lily's hands clenched into fists. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Eloise's eyes sparkled with malice. "Oh, come on, Lily. Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

Elliot stepped forward, his expression softening. "Eloise, that's enough."

But Eloise just laughed. "Oh, Elliot, don't be such a bore. Lily needs to know the truth."

And with that, Eloise tossed her glass of red wine into Lily's face, the liquid splashing across her dress, causing the crowd of growing onlookers to gasp.

"You're just a relic of the past, Lily," Eloise sneered. "And it's time someone took you down a peg."

Lily's eyes flashed with anger. "You're going to regret that," she hissed.

Elliot stepped forward, his expression softening. "Lily, please—"

But Lily turned on him, her eyes blazing. "You're just as bad as she is," she spat. "You're just as guilty."

Elliot's face fell, but Lily didn't care. She turned and ran, her heels clicking on the marble floor as she fled the ballroom.

Elliot chased after her, catching up to her in the parking lot. "Lily, wait!" he called out.

Lily spun around, her eyes flashing with anger. "Leave me alone, Elliot."

Elliot's expression softened. "Lily, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

Lily laughed, the sound bitter. "You're sorry? You're sorry for destroying me, for breaking my heart into a million pieces?"

Elliot's face fell, but he didn't back down. "Lily, I love you," he said, his voice low and husky.

Lily's eyes narrowed. "You love me? You love me? You have a funny way of showing it."

Elliot's eyes flashed with desire, and he reached out, his hands closing around Lily's waist. "Lily, please, give me a chance to make it up to you..." he whispered, his lips inches from hers.

But Lily refused to give in. She pushed him away, her hands slapping hard against his chest. "No, Elliot. I won't let you do this to me again."

Elliot's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're just playing hard to get," he sneered, his hands closing around her waist again.

But Lily was having none of it. She slapped him, her hand connecting with his cheek. "Leave me alone!" she spat.

Elliot's face fell, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're just a cold, heartless bitch," he sneered. "You never loved me. You only loved yourself."

Lily's eyes flashed with tears, but she refused to cry. "You're one to talk," she spat. "You're the one who cheated on me, who lied to me, who broke my heart."

Elliot's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're just a relic of the past," he sneered. "And it's time someone took you down a peg."

Lily's eyes narrowed. "You're so brainwashed you can't even give a decent clap back. I heard enough... you're going to regret this," she hissed.

And with that, she turned and ran, her heels clicking on the pavement as she fled the parking lot.