....... Prologue......

The Ashford Estate shimmered beneath thousands of golden lights.

Fresh flowers lined every pathway, crystal chandeliers sparkled through the mansion windows, and elegant music floated through the cool evening air. Luxury cars filled the driveway as the city's wealthiest families arrived one after another, dressed in their finest.

Tonight wasn't just another lavish party.

It was Athena Clifford's fifteenth birthday.

At the center of it all stood Athena.

She wore a flowing sapphire-blue gown that swept gracefully across the polished floor. Long satin gloves reached past her elbows, and sparkling white heels completed the outfit. Though the shoes pinched her feet and the dress felt heavier than she preferred, she never complained.

Her mother had chosen it.

And seeing the happiness in her mother's eyes made every bit of discomfort worthwhile.

"You look beautiful," Alice whispered, gently brushing a loose strand of hair away from Athena's face before placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I love you, sweetheart."

Athena smiled, wrapping her arms around her mother.

"I love you too."

Edward approach the pair "you look stunning my princess" he said with the smile Athena has always been seeing, bright and beautiful.

For a brief moment, the world felt perfect.

Then everything changed.

Edward Clifford cleared his throat and smiled warmly at the guests.

"Please excuse me for a few minutes. I'll be right back."

No one thought anything of it.

Five minutes passed.

Then ten.

Then twenty

Edward never returned.

Soft whispers spread through the ballroom.

"Where is Mr. Clifford?"

"Has something happened?"

Alice glanced toward the grand staircase, worry beginning to replace the smile on her face.

Without a word, she quietly slipped away.

Athena watched her disappear into the mansion.

A strange feeling settled deep inside her chest....

And again, the time passed by, painfully slow, the silence was loud, the music feels like noise and everyone was waiting for the Master and Mistress of the Ashford mansion, Athena got even more uncomfortable in her beautiful dress and heels, she struggled to maintain a smile, the smile looks frozen and forced, barely looking like a smile

The maids around put on a polite smile on their faces, trying to divert the attention of the guest from the sudden departure of the hosts, though their efforts proved futile...

After what feels like forever,

CRASH!

A deafening sound exploded through the estate.

The music stopped instantly.

Conversation died.

Even the servants stood frozen.

A horrifying scream echoed from somewhere inside the mansion.

Athena's heart stopped.

"Mom!"

She screamed and bolted toward the entrance forgetting she was uncomfortable moments ago

Before she could take another step, the head maid who has been with Alice since she was a child rushed from the hallway. Her face was drained of color, her hands trembling almost unnoticeably.

She grabbed Athena's arm.

"Young miss... don't!"

Her voice cracked with fear.

Athena struggled against her grip.

"Let me go! My mother is in there!"

The head maid only held on tighter, tears filling her eyes.

Then...

Darkness.

The last thing Athena heard was her mother's desperate scream echoing through the mansion.

........End of Prologue.........

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***