I’ve loved Kevin for three years—since we met at a campus poetry reading, where he stumbled over his words but made me laugh anyway. He’s gentle, grounded, the only person who sees me as Selina, not the heiress my parents molded. But they’ve had enough of 'common distractions.' They want me to marry Adrian Vale—the son of the man who bankrupted my father. I refused. Of course I did. But they insisted I at least be civil.

So I smiled through dinners. Listened as Adrian spoke of restitution, of rebuilding bridges. He didn’t defend his father’s actions—he condemned them. Said his family’s victory was hollow. I started believing him.

Then Kevin found out. Confronted me in the garden last night, eyes blazing. 'Are you really going to do this? Marry the enemy?' I swore my heart was still his. That I’d find a way.

Tonight, he’s coming to meet my parents—to prove he’s worthy. But as I wait at the gate, I see them: Kevin and Adrian, face to face in the driveway. Adrian goes pale. 'You’re… the Langston heir?' Kevin smirks, cold. 'And you’re the boy whose family stole my father’s company. Funny how history repeats.'

I stand frozen. The man I love… is the reason my family fell.