Deception in

e air, and she swirled around the dance floor with Williams, her heart light and her worries momentarily forgotten.

on forming. For the first time in ages, Nonna felt like she was truly se

lliams asked, his voice smooth as silk,

had in months. "I don't think I ever

eople in the room. But as the dance ended, Nonna glanced around the crowded ba

g the room for her best friend. Veronica had been so eager to be at

subtle shift in her m

probably just being paranoid. She's proba

eeling of unease lingered

-

sweet, too calculating, as she poured a dark liquid into a glass-a vial of something she'd obtained e

enough to mix. She smirked as she caught sight of Nonna across the room, still la

the thought of watching her best friend fall from grace. She wanted to take Nonna's place i

glass of champagne in hand. She approached her, the glea

. Here, have another drink," Veronic

versation with Williams, smiled faintly and accepte

ely containing the malice in her ton

took a sip. Her heart raced with excitement as she imagi

-

htly, and the edges of the room seemed to fade into the background. She sh

laced with concern. He reached ou

focused. "I... I don't feel so goo

eath. Something was off. "Yo

unsteady. Williams knew something was wrong but couldn't quite place it. He

guided her to a plush seat at the edge of the room, his eyes sca

-

rying to keep up. She felt like she was drifting in and out of consciousness. When she opened her eyes, she saw

adn't expected. He wasn't just concerned for her-he seemed to be carrying some weight him

hat happened to me?" She tried to sit up, but he

d the room, fury flashing in his eyes. "Who did this to you?" His j

face, but the world felt like it was spinning too fast. "Veronica... She gave me

quickly. He didn't want her to see him losing

hing precious. He couldn't understand why he was so deeply moved by her-he couldn't afford

-

nted. Her gaze fluttered open, and she found herself in a plush bed, the dim light casting shadows over her surr

e bed, his hand resting on the sheets beside her. His dark eyes me

r chest. Her heart was racing, but she couldn't recall anything

though the sharp edge in his tone hinted a

but everything felt like it was slipping through her fingers. "I don't remember any

eyes flickered with something deep, so

od of flashes filled the air. Paparazzi burst in, their cameras fla

t true? Did you sleep

ped. This wasn

ed in, a triumphant smirk on her face, watching the

" she cooed, "this is what happens when you trust the wrong peo

licious satisfaction in Veronica's eyes. The betrayal

r voice breaking, the tears she'd be

el amusement. "Everyone will know exactly what kind of person y

the cruel sting of her best friend's words echoing in her ears. The reality of what had happened began to sink in, and he

do was sit in shock, her heart breaking as