The Billionaire's Forgotten Sin

wore the gown Bianca chose. The deep blue hugged her frame. She forced a

hampagne. She toasted her stepsister's triumph. She p

r followed her like an echo. Guests flocked to congratulate her.

tonight," Bi

lled childhood moments when they whispered secr

the air. A string quartet switched to an upbeat waltz. Celeste offer

ed her she did not belong. She focused on Bianc

glass of champagne. She paused. The flute looked foamy. She

the terrace. The city lights glittered below. Cold air brushed her arms

e. "You've never l

linked. "

d. Then she turned and swept back inside. Celeste

swallowed again. She felt warmth rush through her li

ything we

her head. The bed lay beneath a painted ceiling. She reco

herself to rise. Movement blurred her vision

. She scanned the room. No lamp lit. Moonlight p

ng her arm. Laughter. Bianca's

She staggered toward the door. The corridor st

es widened. Bruises bloomed across her arms. A c

figure approached. Celeste could not see the face.

face th

. Celeste's heart jolted. She

e silk dress read like armor. Her lips curved

ght?" Bianca asked. She stepped closer

ed. She tried to s

Celeste's cheek. Her nails scra

ked. "Clean this up." Sh

k. The scratch burned. She followed

Her phone lay nearby. She unlocked it. Messages from friends flas

dialed Adrian Castellanos by mistake. His name glow

r bag and darted down the hall. She reached th

She scurried toward the service

h a speaker. "Stay wher

o security. She sucked in air a

d her approach. She pressed herself again

the center of a circle

"To Bianca. May h

ed the toast.

ripped the column. She clutched

aised her han

out," Bia

ell like a guillotine. A

. She met her fathe

nother grabbed her arm. T

hed free. Panic spurred her le

topped. Sil

voice called

to the night. Cold air hit her

g behind her. She

. She leaned against a tree. She pressed h

ne was nowhere to be found.

to the night.

d her. She spun around

She swallowed bile. He

ran

ove into the forest's edge. Th

t through the trees. A ca

d on leaves. The

ld her

nd grabbe

eyes. He lifted the flashlight.

eath c

You shouldn't h