My warm smile faltered as Jackson walked past me, leaving the venue without a single word. I bit my lip, the urge to chase after him a war with the hurt blooming in my chest.

Vivian placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "He'll come around," she assured me. "Jackson's just...protective of us."

I forced a sigh, scanning the crowd for Nina and Arthur. Finding them absent, I wandered towards the restroom, the diamond ring on my finger suddenly feeling heavy. As I passed a stall, a muffled moan drifted out. My hand flew to my mouth to stifle a gasp.

"Do you really want to marry her?" It was Nina's voice, laced with unmistakable desire.

The world tilted. Bile rose in my throat.

"No," came Arthur's reply, equally passionate. "You're the one I want, Nina. She's..."

Nina cut him off with a throaty laugh. "Then why introduce me as your sister?"

"It was part of the plan," he mumbled, his voice thick with urgency.

“Hmmm, fuck me harder, Arthur... make me yours… I’m all yours!”

Fury tightened my throat. Tears welled in my eyes, blurring the vision of the ring on my finger. It wasn't a symbol of love anymore; it was a cruel reminder of the carefully constructed lie I'd called my life.

For years, I'd been oblivious. Vivian and Jackson have seen it all along.

How could I have been so blind?

KARA’S POV

My fists clenched at my sides, a silent scream trapped in my throat. I bolted for the exit, the venue's vibrant music turning into a suffocating thrum behind me.

I opened an empty room and locked the door behind me. Slowly sinking onto the floor, I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to contain the storm within.

Tears welled up, blurring the fairy lights filtering through the window - a cruel reminder of a happiness I no longer felt.

Heartbroken sobs wracked my body, each one a release of the crushing disappointment that threatened to consume me.

Memories flashed in the back of my mind, a bittersweet montage of happier times…

SEVEN YEARS AGO.

"Arthur, what's up? Everyone's going to the stadium. Are you coming?" I asked with a smile on my face.

He shyly scratched the back of his neck and said, "Actually... I wanted to tell you something."

"Cool! What is it?" I asked. Then I glanced at my friends, especially Vivian, who liked to criticize Arthur. "Everyone can wait for a few minutes, right, guys?"

Vivian replied, "Yeah, right. Let's give them some space..."