Billionaire's Sweetheart: A Tale Of Obsession

Alina's pov:

“Oh, look who’s late again?”

Sam’s voice cut through the hum of the ballroom, loud enough to turn heads and sharp enough to sting. Conversations paused, laughter thinned, and suddenly the warmth of the hall felt too bright against my skin.

I stopped at the edge of the entrance, one hand gripping the soft fabric of my gown as heat crept up my neck.

I smiled anyway.

“Guess what, Sam,” I said calmly, tilting my head as I met his smug grin, “it’s better to arrive a little late and look put together than to show up early and look half-done. Your wife looks unwell tonight, by the way. I hope she’s resting.”

The silence lasted half a second.

Then laughter broke out, scattered and delighted, rippling across the hall. Sam’s face fell, his lips parting as if he wanted to argue but couldn’t find the words fast enough.

I stepped past him without waiting for a reply.

“Better,” I whispered under my breath, the tension in my chest easing just a little.

It had been like this for five years now. Ever since Kieran had disappeared from my life, people like Sam seemed to think I was an easy target. He used to be one of the men Kieran never tolerated around me. I could still remember the way Kieran would place himself between us, calm on the surface, dangerous underneath.

That was a memory, I reminded myself firmly.

A past thing. A closed door.

The ballroom of the Astoria Grand Hotel unfolded before me in all its gold and glass. Crystal chandeliers hung low from the ceiling, casting warm light over marble floors and silk gowns. Tall arched windows looked out over the city, reflecting flickers of candlelight and movement like something out of a dream.

This was my twenty-third birthday gala.

And yet, standing there, I felt strangely hollow.

“Oh, there you are, my little fairy.”

Carter’s voice reached me before his hands did. I turned and found him standing near the sweeping staircase, dressed in a sharp navy suit, smiling at me as though the world had finally settled now that I had arrived.

I inhaled slowly.

Smile, Alina. That’s what you’re good at.

I gathered the skirt of my gold, glittering gown and made my way toward him. Every step felt heavier than it should have. Eyes followed me as I descended, familiar faces mixed with polite strangers. My family, Carter’s family, old classmates, people from the ice rink, donors, and friends of friends.

All of them smiling.

“Look at you,” Carter said warmly as he took my hand. “Always breathtaking. You never fail to steal the air from my lungs.”

“You say that every time,” I replied, rolling my eyes lightly while returning his smile.

“That’s because it’s always true.”

I laughed softly and tapped his chest with my fingers. His steadiness comforted me, even when my thoughts refused to settle.

“Ready for a dance, my love?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. “I am.”

The orchestra began to play, a slow, elegant melody that filled the hall. Carter guided me toward the dance floor, his hand secure at my waist. As we moved together, everything felt practiced and familiar, like the routines we used to rehearse on the ice.

The chandeliers glittered above us. Expensive perfume lingered in the air. Soft laughter and murmured conversations blended with the music.

We moved well together. Everyone always said that.

Still, my heart wasn’t fully in it.

And I knew why.

It was his birthday gift from years ago that surfaced in my mind without warning.

A memory.

I remembered standing in my childhood home, surrounded by pink ribbons and balloons, laughing as Kieran complained loudly about the color choice. He had pulled faces, dramatic and exaggerated, swearing pink was an offense to his eyes. Then he had gone and arranged everything exactly the way I wanted it.

I remembered the way his jaw tightened when a boy from my class had knelt in front of me, red-faced and nervous, asking me to be his girlfriend.

I remembered how that boy never spoke to me again after that night.

That was how Kieran loved. Fierce. Quiet. Absolute.

The memory faded, leaving a dull ache behind.

“You’re tense,” Carter said softly, noticing the stiffness in my shoulders. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing,” I replied too quickly, forcing a light laugh.

“Alina.” He lifted my chin gently. “You can tell me.”

“I’m fine,” I said, then hesitated. “It’s just… a lot sometimes.”

He nodded, pulling me closer as we swayed. “Soon everyone will be gone, and it’ll just be you and me. No noise. No pressure. I promise.”

I nodded, though the tightness in my chest didn’t ease.

“Well,” Carter added with a grin, “if it makes you feel any better, I picked your favorite cake. Strawberry. Pink. Exactly the way you like it.”

“That wasn’t Dad’s plan?” I asked.

“No,” he said softly. “Your dad had other things to manage. I wanted to do something for you too.”

“You already do so much for me,” I started.

“Don’t,” he interrupted gently, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. “Just let me take care of you tonight.”

I looked at him, guilt creeping into my veins like something bitter.

He had been there for me when Kieran left. He had stayed when everyone else assumed I would fall apart. Everyone said I was lucky.

Maybe I was.

“Carter, darling.”

His mother’s voice slid between us before I could speak again. Evelyn stood beside us in emerald silk, diamonds glinting at her ears, elegance sharpened by control.

“Your father is speaking with the senator,” she said coolly. “He wants you to come greet him.”

“I’ll be there in a moment, Mother,” Carter replied without looking away from me.

Her smile faltered briefly before she turned her gaze on me.

“Oh, Alina,” she said sweetly. “You look lovely tonight. That gown suits you so well. Isn’t this the one you asked Carter to buy?”

Heat rushed to my face.

“Mom—” Carter began.

“This was a gift from my mother,” I said calmly, cutting in.

Evelyn paused, then nodded. “I see. A lovely choice. Simple. Elegant. No diamonds. Very… cute.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I replied, though the words tasted sharp.

She lingered a moment longer, then moved away, leaving behind jasmine and judgment.

Carter sighed softly. “Don’t let her get to you.”

“I won’t,” I said, knowing it wasn’t true.

We finished the dance, and I was just about to excuse myself to the terrace when Carter leaned closer.

“Alina,” he said carefully. “I know tonight wasn’t meant for surprises, but it feels right.”

His hand slipped toward his pocket.

My breath caught.

“Carter, please—”

Before anything else could happen, a voice cut through the music.

“Sir—watch out!”

The shout came from somewhere behind us. Our heads whipped at that direction. The orchestra faltered. A crash followed, loud and violent.

The massive floral chandelier above the stage came loose.Screams filled the air.

I looked up just in time to see it falling.Dad looking pale like he had no time to react.

My world tilted upon the sight right infront of me.

And the last thing I heard before everything disappeared was Carter screaming my name.