Chapter 3
Serena's POV
One month later.
The Met Gala. Manhattan's biggest night.
This past month, New York's business world had been in freefall.
Astor pulled every dollar. Victor went for the throat on Wall Street. Vance Group's stock got cut in half. Julian was scrambling, begging for scraps, getting doors slammed in his face.
Tonight was his last shot.
He needed new investors, or Vance Group was done.
I walked the red carpet in deep crimson velvet—Victor's choice—my arm looped through his. Cameras went crazy. Everyone watching the Kanes arrive.
Inside the hall, I spotted them immediately.
Julian and Emma.
She wore white lace, playing the innocent victim perfectly. Clinging to Julian's arm, giving everyone that wounded look.
When she saw me, jealousy flashed in her eyes.
She let go of Julian and headed straight for me, champagne in hand.
"Serena..." Emma's eyes instantly welled up. "I know you're still angry with Julian. That day at the airport—I didn't mean to cause trouble. I was just so scared. Please don't destroy Vance Group because you're upset with me. Julian's been through so much this month."
Neat trick. Making me look like the jealous, vindictive bitch.
Whispers started around us.
I looked at her coldly, catching the challenge in her eyes.
"Miss Jenkins." My voice stayed level. "First, we're not friends. Don't pretend we are. Second, whether Vance Group survives isn't my problem. That's called market forces, not charity. Third, if you really cared about him..."
I raised an eyebrow. "Sell off all those jewels and properties you've bled from him over the years. Fill the gap yourself instead of playing victim here."
Emma went white.
She hadn't expected me to go there. Not publicly.
"Serena! That's too FAR!" Julian stormed over, putting Emma behind him. "Emma apologized to you, and THIS is how you respond? You weren't like this before! When did you become so cruel?!"
"Cruel?" I smiled. "Julian, you haven't seen cruel yet."
Victor's gaze cut to Julian like he was looking at garbage.
He shifted slightly, putting himself between us.
"Want me to have them removed?" His voice was low.
"No need." I touched his hand lightly. "When a dog bites, people should see it for what it is."
Halfway through dinner, I slipped out to the second-floor terrace for air.
At the top of the stairs, Emma appeared from the shadows, blocking my path.
No cameras here.
No witnesses.
The fragile act dropped instantly. Pure twisted jealousy replaced it.
"Serena, you think you've won? Julian loves ME. Even married to Victor, you'll never be what I am to him!"
"Really?" I looked at her with amusement. "Then what are you so afraid of?"
Emma's jaw clenched.
Then—
She grabbed my hand, yanked it toward herself, and threw her body backward down the stairs.
"HELP! Serena, NO—!"
The scream was piercing. She tumbled down, hitting the landing hard. Blood from her forehead. White dress staining red.
The crash brought everyone running.
Julian got there first.
Seeing Emma in the blood, his face contorted.
"EMMA!" He dropped beside her, scooping her up.
Then turned on me, standing at the top of the stairs. "Serena! You PSYCHO! You pushed her! If anything happens to Emma, I'll destroy you! Everything you have—GONE!"
Guests started murmuring. Taking sides.
Condemning me.
I stood above it all, watching this performance coldly.
Before I could speak, Victor cut through the crowd. He didn't even glance at the two on the floor. Just walked straight up the stairs, draped his jacket over my shoulders, checked me for injuries.
"I'm fine." I said quietly.
Victor turned, looking down at Julian with murder in his eyes.
"Julian Vance. Who exactly are you threatening?"
Julian was past reason. He pointed at me, voice cracking. "She pushed Emma! Everyone SAW it! Serena—you think Victor protects you from consequences?"
He was breathing hard, eyes bloodshot.
"I have every pathetic text you ever sent me. Every desperate thing you did to make me love you. I'm releasing ALL of it tomorrow. You'll be New York's biggest joke! You'll BEG me for forgiveness!"
His voice echoed through the hall, convinced he'd already won.
Then—
Julian's body seized violently.
His eyes went wide, pupils contracting like he was seeing something horrific.
"No—"
A memory exploded in his mind.
Fire. Everywhere.
An abandoned warehouse at the docks.
Flames reaching for the sky.
Him clutching Emma—unharmed Emma—running for the exit.
Turning back for one second.
Seeing Serena trapped under a burning beam, legs pinned.
Her empty, desperate eyes in the firelight. The sound of her skin burning. Her last whispered words: "Julian... I hate you..."
Past life memories tore through Julian's brain like a blade.
His arms went slack.
Emma hit the floor with a cry.
Julian didn't notice.
He was shaking, face white as death, sweat soaking through his shirt.
Slowly, he looked up at Serena standing above him. Her eyes cold, looking at him like he was already dead.
That moment, Julian understood.
Why she'd replaced him at the altar.
Why her eyes held only hatred now.
"No... no..." Julian collapsed to his knees, making animal sounds of despair, tears and snot running down his face.
His shaking hand reached for Serena's dress.
"Serena... I was wrong... God, I was so wrong... the fire... the FIRE..."
He'd been reborn.
When it was already too late to matter.
