From Eve' perspective
I don't know what I'm doing. Why did I agree to this? Why am I at a party with Sebastian right now? I lied to the man I love, left him with our child, just to spend careless time with my ex.
I've been to parties before, sure, but never like this—never having to hide it. Selena was always with me, and Mike never minded. Now Selena's gone, and Mike thinks I'm just spending time with a schoolmate who recently moved back to Los Angeles after years abroad.
The guilt gnaws at me.
Mike is such a good man. He'd do anything for our family. And here I am, hanging out with the biggest mistake of my high school years. The worst part? Seeing Sebastian now—so handsome, so charismatic—it's hard to believe he was ever that innocent kid from school.
Curiosity got the better of me, I think, when I said yes to spending time with him. And maybe I felt sorry after hearing how his life started to unravel after his mom died.
Now we sit at the bar, drinking shots the bartender slid over. Since Lucas left us, I've had this strange unease twisting in my chest. Few people scare me, but there's something about Lucas that does—something terrifying.
Maybe it's what Sebastian told me about him.
Still, I feel sorry for Felix. Being related to Lucas—well, it's clear the madness runs in the family.
I raise my glass and glance at Sebastian. He looks down, weighed down by thoughts—probably still replaying what Lucas said to him.
"On the bright side," I ask, "why this club? When it belongs to your former boss?"
Sebastian shrugs. "I like this place. I hoped he wouldn't show. But unlucky me, as usual."
He tips his glass to his lips. "I don't know what's next for me. What I'm supposed to do now. Tonight, I just want to get wasted and forget. Life's a mess. Sixteen-year-old me never imagined this—dreams of college, a good job, a happy family, peace. Instead, this."
My heart aches. I put a hand on his shoulder, trying to offer what little comfort I can.
"You're still young. Your whole life is ahead of you. Who knows what might happen?"
A small, grateful smile tugs at Sebastian's lips. "It's nice to have someone believe in me."
"You're Sebastian—the guy who, as a teen, broke free from a crazy person like me. Nothing's impossible."
He laughs. "True. You were tougher than my old boss. If I survived you, nothing can break me now."
I smile, nudging him lightly. "So... dance floor?"
He hesitates. "I don't know if it's right. You have a man and a child. Dancing with me?"
"No drama," I say, trying to sound casual. "Having fun with an old classmate isn't so bad."
"And does Mike know?" he teases. "Because I'm afraid I might lose some teeth."
"That's why he doesn't know who I'm with," I reply with a nervous laugh. "For your own safety."
*
From Lucas' perspective
Sipping whiskey on the balcony, I watch Sebastian stumble through the dance floor, awkwardly keeping pace with his friend Selena. I have to admit, my favorite man has a knack for these games — seducing a busy woman with a child is almost too easy.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Hannah standing beside me.
"Do you really have to go this far, messing with Eve and Mike's lives?" she asks.
I take another long sip, not breaking my gaze from Sebastian and the blonde woman at his side.
"He doesn't have to try hard. Look at her — throwing herself at him without a second thought. You can tell how much she 'loves' her man by how freely she enjoys the company of another. Easy prey. I hate women like that. They ruin their kids' lives."
Hannah's words come sharp and fearless.
"Just because you've been hurt doesn't mean every woman's like your mother." She meets my eyes, unwavering. "And don't look at me like that. This cold, toxic, controlling bullshit? You inherited it from home. It's no coincidence Felix's got problems too."
A slow smile curls at my lips.
"You're right. We're brothers — both got the same poison from Mom. She was a born manipulator. Something seriously wrong with her."
"Brothers? I thought you were cousins." Her surprise is real.
"That's just what Felix thinks. I'm the son from Dad's first relationship — some Mafioso he was tied to. Felix thinks his uncle is his father. Even Dad doesn't know the truth. Funny, huh?" I take another sip, studying her as she processes the truth.
"You worry about him because he's your brother?"
"Wouldn't you?" I ask quietly. "Felix has been battling a serious illness for years. The psychiatric facility only numbed him with meds. I pulled him out — mental illness doesn't just disappear. He'll be on pills and under care for life. That idiot girl kidnapped him, not knowing what she was doing. If he misses his meds, he'll spiral."
"So why didn't you tell her the truth?"
A crooked smile plays at my mouth.
"Everything went sideways when she showed up in New York and Felix saw her again. His old feelings sparked back to life. I had to drag him away, telling him he was losing it. I knew she'd mess with his head, keep him trapped in the past. I wanted her gone — even considered hurting her, made her show up at those races. But fate had other plans. Felix ran into her at a party — I didn't even know. Then he went back to Los Angeles without me. I had to follow."
Hannah presses again. "Still don't get why you didn't tell her."
"I tried. But she just blamed me and Mom for Felix's state. She's selfish. Thinks I'm the villain hurting him. If she makes him end up back in the loony bin, I swear…"
She cuts me off. "Better not finish that sentence. I get it."
She exhales slowly, eyes hardening. "Honestly, Selena taking Felix was reckless. Stupid. Everyone should know the truth."
"Too late," I say darkly. "They'll all pay their price. Nobody messes with me or my family."
I sip the whiskey again, the cold night air burning on my throat. The game's far from over.
*
From Selena's Perspective
I'm hungry and exhausted, every muscle aching, dreaming only of my bed. After that long, restless walk, we finally reached the bus stop. Now, we're on our way to my apartment.
Felix sits beside me, silent, staring blankly out the window. My worry twists tighter with every passing mile. What if I was reckless? What if I'm making things worse for him? Ever since we ran away, something's been wrong — I can see it in his eyes, in the way his face has lost its light.
"Are you all right?" I ask softly, but he doesn't even glance my way. His gaze drifts past the city lights, distant, absent. "Felix?"
Tears burn behind my eyelids. I'm terrified. I risked everything for him, and now it feels like the biggest mistake of my life. I lost my job, yes, but worse — Felix is slipping further away.
I wanted to help him. I wanted to give him hope. Instead, I'm the one who's broken him.
Doubt claws at me. Who called us in the dead of night, knowing our number, our location? That warning on the phone — that he's still sick, and he'll never be well again — it haunts me.
I look at his pale, worn face. He's a shadow of the man I care about.
"I'm such an idiot… What have I done, Felix?" I whisper, burying my face in my hands. What do I do now?
Maybe Lucas wasn't the villain. Maybe he knew how to take care of Felix better than I ever could, after all these years. Maybe Felix was stronger with him — and now, with me, he's breaking.
Should I call Lucas? Should I accept whatever punishment he has for me if it means Felix gets help?
Fear twists my stomach. Lucas terrifies me. I don't know what he'll do, but I'm terrified of his wrath — for what I've done to Felix.
My heart races as I notice a girl sitting nearby, alone. Felix doesn't react when I rise and approach her.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but could I borrow your phone for a moment? I need to make a call."
"Sure," she says, handing me her cell with no hesitation.
I return to Felix's side and gently poke his shoulder. He turns his dull, half-conscious eyes toward me.
"Hm?"
"Do you remember Lucas's number?" I ask quietly.
Without expression, he takes the phone and punches in the digits. "I realize you need him. These few days with me… they've done you no good. You need help."
"I don't need anything anymore," he mutters, voice hollow. "I'm good for nothing."
My heart pounds wildly as I bring the phone to my ear. Every ring twists nausea inside me.
"Who's speaking?" His harsh voice cuts through the silence, sending chills down my spine.
"It's me, Selena," I say, surprised he doesn't lash out or curse me.
"I want Felix to come back to you. You were right — I'm his poison. Something's wrong, and I need your help. You can punish me however you want — I deserve it. We'll be at my apartment soon. Please come."
The moment he hangs up without a word, a frozen dread grips me. It's worse than any threat.
I don't know what to expect when Felix walks back into that house.
All I know is — he needs help. And I need him safe.