I Was Your Salvation,' Now I'm Your Curse

swirled behind her, but she ignored it, gripping the polished railing as if it were the only solid thing in a world that felt increasingly surreal.

r had spared no expense for the event, claiming it was all "for Eve," but the truth rang hollow. It wasn't a birthday celebration; it was another opportunity for Ali

ne leaving no room for argument. "It's your b

tolerated. The champagne flowed freely, the lights sparkled, and the music thumped in a steady rhythm, b

louder, and then a voice cut t

ere a stark departure from the formal green gown she'd worn earlier, but that was typical Lucia-she never played by th

expression neutral. "It's Alina's party," s

Touché. But still, you could at least pret

reflections of the yacht's golden lights. "I don't care about birth

l, Alina cares. She's been putting on quite the show tonight. Have you seen her

mering gold dress. And next to her was David-the boy who had once been the center of Eve's universe. His easy smile and familiar lau

-of-factly, breaking the silence. "Alina doesn't

I know," she said, her voice cold. "Th

you to ignore it-because we both know that's impossible. But don't give

's. For a brief moment, David's gaze flickered away from Alina-to Eve. Their eyes met, and the air between them see

there it is-the pièce de résistanc

ck the sting of tears. "I need some a

called after her, smirking. "The

hard to suppress threatened to spill over. She stared out at the water, the gentle sway of the yacht doing little

Eve glanced up to see Alina standing at the

t, bright and commanding. "If I c

eir eyes turning toward he

t," Alina began, her smile dazzling. "It means so much to me-and

undred eyes suddenly on he

ost saccharine quality. "Eve, darling, you may not say it often,

an through the crowd,

ued, lifting her flute high. "Happy birthday, Evelyn Bell

ir glasses in unison. But as the noise d

ne dripping with false sweetness. "How did you manage

dercloud, and the crowd's attention shif

g. She knew this was Alina's doing-ano