Evelia ᯓᡣ𐭩
The night before the party, the restlessness wouldn't leave me. I couldn't sleep, couldn't think straight. There was something I needed to settle, something that had been on my mind since I found out the truth about Rhea. I had to tell her, even if not the full story. Not yet.
I called Rhea, told her to meet me at one of my private hotels. I knew she'd come. She was probably still confused about my sudden change toward her. When she arrived, I could see the uncertainty in her eyes, the hesitation in her steps. But I needed her to understand, so I started without giving her a chance to speak.
"Rhea, you need to be calm and listen to me," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. But there was no other way.
She nodded, looking at me with wide, confused eyes. "What's going on?"
I paused, mentioning her to sit first. Choosing my words carefully, I said. "I've been keeping something from you. Something... important."
I could feel the tension in the air as she stared at me, waiting. I took a deep breath. "You and I... we're sisters. Twins."
Her eyes widened, mouth opening slightly, but no words came out. The disbelief was clear, and I couldn't blame her. It was a lot to take in.
"I know this is a shock," I continued, my tone gentler now. "There's more, but... I'll explain everything tomorrow night at the party. I need you to trust me."
Her breathing quickened, the reality sinking in. "Twins?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "But... how?"
"Tomorrow night," I repeated firmly. "I'll tell you everything."
I watched as tears welled up in her eyes, her body trembling with the weight of the revelation.
"And... there's someone else you need to meet," I added, trying to steady my own nerves. "Our mother. You'll meet her at the party."
That seemed to tip her over the edge. Her tears began to fall, quiet sobs shaking her body. I stood there, frozen for a moment. I hadn't hugged anyone other than my mother in years, but this-this was different. She was my sister.
Without thinking, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her. She stiffened at first, clearly taken aback, but then she melted into the embrace, sobbing into my shoulder.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," I murmured, my voice low, barely above a whisper. "But we'll figure this out together. I promise."
For a moment, I felt a strange sense of peace, as if something that had been missing in my life had suddenly clicked into place. Holding her like this... it felt right. Like I was finally doing something I should've done years ago.
Rhea pulled back slightly, her face red and eyes puffy, but she nodded. "Okay... tomorrow."
I gave her a small nod, the faintest trace of a smile playing at my lips. "Tomorrow."
The whole day we spent together, discussing about mom. She tried to bring up Hades but I somehow changed the topic .
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦
The day of the party arrived faster than I expected. The tension in the air was suffocating as I got ready, my mind racing with everything that could go wrong. Rhea was still in shock from last night's revelation. I could hardly blame her, finding out you have a twin sister and her own family after years of believing that she didn't have any blood relatives was... overwhelming.
I put on my gown, a sleek black dress that hugged my figure perfectly, exuding the cold confidence I was known for. My mother had chosen it, something about "making a statement." Hades had already told me this party would be full of important people, a chance for me to be "officially" reintroduced to the public after so many years abroad. But all I could think about was Rhea and what would happen when she'd meet mom.
As I adjusted my earrings, I thought about last night again, about how Rhea cried in my arms, how fragile she seemed in that moment. But now, everything was about to change for her. For us.
I couldn't help but feel restless as the time for the party neared. I needed to make sure everything was under control. I needed to see her again.
Just then my phone beeped and the screen lit up. I stared at the screen for a moment before slipping the phone into my hand.
Rhea had texted me, a simple message "I'm at the party."
The pressure of walking into a world she wasn't prepared for. This party was too important, too delicate, for anything to go wrong.
I dialed Lucas's number, he answered on the first ring.
"Make sure you keep an eye on her," I ordered, my voice cold and to the point. "No one gets close to her without my knowing."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll handle it," Lukas responded swiftly.
I hung up, feeling the weight of the night settle in. I trusted Rhea to keep her composure, but trust didn't come easily for me. And this wasn't just about her. There were too many moving pieces tonight. Too many people watching. Hades, my stepfather, loved putting on a show, and tonight would be no different. But I refused to let anything derail my plans.
I stood up, smoothing the fabric of my dress and walking to the balcony to take in the night air for a moment. Standing by the balcony, I let the cool breeze sweep through my hair, my eyes absently wandered to the pool below. It was packed with people enjoying the night, their voices blending into the distant hum of the city. The glow of the pool lights gave everything a surreal, almost dream like atmosphere.
But then, a sudden splash shattered the stillness.
Something, or someone, fell from the above, straight into the pool. Plunging into the pool with a sickening force. The noise cut through the evening chatter, and the world seemed to freeze for a moment.
I gripped the balcony railing, my heart skipping a beat. The only thought that flashed in my mind was: *Rhea.*
Without thinking, I spun around and bolted from my room, ignoring the fact that I was wearing heels. The clacking of my heels on the marble echoed through the hallway as I rushed to the elevator, my mind racing faster than my feet. I punched the ground floor button, cursing the slowness of the descent.
When I reached the pool area, I rushed outside. A crowd had already gathered, their shocked whispers filling the air. I pushed my way through, barely noticing the gasps and murmurs as people recognized me. My eyes were locked on the pool, a horrifying sight.
The water had turned bright red.
Blood.
Before I could even fully process the scene, a guy-someone quickly jumped into the pool. My breath caught as I watched him swim toward the figure floating lifelessly in the water. In a matter of seconds, he resurfaced, dragging a girl into his arms.
Blonde hair.
My blood ran cold.
Rhea.
I shoved through the last of the crowd, heart pounding as I watched the guy pull her to the edge of the pool. I could barely breathe as I saw her pale face, her soaked dress clinging to her motionless form.
"Move!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the stunned silence. People stepped aside as I reached the edge, my gaze never leaving Rhea.
Who did this? What happened?
As I knelt down beside Rhea, I finally realized who had pulled her out of the pool.
Cassian.
His usually composed face was twisted in worry and panic. He looked restless, his eyes locked on Rhea as if the world had stopped spinning. I ignored him. Nothing else mattered right now.
I pulled Rhea into my arms, my breath catching in my throat as I noticed her pale, motionless body. She wasn't breathing. Her chest was still, too still. Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I quickly checked her pulse. Nothing.
"No, no, no..." I muttered under my breath, my hands trembling as I scanned her body for injuries. And then I saw it-her stomach, soaked in blood, the source of the red that had stained the pool. A gunshot wound.
"How..." I couldn't finish the question. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would explode. Cassian's voice cracked, his panic bubbling over. "She-she just fell... I didn't see who-" I cut him off, my cold, commanding voice slicing through the chaos. "Shut up."
There was no time for explanations. I had to focus. I had to save her. I cradled her head gently in my lap, trying to force my mind to think clearly, even though my hands were covered in her blood. I pressed down on her wound to slow the bleeding, my hands shaking slightly as I leaned over her, I wasn't losing her. Not now. Not after everything.
I tried to lift her, pulling her closer, hoping that this nightmare would end. But before I could fully move, Cassian's voice cut through the chaos like a dagger.
"She's dead."
His words shattered everything.
For a moment, my mind went blank, the world around me fading into nothing. The noise of the crowd, the murmurs, the whispers-everything was muted. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. It was as if time had frozen, leaving me stuck in the most unbearable moment of my life.
No. No, she couldn't be. Not Rhea.
I looked down at her face. So pale, so lifeless. The blood that stained her clothes seemed to grow darker, more vivid. My hands, still pressed against her wound, were trembling now, shaking uncontrollably as I struggled to comprehend what Cassian had just said.
"Dead?" The word slipped from my lips in disbelief, barely a whisper. How could she be gone?
My heart pounded in my chest, but it felt like it was breaking, cracking with each second that passed. The coldness that I always carried, the shield I used to keep the world out, was no match for this moment.
"Rhea..." I whispered again, but there was no response. There would never be a response.
I couldn't feel anything but the crushing weight of grief, the realization that I had found her-my twin, my sister-only to lose her just as quickly. My world stopped. Everything stopped.
Rhea was gone. And I had failed her. I failed dad.
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦
Eryx ᯓᡣ𐭩
I stood there with Cassian by my side, scanning the crowded room, when I spotted him-Hades Allis. The man responsible for everything that had gone wrong in my life. That pathetic old man, grinning like he'd conquered the world, basking in the success that was never his to begin with.
He sauntered over, his smugness almost unbearable. "Eryx DeVille," he greeted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't expect to actually see you here. Surprising, considering... your circumstances."
My jaw tightened, but I didn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction. "Hades," I acknowledged, coldly, barely looking at him. Cassian stood beside me, his expression neutral, but I could feel the tension rolling off him.
Hades continued, clearly enjoying himself. "How's it feel to watch from the sidelines? Must be hard" His smile widened, almost daring me to retaliate.
I clenched my fists, but forced myself to stay composed. "I'm not here for your small talk, Hades. Enjoy your moment while it lasts. We both know it won't."
He raised an eyebrow, pretending to be amused. "Oh? Is that a threat, DeVille? I've already won."
Cassian shifted beside me, clearly irritated, but I placed a hand on his arm, signaling him to stay calm."
Hades chuckled, a dark, mocking laugh. He gave me one last look, as if savoring his imagined victory, before turning away.
But after a few minutes, I noticed something strange. He was gone. Just like that.
I scanned the crowd, searching for any sign of him, but he'd disappeared. Cassian frowned. "Where the hell did he go?"
"I don't know," I muttered, still looking. Something wasn't right. That snake never left a room without making sure everyone knew he was in control. But now, he was nowhere to be found.
And that, for some reason, made me uneasy.
Then suddenly my mind started to drift elsewhere, towards Evelia. I hadn't seen her all night, which was strange. Normally, someone like her would be impossible to miss at an event like this. Despite everything, there was something about her that kept pulling at the back of my mind.
Tonight, after everything, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Where was she? And why did I care?
Cassian was rambling about something, but I wasn't listening anymore. My thoughts were too distracted by the image of her. Her cold eyes, the way she carried herself, like she had built walls so high no one could reach her. But then there was that smile she gave Rhea. A smile I hadn't seen in years. And it bothered me-how much it affected me.
"Dude, are you even listening?" Cassian nudged me.
I blinked, coming back to the moment. "What?"
"You keep zoning out. What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I shook my head. "Nothing. Just thinking."
"Thinking about Hades or... something else?" Cassian asked, narrowing his eyes knowingly.
I scoffed. "None of your business."
Cassian grinned. "It's Evelia, isn't it?"
I shot him a look. "I told you, none of your business."
Cassian chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Well, it should be. She's Hades' daughter, after all. And the way you look when her name comes up..."
Before Cassian could finish his sentence, the sharp sound of a splash from the pool pierced the night, followed by a series of gasps from the crowd nearby.
My attention snapped toward the water, and there -floating lifelessly-was a body. Before I could even process what was happening, Cassian bolted toward the pool dove in without hesitation. He cut through the water like a man possessed. My heart pounded, but I stayed frozen, eyes locked on the scene unfolding in front of me.
"Move!" a voice, shaky and filled with panic, cut through the crowd. Evelia.
I turned, and for the first time, I saw something I never thought I'd witness Evelia, frantic, her cold mask shattered. Her eyes were wide with fear, and she shoved past people, her breaths quick and shallow as she hurried toward the edge of the pool.
Cassian emerged from the water, gasping for air, dragging the limp figure out. Evelia dropped to her knees without a second thought and pulled the body into her arms. Rhea. Evelia's hands trembled as she held Rhea close, her face pale and eyes wide with Panic washing over her.
I heard the exchange of words between Cassian and Evelia. Rhea was gone.
Her panic was raw, real, and it shook me to my core. All because of a random girl?
The sight of Evelia, broken, desperately clutching Rhea, tore at something deep inside me.
I hated her, didn't I?
Then why did it hurt so much to see her like this? I clenched my fists, barely able to process it all. Something inside me shifted. anger, sorrow, guilt...
I didn't even know anymore. All I knew was that everything had changed in an instant. And I wasn't sure any of us would be the same after this.
Cassian looked at me, silently begging for help, but I could barely meet his gaze. My attention was locked on Evelia, watching as the walls she had built up so carefully over the years started to crack.