Avery Clarke stood at the podium, the soft glow of the bookstore lights casting her in a warm halo as she smiled at the hundreds of eyes trained on her. Tonight was her night. Her book, The prince and his Rose, had finally made it into the world, a debut novel that had already topped the bestseller charts. Avery's heart still raced with disbelief as she held a microphone in her hands, looking out at the fans who had come to see her.

The fantasy novel was everything she had dreamed of. It was a sweeping romance between Prince Adrian and Lady Evelisse, a love tested by betrayal, danger, and the sinister machinations of the villainess, Lady Celeste. Readers had fallen in love with the devoted prince and his kind, resilient betrothed, finding themselves wrapped up in the struggle to overcome the evil Celeste had unleashed on their lives.

As Avery gave a brief speech to her fans, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pride. She had poured her heart and soul into this book, and seeing it resonate with so many people felt like a dream come true. After finishing her remarks, she began signing copies of the book, exchanging smiles and a few words with each reader. Her hand ached from signing, but the warmth of their enthusiasm fueled her.

Among the crowd, her best friend Kenny stood at the back, a smile on his face. He waved to her, and she waved back, grateful for his support. Kenny had been her friend since college. He was a fellow writer, though he hadn't found the same success Avery had. His books were more niche, and while he was a talented writer, his audience had always remained small. Still, he had always encouraged Avery, helping her brainstorm ideas, giving feedback on drafts, and celebrating every milestone with her.

Avery finished signing the last book and thanked the remaining fans as they trickled out of the store. She gathered her things, excited to go home and unwind after the event.

"Kenny, thanks for coming!" she said as she approached him.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Kenny replied with a grin. "You were amazing up there."

Avery beamed. "It still feels unreal. I mean, can you believe it? My book! People actually care about my book."

Kenny chuckled, though there was something in his eyes—something dark, something she hadn't noticed before. "You deserve it, Avery. You've worked hard."

They talked for a few more minutes, but Avery was exhausted. She promised to catch up with him later in the week, and they said their goodbyes.

A few hours later, Avery walked down a dimly lit street toward her apartment. The excitement of the night had worn off, and all she wanted now was to collapse into bed. Her thoughts were still buzzing with everything that had happened, replaying moments from the event, imagining the future possibilities her success might bring.

But something wasn't right. The street was too quiet, and Avery couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart quickening as she caught a glimpse of movement in the shadows.

Before she could react, a group of men stepped out from the alleyway, blocking her path. Avery's pulse spiked with fear as she backed away, her breath coming in short gasps.

"W-what do you want?" she stammered, clutching her purse tightly.

The men closed in on her without a word, their expressions cold and menacing. Panic surged through her as she turned to run, but one of them grabbed her by the arm, yanking her back. She screamed, but the sound was quickly muffled as a hand clamped over her mouth.

"Shut her up," one of them growled.

They dragged her into the alley, where they began to beat her. Avery fought back, kicking and struggling, but they were too strong. Each blow sent waves of pain crashing through her body, her vision blurring as she was thrown to the ground. Her head hit the pavement with a sickening crack, and the world around her swirled in a haze of agony.

Through the blur, she saw a figure approaching, and for a fleeting moment, she thought someone had come to help. But as the figure drew closer, her heart sank.

It was Kenny.

"K-Kenny…?" she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.

He looked down at her, his face twisted in a mix of fury and something darker. "You just couldn't help yourself, could you, Avery? You had to succeed, had to take the spotlight."

Avery's mind reeled. "What are you talking about?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about!" Kenny shouted, his voice trembling with rage. "I've been struggling for years, and then you waltz in and become a bestseller overnight. You. When my books can't even get noticed." He pulled a gun from his coat, pointing it directly at her. "I'm done living in your shadow."

Avery's eyes widened with horror. "Please… Kenny, don't do this. I—"

"Shut up!" Kenny hissed. "You should have known better. I can't let you walk away with everything, not when I have nothing."

Tears streamed down Avery's face as she pleaded with him, her body trembling from the pain. "Please… I'm begging you. I never meant to—"

But her words fell on deaf ears. Kenny's face was emotionless as he pulled the trigger. The deafening sound of the gunshot echoed through the alley, and Avery's world went black. Was this death? Was this the end? 

No, it can't be. I want to start over— no, I have to start over! I want to escape the cruelty of this world, this unending betrayal. I want to be in a better world.

***

Then, a light—a flicker, soft and warm—pulled her from the void. Slowly, she became aware of a gentle breeze brushing against her skin, the soft rustle of fabric around her. She felt… alive?

Her eyes fluttered open, and the world came into focus. She was lying in a bed, the sheets impossibly soft and luxurious beneath her. Above her, a canopy of deep violet velvet draped elegantly, embroidered with silver. The room around her was grand and opulent, far beyond anything she had ever known.

Avery sat up slowly, her head spinning with confusion. Where was she? This wasn't her apartment, obviously. As she pushed the covers aside, the door to the room creaked open, and a woman entered, dressed in a maid's uniform, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Good morning, Lady Celeste," the maid said, bowing slightly. "The crown prince has arrived, and your family is waiting for you in the drawing room."

Avery blinked, her mind racing to catch up with the maid's words. Lady Celeste? Crown prince? Drawing room? Nothing made sense. Her heart began to race as the realization struck her, like lightning shattering the dark.

This wasn't a dream. This was her book—her book! The world she had created. And somehow, she was now in the body of the villainess, Lady Celeste Valeria Duvernay.

The maid glanced up, noticing Avery's shock. "Is something the matter, my lady?"

Avery's mind raced. She knew every inch of this world, every detail of Lady Celeste's life. But how—how could she possibly be here? This wasn't just a story anymore. It was her new reality.

"I—" Avery stopped herself, forcing a calm expression onto her face. "I'm fine. Tell the prince and my family that I'll be down shortly."

The maid nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Avery stood and walked toward the full-length mirror on the opposite wall. When she looked at her reflection, her breath caught in her throat. The face staring back at her wasn't her own. Instead, it was the sharp, striking face of Lady Celeste, with her fiery red hair and piercing golden eyes.

She touched her reflection, a wave of disbelief washing over her.

She was no longer Avery Clarke, the bestselling author. She was now Lady Celeste, the villainess of her own story.