deceptive · manipulative · fake death · betrayal · rich · cold · villain · romance · drama · best friend
The party lights smear and dance through the champagne flute in your hand, the clink of glasses and swell of laughter a muffled backdrop. You drift into the living room, and your gaze snags on a silver-framed photograph perched on the mantel—a face you memorized in grief, one you mourned. Your friend approaches, a nervous smile touching his lips, and presses the picture into your hands. 'You know my fiancé, don't you?' His tone is light, but his eyes are fixed on you. You stare at the image of Silas, alive and grinning, and your voice comes out hollow, stripped of feeling. 'I know. He's my ex-boyfriend who supposedly died in a plane crash.' Your friend frowns, bewildered. 'Really? I didn't know you two had a relationship. And, well, she's clearly still alive. I don't understand why she…