Part 1Ruin Her Face

I’ve been officially “dead” for five years.

And Julian, the guy I grew up with, the boy I loved, has supposedly been visiting my grave every single year.

Which is rich, considering he was the one who told me, five years ago, to get lost and never contact him again.

Then I came home. We ran into each other at a club.

Before I could even say hello, his bodyguards slammed me against the wall.

Julian stared at me, his eyes colder than I’d ever seen them.

“Who,” he whispered, “gave you permission to get her face?”

He looked at his men. “Ruin her.”

Seriously? Did everyone just forget how laws work while I was gone?

* * *

The second I cleared baggage claim, a black-clad missile hit me.

“Zoe! I thought you’d never come back!”

It was Maya, my best friend. After five years, I could barely breathe, and not just because she was squeezing my ribs.

“Maya,” I gasped. “Air.”

“Right. Sorry.” She pulled back, her eyes sparkling. “So, you’re back for good?”

I nodded. “Back for good.”

A wicked grin spread across her face. “Oh, I can’t wait to see Julian’s face. He’s going to think he’s seeing a ghost.”

Julian. My childhood sweetheart. The only person I’d ever loved.

Maya had kept me updated. He wasn't the same guy I’d left. He’d finally taken his seat at the head of his family’s empire.

And me? I’d spent five years in hiding, just trying to stay alive.

“You didn’t tell him I was coming, did you?” I asked.

“And spoil the fun?” Maya scoffed. “No way. Not after how he treated you.”

Back then…

My mind drifted. We were supposed to get married right after graduation. Then my father’s terminal diagnosis came, and with it, the vultures—the half-siblings I never even knew I had.

They planned to cut me out of the inheritance, permanently. A "man-made" car accident left me clinging to life.

That's when my mom shipped me out of the country with Elena, her most trusted advisor.

Right before I left, I called him. I told him I was leaving, but I was too scared to tell him about the crash.

He didn't take it well.

“Why are you going? I told you I’d help you fight them!”

“Or do you not think I can?”

I never doubted him. But we were kids. We didn't have the power. I couldn't let him get caught in the crossfire. I didn’t even know if I’d survive.

So I broke his heart. “My mind is made up.”

His voice cracked. “Zoe. I’m begging you. Don’t do this.”

I clutched the phone, my whole body aching. “I’m sorry, Julian.”

He was quiet for a second. Then, a cold laugh. “Fine. This is the first and last time I will ever beg anyone for anything. If you walk away, we’re strangers. Don't ever contact me again.”

He hung up.

The second the call ended, the world went black.