Chapter 1 Aseal

• Asael’s POV
• I stop, inhaling the sharp tang of air that carries vague memories of what life should smell like, no prison musk, no stale loneliness.
• My ribs expand higher than they have in years, stretching against the weight I’ve carried.
• I am free.
• I stand still at the gates, savoring the noise and gentle chaos.
• Freedom, the rarest perfume I know, wraps itself around me, and for the first time in five years, I believe joy is possible again.
• I smooth down my blouse, making a silent vow never to look back at those gates.
• Then I see him.
• Allen, my childhood friend, and current boyfriend.
• He leans against his Bentley, arms crossed, a bouquet of white lilies clasped loosely in one hand. His smile widens when he spots me.
• “My love,” he says, his voice warmly seeping into every scar of my heart. “I’ve missed seeing your beautiful smile.”
• His arm spreads wide open and I run into them dissolving against the scent of his cologne, smoky wood, familiar, intoxicating.
• My tears slip silently, and his embrace tightens like he never intends to let go.
• “You smell so good,” I murmur, clinging to him.
• His laugh rumbles in his chest. “You need a real bath.”
• “It’s good to have you back, Asael.”
• The way he says my name, it’s like he’s waited years just to savor the sound.
• He opens the car door for me with a flourish, and I slide inside, my chest still swelling with disbelief that he kept his promise to wait for me.
• He circles quickly, his hand sliding into mine as he starts the engine.
• I let my fingers trace the warmth of his knuckles, grounding myself in him.
• We stop in front of an unfamiliar building. I know five years is long enough for everything to feel strange.
• “Where are we?” I ask.
• “You’ll see.” His grin is secretive, his palm holding steadfastly to mine.
• The doors swing open, and before I can register the place, I see her, Sloane. My best friend, radiant in a sunflower-cream dress, hair spilling over her shoulders. She squeals, rushing toward me, arms wrapping me in the kind of hug I thought I’d lost forever.
• “As much as I anticipated this moment, I can’t believe my eyes! Asael, you’re back!” Her voice quivers with tears, and I clutch her, steadying us both.
• “There’s nothing better than being back.”
• She grips my hand, tugging me forward as voices ripple through the hall.
• “Welcome, Asael.”
• “Welcome, Asael.”
• The greetings layer over each other, strangers smiling as though I’m royalty returned from exile.
• My steps falter.
• “What is this place?” I whisper.
• Sloane squeezes my fingers. “Allen’s project. This is the grand opening of his museum. He poured his entire soul into it.”
• A museum? Allen? I blink at the glittering interior, polished floors gleaming, walls alive with canvases and sculptures. I never knew he had an eye for art.
• Before I can question further, my gaze snags and freezes.
• Rhea, the adopted heir of the Brooker’s family. The one girl crazy enough to stand in as a witness, claiming I killed my grandfather.
• My chest constricts.
• She stands in the crowd, flanked by Beatrice and Sophie, her best friends, smirking.
• My stomach churns as I glare at her openly, not caring who sees.
• “Why is she here?” My whisper cuts sharp.
• Sloane presses against me, “Allen’s present business partner. The museum belongs to the Brooker’s as well.”
• Rage sizzles beneath my skin. Five years of stolen life all because of her.
• “Come on,” Sloane urges, dragging me forward until Rhea disappears from view. Still, my fists clench at my sides.
• We slip into a side hall, and suddenly, the room bursts into cheers. Balloons float against the ceiling, champagne glasses clink, music swells. It feels like stepping into another world.
• This celebration is for me.
• Allen stands above the crowd on a raised platform, eyes locked on me, the spotlight catching the sharp cut of his jaw. I climb the steps slowly, heart pounding.
• The noise dims in my head. I can hear only my breath, his steady gaze.
• Then he kneels.
• The world tilts.
• The ring box in his hand gleams like lightning.
• Gasps ripples in the room, as phone rises. Allen’s voice shakes only slightly, though his words are steady.
• “I’ve waited for this moment longer than I can admit. You are the only woman who completes me in your imperfect perfection. Asael, will you marry me?”
• Heat rises to my cheeks and I become unsure if I wanted this. A hundred eyes press on me, the weight of their anticipation almost unbearable.
• I turn my head, instinctively scanning the crowd.
• And there she is.
• Rhea, still positioned between Sophie and Beatrice. This time around, with her parents, standing close to them.
• Her lips twist into a cruel smile, and laughter spills in careful scorn from Sophie and Beatrice
• Her parents didn't seem concerned as I watch them walk out. A sheer disgust look on her mom's face.
• Rhea takes noiseless but long strides towards me, while Sophie and Beatrice follow closely behind her.
• “Isn't it nice, someone gets out of hell today and hopes to enter heaven?” She says with a scornful smile. “A heaven she can never see.”
• Beatrice and Sophie both arch their brows at me. They sway their sexy slender body, following every move of Rhea.
• Allen waits, still on his knees, eyes only for me.
• I glance once more at Rhea, her smirk sharpening like a blade. And then I make my choice.
• I lift my chin, steady my voice, and smile.
• “Yes, my love. I will marry you,” I say, turning my attention to Allen.
• “It will be more exciting to get married on the same day Rhea gets married too.”
• The room stuns in silence.
• My eyes meet with Kieran, my cousin, now Rhea’s fiance, who glares ghastly in my direction.
• Allen’s eyes widens, he did not expect to hear that.
• I slip my finger into the ring and turn to give Rhea a wide smile.
• Her smile falters. Disgust fills her face.