ONE NIGHT, FOREVER BOUND

The night was laced with power, champagne, and whispered secrets.

Seraphina Vale didn't belong in the grand ballroom of The Velvet Rose Hotel, where Velmoria's elite drinks vintage wine and whisper about wealth and ruin.Yet here she was, masked with glitters to concealed her identity, and wearing a borrowed gown.

The silver dress sleek and laced with a delicate details clung to her like a second skin-a stark contrast to her real life,slip with delicate lace. It belonged to her best friend Celeste Moreau,who had assured her that sneaking into this high-society masquerade was harmless.

"A touch of danger makes life more thrilling," Celeste said smirking, slipping the mask into Seraphina's hands.

Seraphina wasn't convinced, but desperation can cloud even the sharpest judgement. The relentless weight of debts, rejection letters, and overdue rent pressed down on her suffocating every breath. If she could meet just one influential person tonight-someone who could give her struggling design career a chance-maybe her life wouldn't feel like it was falling apart.

Seraphina stepped further into the golden-lit ballroom, the music humming beneath her heels. Around her guests in designer gowns and tailored suits moved with effortless grace,their laughter smooth and practiced.

"I don't belong here."

The thought had barely settled when she felt it-a gaze, sharp and unwavering.

She caught her breath immediately she turned.

Across the room, near the marble bar,stood a man who commanded attention without trying even in a room filled with people of high caliber.Talll,strikingly handsome, and dress in a sleek black mask, his chiseled features were barely hidden. His dark eyes held hers, intense and unreadable.

He radiant a quite undeniable danger.

Yett, she finds it hard to look away. And she dint know the reason.Maybe because the man was way too handsome and portray this u deniably charm around him.

Lysander Duvall had noticed her the moment she walked in.

He didn't believe in attractions, but the woman in silver throw him off balance.She moved with grace, yet there was hesitation in her steps-something told him she is not like the other women. She din't belong to this world, and yet she stood there, holding his gaze in a way he hadn't expected.

Tonight was supposed to be simple -finalized a billion-dollar deal,make polite conversation, and leave. But suddenly, none of that matters anymore.

Without hesitation, he set down his glass and walks towards her.

Seraphina should have looked away. Should have vanished into the crowd before reality reminded her pretending to belong in a billionaire's world was a mistake.

But when he stopped in front of her, close enough for her perceive the warm,woody scent of cologne,all logic slipped away.

"Who are you?" his voice was deep,rich,smooth and undeniably commanding.

Seraphina stuttered nervously. "Just someone insignificant."

A slow,smirk crossed his lips. "I don't believe that."

His voice wrapped around her,steady and knowing.He reached out, blushing the edge of her mask, as if waiting for her to pull away.

But she didn't.

Rather, she whispered, "And what of you?"Who re you?

His smirk deepened"Someone who never plays fair."

Then, as if fate had decided for her, a slow music began to play. Couples swayed around them, but the only thing Seraphina noticed was Lysander Duvall offering his hand to her.

Withstanding all reason, she took it.

---

The dance was a battle of control and tension.

Seraphina's heart pounded as his hands rested on her waist, pulling her just close enough to test the limits of propriety. The scent of high quality cologne and something dangerously addictive surrounded her, mesmerizing in a way that made her impulsive.

"You don't belong to this world," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

She tightened her grip on his shoulder. "And you do?"

Lysander chuckled softly, the kind that speaks volume of trouble. "I own it."

She should have been annoyed by the way he said it , but instead, his confidence sent a shiver down her spine. Arrogant.Unapolegetic.Yet the way he looked at her, as if he saw past the mask she wore,past the facades-unsettles her more than anything.

The dance ended, but none of them stepped away.

Lysander leaned in, his lips just a breath away from her ear. "Spend the night with me."

The words sent a shiver down her spine.It weaken her knees.

She should have refused.Should have laughed and walked out before making a mistake that would be difficult to undo.

But the gravity of her reality weigh her down-the empty fridge, the eviction notice, the weight of struggling Everything is so tiring to her,maybe this could sort her needs,just this once she promised herself.Just this once and everything will be alright

She wanted to forget for once and be daring.

She boldly met his gaze.

"Yes," she answered quietly

---

The hotel suite was softly illuminated, with the city skyline casting faint silhouettes across the walls.

Seraphina lingered by the window, heart racing as she gazed over Eldoria's glittering Different thought running through her mind.

Behind her, Lysander loosened his collar ,his actions slow and intentional. There was no changing of mind His blood was running hot.

"No going back," he murmured, his voice lower, rougher. "Last chance to leave ."

She turned, fingers unsteady as they grazed the delicate straps of her dress.

"I'm not leaving ," she breathed.But deep down,seraphina was scared.

For a moment,he simply studied her as if engraving every details into his memory. Then, in one stride, he erased the space between Start by caressing her neck down to her butt,which intensifies into a kiss, something Abt the woman before him makes it difficult for him to draw back.

The night unraveled into warmth and murmured names,lips and fingertips mapping out silent confession.A very hot passionate night together.

And for a few fleeting hours, Seraphina let herself believe this moment existed in a world without repercussions.

That she wouldn't wake up permanently tied to the man who was about to altered everything about her in an unexpected way.

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