1:What The…

Reva's POV

"Ahhh!"

I tumbled off the bed. My eyes locked on him. No. Not my room. Where was I?

I grabbed the edge of the bed and stood up. My legs shook.

It was him. Nico Castellano. My sister's fiancé.

No, no, no. I blinked hard. This could not be real. Why him? Why me? My life was over.

My legs almost gave out. I held the bedpost. Cold sweat covered me. My stomach turned. I could not scream. He might wake up.

I touched my body. I wore his shirt. My dress lay folded on the chair. Who folds a dress after that?

I felt sick. I pressed my fist to my mouth and breathed. In. Out. In. Out.

How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was the gala. Petra said, "Just one drink, Rev. Relax for once." She gave me the glass. One sip. Then nothing.

I never black out. Never.

Someone did this to me.

Move, Reva. Now.

I grabbed my dress and shoes. I changed fast. My fingers shook. The zip stuck. I almost cried.

Five seconds. Breathe. You have survived hard things before.

Bag. There. Phone, keys, wallet. All there.

I looked at him one last time. He slept like nothing happened.

I opened the door without a sound and slipped out.

The hall was empty. I walked fast, heels in my hand. My hands shook so bad I hit the elevator button three times.

In the lobby everyone stared. The desk man looked away. Two women stopped talking. A man pointed.

I did not understand.

Outside, cool air hit me. Then I saw the big screen across the street.

SCANDAL AT PALAZZO NOTTE: ALDRIDGE SISTER SPOTTED LEAVING CASTELLANO SUITE AT DAWN

The photo was me. My dress. My face.

The screen changed.

PETRA ALDRIDGE ENGAGEMENT IN JEOPARDY? YOUNGER SISTER REVA SPENDS NIGHT WITH NICO CASTELLANO

My phone buzzed like crazy. Seventeen missed calls. Twelve messages. Top one from Petra.

We need to talk.

My heart jumped. I typed fast.

I am on my way.

The taxi smelled of old cigarettes. I called Petra twice. Voicemail both times.

She must be mad.

At her building the doorman opened the door fast but looked away. Strange. He always greeted me.

Her door was unlocked. Our old code. She waited for me.

I walked in.

Petra sat on the white sofa in her silk robe. Coffee in her hand. TV on mute. My photo on the screen. Her makeup perfect. Tears filled her eyes right on time.

“How could you?” she said. “My own sister, Reva? After everything I have done for you?”

“Petra...”

“You have ruined me,” she went on. “The whole city is talking. My engagement is almost gone because you could not keep your legs closed for one night.”

That hurt. “I do not understand,” I said. “I do not remember anything after the gala. I had only one drink. Then I woke up in that suite. Think of how scared I would have been.”

Petra laughed and wiped her eye. “Do not play innocent on me. Everyone saw you drinking. You were laughing and flirting. Maybe you have always wanted to take something that was mine.”

“Petra... you know I would never.”

“Well... one would think they know someone until they show their real face.”

“I blacked out, Petra. You know I do not black out,” I said. My voice got tight. “I have never blacked out. Something happened to me. You should know. I was with you.”

She looked at me with pity. “You are really going to stand there and pretend you do not know? You spent the night with my fiancé. The photos are everywhere. You made sure of that.”

“Stop,” I said. “I woke up with no memory. My dress was folded neatly. I do not know how I got there. You have to believe me.”

She sighed and sat back. “Fine. You are beginning to irritate me. I put something in your champagne at the gala. Just enough to make the night easy. I arranged for you to go to Nico’s suite. I made sure people took photos and leaked them in the morning.”

The room spun. “What...???? You did what??? You...dru...gged...me?” I stammered. “You...are...joking right...? You performed this drama like I betrayed you when it was you who did the betraying. Am I a joke to you? Do you know how scared I was? Do you know how many judgmental stares I got? I am trending for something I had no hand in. And you sat here like it is none of your business.”

“I needed a way out and you were the way to my freedom,” she answered with a shrug. “You do not know how it feels to have that name over your head. Marrying into the Castellanos… I would have disappeared. At least this way the damage is on you. You have always been stronger than me, Reva. This was the cleanest way for everyone.”

“Cleanest,” I said. The word made me cold. “Did you even think about what this would do to me?”

Petra looked straight at me. “I thought about what it would do to me if I had to walk down that aisle. That was enough.”

The doorbell rang.

Petra turned. She looked relieved.

A man in a dark suit walked in. Forty-five. Thick cream envelope with dark wax seal.

“Signorina Aldridge,” he said to Petra politely. “Sorry for the interruption.”

Petra nodded.

He looked at me. “I am looking for Signorina Reva Aldridge.”

Petra pointed. “She is right here.”

The man turned to me. “Signor Castellano wants to see you at three o’clock today at our offices in Milan. A car will come for you in one hour. This is not a request.”

He held out the envelope. I took it. The paper felt heavy.

He nodded and left.

The room went quiet.

I stood there. My sister’s betrayal and this new order pressed on me. When I looked at Petra one last time, something between us broke forever. Quiet. Final.

She opened her mouth.

I did not wait. I turned and walked out without another word.