Timeline - November 14th | ( 3 Days Later )

For most of Allegiant, today was just another ordinary autumn day.

But for Eko, it was one of the best days. After all, it was her boyfriend's birthday, and she stood in front of her bedroom mirror, giddy with anticipation. She wore a form-fitting, silver-corseted dress that left little to the imagination. Having spent the past week meticulously planning Matthew's birthday party with their friends, she was all set to celebrate, making the most of his sporadic absences.

The chaos of frequent attacks on Isadora and back-to-back meetings with the headmasters of their respective academies had made November an overwhelming month, stretching them thin. Eko was determined that everyone, especially Matthew, deserved a break from the pandemonium, making it all the more crucial that the party went off without a hitch.

Madison's voice brought Eko back to reality. "You can't seriously be wearing that," she sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "And here you are telling me he's not paying you to have sex with him. Honestly, you're really selling that argument."

Eko's eyes flashed with anger as she turned to face Madison directly. "Enough, Madison. He's not paying me for sex, and you damn well know it. He's my boyfriend, and you don't get to keep saying things like that just because you're in a disgusting mood!"

Madison rolled her eyes, her expression steeped in condescension. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hit a nerve? I mean, it's not like it's obvious or anything. His whole fan club knows it too. But hey, if you're comfortable with being his sex little trophy, who am I to judge?"

"What crawled up your ass?" Eko clicked her tongue to the top of her mouth. "Honestly, I thought we agreed to drop the negative attitude. Or did you forget the other morning when you practically begged me not to make you leave? You were all, 'I'll do better, don't make me leave, we're cousins, I love you, I was looking out for you,'... blah, blah, blah. I managed to convince Matthew to let you stay, even though you still haven't apologized." She then raised her chin defiantly, glaring at her cousin through the mirror.

"I said I would not be apologizing to him, even if it's the last thing I do," Madison shot back.

"That's exactly what Matthew said you'd say." Eko's voice was cold as she placed her hands behind her, eyes narrowing as she studied Madison with a calculating gaze. She was determined not to let anything ruin today. "I don't get why you keep acting like he's the worst person in the world."

Turning back to the mirror, Eko snatched her lipstick from the desk, her hand trembling slightly as she shook her head, the frustration burning in her chest. While applying the lipstick with forceful, almost angry strokes, she couldn't hold back her words. "It's his birthday, Madison. For once in your life, can't you just stop with the bullshit? Just for one damn day?"

Madison's eyes narrowed into slits as she settled onto the bed, crossing her arms so tightly it was as if she was physically holding herself back. Her gaze was piercing as she scrutinized the dress Eko wore, dripping with disdain and venom. "Why the hell should I bother celebrating his existence?" Madison spat. "I've tolerated your relationship with him, haven't I? But don't you dare expect me to be happy about it. And don't even think about asking me to celebrate his birth like it was some blessing to this world. Because it wasn't."

Eko rolled her eyes, the movement slow and deliberate, as she turned back toward her vanity. The tension in the room was palpable, each of them digging in their heels in this silent battle. She grabbed her hair extensions, methodically fastening them into her high ponytail. The new length cascaded down to her waist, shimmering in the soft light of her bedroom. She took a deep breath, centering herself, before turning back to Madison.

Without breaking eye contact, Eko took a few steps closer and knelt in front of her cousin, placing her hand firmly on Madison's lap. The contact was intentional, a calculated move to assert her position. Eko stared up at her, her eyes hardening. "If you keep going like this, I won't be able to protect you. I won't be able to convince Matthew or the others to let you stay. The only reason they tolerate you is because they think you're me. They think you're the princess."

Madison's eyes flickered with defiance, her body stiffening under Eko's touch. "Good!" she snapped, her voice laced with rebellion.

Eko's jaw clenched, her patience wearing dangerously thin. She leaned in closer, her grip on Madison's lap tightening with a quiet, simmering anger. "Do you even understand what that means? They're only putting up with you because they believe you're someone important to them. If they find out you're not, things could get very dangerous for you."

Madison looked away, pulling her lap from Eko's grasp with a sharp, deliberate movement, her expression hardening as she masked the brief flicker of uncertainty that crossed her face. "I don't need their protection," she muttered, her voice defiant but tinged with something darker.

Eko's frustration boiled over. "Stop being so stubborn, Madison! This isn't just about you. It's about all of us. We need to stick together, especially now. Matthew and the others are risking everything, and you're making it harder."

Madison's gaze snapped back to Eko, her eyes cold and unyielding. "And?"

"Jesus, Maddy!" Eko groaned, her voice slicing through the tension like a knife. "You're not even sorry. Look at you, you're not sorry at all!" She let go of her cousin's hand with a sharp flick and rose from the floor, pacing back to the mirror to ready herself once more. The memory of the near-death encounter weighed heavily on her mind. "You nearly got us killed, and Matthew's heart..." She bit down on her bottom lip, trying to keep the painful memories from overwhelming her.

Madison's voice was icy, her words cutting like glass. "I'm surprised he even had a heart to begin with. His very existence is an abomination."

Eko spun around, her anger erupting like a storm. "Enough with this!" she shouted, pointing a trembling finger at her cousin. "At the end of the month, pack your stuff. We'll transfer you to Beltac, and I'll see you on the weekends!"

Madison shot up from the bed, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "That's not funny, Sera!"

"I'm not joking, Madison," Eko's voice was deadly serious. "If you can't show a little respect and decency, then you can't stay here. I've had enough of your attitude, and I've had enough of all this anxiety you're causing!"

For a moment, Madison's defiance wavered, her eyes searching Eko's face for any sign that this was all just another one of their arguments. But there was nothing—only the cold, hard truth staring back at her. Her hands clenched into fists, her voice quivering with bitterness. "Fine! I'll make sure your precious little boyfriend knows that you're the Royal Queen of the Two Worlds, and then we'll see how well your relationship holds up!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Eko hissed, her voice low and dangerous as she stepped closer to Madison, her fury seething just beneath the surface. "You wouldn't do that to me, not after everything we've been through!"

"And yet here you are, doing it to me!" Madison exploded, leaping off the bed and tossing the tablet aside with a violent sweep. She stood toe-to-toe with Eko, her fierce gaze boring into her cousin's. "You're choosing him over me, and you know it!"

"There is no choosing! I love you both, but my place is here, with him!"

"Your place is on the throne!" Madison shrieked, her voice tearing through the room.

"The more you shove that down my throat, the more I despise it!" Eko roared back, her voice cracking under the crushing weight of it all. "I'm done, Madison. You need to find somewhere else to go. I can't keep doing this—I won't!"

Madison's fury burned hotter, her eyes blazing as she stepped forward, refusing to back down. "Why are you tearing us apart?! Are you really going to choose him over me? Over us?"

"No one is making that choice, Madison!" Eko shot back. "But you're the one forcing this ultimatum! It's not Matthew, it's not me—it's you!"

"Sera!"

The room fell silent, both of them breathing heavily, their hearts pounding in the stifling tension. Neither had imagined it would come to this, but Madison's relentless negativity had driven Eko to the edge. The weight of the ultimatum hung heavily in the air, suffocating, and it was the last thing Eko wanted to deal with on this night.

"You are doing this; this messed-up decision is yours," Eko stopped briefly at the door, her voice steely and resolute. "Accept my choices or leave. It's that simple. I want an answer by tomorrow afternoon. Now, I have a celebration to attend to, and you have some serious thinking to do about what you want your life to look like."

With that, she walked out, the door clicking shut behind her with a finality that seemed to echo in the suddenly oppressive silence. Back in the bedroom, Madison sat back down on the edge of the bed, her mind spinning as she stared blankly at the wall. She had always felt like an outsider in Sera's life, but now it felt as though Matthew was pushing her even further away, widening the chasm between them. The thought of losing her cousin to him, of being left behind while Sera embraced a life she neither understood nor wanted any part of, was unbearable.

The choice hung over her like a dark cloud, heavy and inescapable. Tomorrow afternoon, she would have to decide: accept Sera's choices and be complicit in her own erasure, or leave and risk losing the only family she had left. It felt impossible, but she knew she couldn't afford to stay still. She couldn't just sit back and watch everything she cared about slip away, leaving her with nothing but regrets.

Lying back onto the bed now, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, Madison's thoughts turned to her plan. It was risky, dangerous even, but it was the only way she could see to regain control, to prevent Sera from slipping away entirely. She would have to act quickly and decisively, but if it worked, it would change everything—reshape the narrative in her favor, reassert her importance in Sera's life.

Tomorrow, she would face Sera with a decision of her own—one that would force her cousin to choose, to finally see who was really in control. And for the first time in a long time, Madison allowed herself to smile, a cold, determined expression that mirrored the resolve hardening in her heart.

She would save her. This time she would.

***** *****

The group arrived at "The Crown" nightclub, which had been rented out exclusively for the occasion. The grand exterior of the club was adorned with elegant, shimmering lights that hinted at the celebration inside. Eko, donning a backless silver corset party dress that hugged her curves perfectly, met Jesse outside the venue. Jesse, looking stunning in a navy-blue Nyasia One Shoulder Hem Dress, greeted her with a warm smile. Mya, wearing a knee-length pink sheath dress that highlighted her graceful figure, joined them.

Eko couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that Mya had found the dress before her during their shopping trip. She adored the layered split bow that sprung off Mya's shoulder, and the thought of sneaking into Mya's room to borrow it later in the week crossed her mind more than once.

The girls entered the elevator, which had been transformed into a festive space for the night, with soft neon lights and a lively playlist setting the mood. Inside, they found Jasmine, her hair dyed back to the vibrant pink Eko had first met her with. The long trails of pink cascaded down her back, making her look ethereal. Jasmine was a vision in her puffed-sleeve tulle dress, the mini-length hem and extra puff sleeves adding a unique touch to her ensemble. She greeted the girls with a warm embrace, and they ascended to the top floor of the four-leveled building.

As the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by a mesmerizing sight. The top floor was transformed into a dazzling party venue, bustling with people from various academies. Everyone was dressed to impress, the air filled with excitement and the vibrant beats of the music resonating through the room. Sparkling lights hung from the ceiling, casting a magical glow over the crowd, while strobe effects added an energetic pulse to the atmosphere.

The room was alive with laughter and chatter, the energy infectious. Eko took a moment to soak it all in, feeling a sense of accomplishment. She had spent the past week meticulously planning this event, coordinating every detail to ensure it was perfect for Matthew. The anticipation of seeing his reaction made her heart race with excitement.

Jesse couldn't contain her enthusiasm as she looked around, her eyes wide with delight. "This is amazing! He's going to love it!" she exclaimed with genuine excitement.

"He'll be here with the guys in twenty minutes," Eko confirmed, taking in the spectacle before them. "I don't think he realizes how out of control this has gotten!"

The private event was packed with hundreds of people, and as Eko looked around, she realized just how deeply Matthew was loved and how many people wanted to celebrate him. The outpouring of affection and admiration was overwhelming, and she found herself wishing she had made the event even grander to match the enormity of his impact. Well, her subconscious smirked, there's always next year, right?

Jasmine nodded while Mya smirked. "Alright, I'll get everyone in position. Toni will let us know when they're downstairs!"

The girls split up and disappeared into the crowd. Eko, grinning from ear to ear, hugged and greeted people she knew, including some from Matthew's fan club, whom she wasn't entirely fond of. Nevertheless, he was hers now and not theirs, and if any of them got too touchy, she would be escorting them right back home with a black eye.

After ten minutes, then twenty, Jasmine finally got the message from Toni.

"They're heerrreeee!" Jasmine screamed hysterically, waving down the DJ to cut the music.

"Eko, go!" she heard her name being screamed over the crowd, and Jasmine grasped her hand. They made a rushed dash to a private room where a few of the club's attendees were on hand, ready to assist in the surprise.

As they scurried around the penthouse floor, the crowd of hundreds was ushered to quiet down. Jesse, clasping Mya's hand, pushed forward to get the best hiding spot for the surprise. Phones were ready to capture the moment, and they knelt down with the rest of the crowd, murmuring with excitement.

The room went dark, with hushed whispers spreading through the crowd. Jasmine, annoyed, stepped out from the private room and screamed, "Shut the fuck up! You're going to ruin it!" before disappearing back into the room. Low giggles echoed through the penthouse floor in response.

The anticipation was palpable, every second stretching into eternity. The air was thick with suspense, the silence punctuated by the occasional nervous laugh or shuffle of feet. After what felt like forever, the elevators finally opened. A collective breath was held as Matthew stepped out, dressed in an open-collared black suit, along with Toni and Richie.

He laughed nervously, "Seriously, should I be afraid?" as the darkness consumed them. His heart pounded in his chest, the unknown heightening his senses. The tension built up inside him,

Suddenly, the room erupted with a loud "SURPRISE!" as the lights blared intensely and the music blasted through the speakers. Matthew watched as his friends jumped out front and center, and a penthouse packed full of people screamed at him. The cacophony of cheers, the flashing lights, and the sight of so many familiar faces left him momentarily stunned. He was surrounded by the immense shouting of his close friends, raising their glasses, and 'happy birthday' flooded his senses.

Matthew burst out laughing as his friends engulfed him with hugs and kisses on the cheek, leaving him feeling overwhelmed by the sea of faces around him. The warmth and love in the room were overwhelming. After a few minutes, Jesse signaled for silence by tapping her wine glass. The crowd gradually quieted down, turning their attention to her.

As the noise subsided, Matthew turned to face Jesse and Mya, who raised their glasses in a toast to him. However, he noticed that two people were missing, and he suspected that the troublemakers were up to something.

Jesse took the floor, her voice clear and enthusiastic. "Good evening, everyone! We're gathered here to celebrate a very special twenty-third birthday! Thank you all for joining us in honoring the man I've grown up with, the one I consider my oldest brother, our fearless leader in this war, and the stubborn bastard who never backs down. To our amazing and elusive Headmaster—Happy Birthday, Mattie!"

The crowd raised their glasses as the music continued to hum softly in the background, creating an intimate yet festive atmosphere. The glow from the candles and the soft lights bathed everyone in a warm, golden hue.

"While we are dying to kick off this party," Mya continued from Jesse, "we are starting the celebration with the cake first! Jasmine!"

Jasmine emerged from the private room, accompanied by four club attendees who were pushing an enormous, nearly twenty-tiered cake on a trolley. The cake was an extravagant masterpiece, towering and decorated with intricate designs and shimmering accents. Matthew's expression fell at the extravagance, and he couldn't shake off his suspicion about what was happening and why his girlfriend was still missing.

"Ready!" Jasmine announced, and the crowd began to sing.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" the group cheered, "Happy birthday, dear Matthew!"

Out of nowhere, fireworks suddenly erupted from the cake, exploding all around him. The colorful sparks filled the air, and Matthew took a step back, still in shock as the singing continued. The vibrant display was both dazzling and surreal, making him feel like he was in a dream.

And then, just as he thought the surprises were over, his girlfriend burst out from the top of the cake.

"Happy birthday, babe!" Eko screamed, her arms high in the air, signaling the next part of the surprise. Her entrance was dramatic, her silver dress catching the light and making her look like an ethereal being.

As if that wasn't enough, the entire guest list raised miniature cannons above their heads and fired them into the air. Gold and silver confetti rained down in a shimmering cascade, enveloping the room in festive sparkle. Matthew was left speechless, caught completely off guard by the sheer extravagance of it all.

Almost as though time slowed down, he spun around to take in the world around him. The room was filled with smiling faces, laughter, and a joyous atmosphere of celebration. The energy was infectious, a living, breathing entity that pulsed with every cheer and clap. He turned back to stare at Eko, his heart swelling with an overwhelming wave of love for her.

There she was, the goddess that was his girlfriend, standing triumphantly in her itty-bitty silver dress—the same dress that had cost him $5,000. The sight of her, radiant and beaming with pride, made everything else fade into the background. The way the light caught the sequins of her dress, making her shimmer like a celestial being, took his breath away.

She was a sight to behold, and he couldn't help but stare at her in awe. She rallied the crowd to keep singing before directing her attention to him. Her bright blue eyes sparkled, reflecting the confetti that continued to rain down upon them like stardust. Her smile was infectious, a beacon that drew him in and held him captive.

In that moment, Eko didn't understand just how much she meant to him. For Matthew, there was only her. She was his true north, his guiding light. She was his northern light, dancing across the mountains inside of him, illuminating his darkest paths. She was his constant, his anchor in the storm, and the one person who he had let his guard down with.

She was something of a phenomenon, an angel created from stars that only comes around once in a lifetime. And to think, he was alive to be the one who got to love her.

As the crowd continued to cheer and celebrate, Matthew felt an overwhelming sense of peace and certainty. This was his life, his love. He knew, without a doubt, that he was exactly where he was meant to be. With the ring safely stashed away back at the apartment, his mind raced ahead to New Year's.

Because that was the night he was going to propose to her.

New Year's Eve would be the night he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.