The Harper estate was a vision of opulence, draped in gold and crimson, shimmering under the grand chandeliers that hung from the ceiling like falling stars. The ballroom was packed with influential figures—politicians, business moguls, and those whose power thrived in the shadows. Tonight was a celebration, an introduction of two heirs stepping into the legacies they had been born into.

Ayzel Harper stood at the center of it all, poised in an elegant black gown that clung to her like authority itself. A glass of champagne dangled effortlessly between her fingers as she exchanged pleasantries with guests, a charming smile masking the weight in her chest. She knew what this night meant. Stepping into the family business wasn't just about power—it was about responsibility, about sacrifice. And she was ready.

Levi Sinclair, on the other hand, was not.

Dressed in a sharp navy suit, he laughed at something a guest said, but the amusement never quite reached his eyes. His grip tightened around his glass, his reflection staring back at him in the polished floor beneath his feet. This isn't what I want. The thought clawed at him relentlessly. Football had always been his dream, his escape. But this world of blood and expectations was never supposed to be his.

Zaiden noticed. Of course, he did. Standing beside him, the weight of his family's empire already pressing down on his shoulders, he saw the hesitation in Levi's stance, the way his jaw clenched too tightly.

"You look like you'd rather be anywhere else," Zaiden muttered, voice low enough that only Levi could hear.

Levi let out a short laugh, running a hand through his hair. "That obvious?"

Zaiden's lips barely curved into a smirk. "To me? Yeah."

Across the room, Haelyn Rosewood watched them carefully. She had known Levi for years, had memorized every subtle shift in his expressions. Something was wrong. His laughter was hollow, his usual charm forced. And it made her uneasy.

But before she could dwell on it further, the music quieted, signaling the start of the speeches. The room fell into silence as Ayzel's father stepped forward, raising a glass.

"To the future," he declared, pride gleaming in his eyes as he turned to Ayzel and Levi.

The applause was polite, the tension suffocating.

Then, the first gunshot rang out.

A scream shattered the air.

The masked gunmen stormed in like shadows, weaving between the guests with ruthless precision. Silencers on their weapons turned the massacre into a nightmare of silent, efficient slaughter. The Harpers and Sinclairs mighty and untouchable fell like dominoes, their blood pooling onto the pristine marble floors.

Ayzel's breath hitched as she turned, just in time to see her father collapse, a crimson stain spreading across his chest. Her mother's scream was cut short as another bullet found her. No. No. No.

"Ayzel!"

Kai.

Her younger brother's voice broke through the panic, his grip firm as he pulled her back just as another round of gunfire exploded through the air. Move. Move. Move. Her legs felt frozen, but Kai was already ahead, shielding her with his own body as he guided her toward the nearest exit.

Zaiden didn't hesitate. He grabbed Runa by the wrist and yanked her toward cover, his mind already working at a hundred miles per hour. Who the hell planned this? This wasn't random. This was war.

Levi barely had time to think. His body moved on instinct, positioning himself in front of Haelyn as a gunman raised his weapon in their direction. He lunged, pushing her to the ground just as the bullet grazed his arm.

"Levi!" Haelyn's voice cracked as she tried to pull him up, but he barely registered the pain. They had to get out.

The six of them—bloodied, terrified, and lost—stumbled into the night as the only world they had ever known collapsed behind them.

Flashback: Arrival in Paris

The Eiffel Tower glowed in the distance, casting golden light over the bustling streets of Paris. The six friends stood together, a mix of excitement and exhaustion lingering from their long flight.

Ayzel stretched her arms, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Okay, first things first—food. I refuse to enjoy this city on an empty stomach."

Kai rolled his eyes. "You literally ate on the plane."

"That doesn't count."

Zaiden smirked, glancing at Runa. "She's right. Airplane food is an insult to humanity."

Runa laughed, nudging him playfully. "Glad we agree on something."

Haelyn had her nose buried in a guidebook. "There's a little café nearby that's supposed to have the best pastries."

Levi grinned, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Lead the way, Rosewood. I trust your judgment."

The night was filled with teasing, laughter, and stolen glances—memories that would soon become lifelines when everything fell apart.