Worlds Apart

The luxurious car glided up the winding driveway of Vane Manor. Inside the cabin, Paige Mercer kept her posture flawless, though her thoughts simmered with dark resentment. The truth was, she never finished her studies abroad. The wealthy Mercer family paid a staggering sum to secure her college degree. They raised her with one singular, overarching purpose: to position herself as the future Mrs. Vane. Her obsession with Dominic bloomed during their childhood, setting deep roots in her heart over the years. The thought that Evangeline, an ugly and uncultured country bumpkin, held the right to choose any of the five Vane brothers as her fiancé made Paige burn with quiet fury. In Paige's twisted mind, this rural interloper could lay a filthy hand on any of the younger siblings, but never Dominic.

Walking into the sprawling living room, Paige found the other three Vane brothers lounging on the leather sofas. She played the role of the perfect heiress, flashing a practiced smile as she handed out lavish gifts to each sibling.

Turning to Evangeline, who stood near the staircase, Paige offered a honeyed, sickening sweet apology. "I am sorry, Evangeline. I only just realized you were visiting, so I failed to prepare a gift for you."

Evangeline saw right through the fake display. Before she could react to the blatant insult, Finley jumped in like an eager, obedient puppy. "What are you apologizing for, Paige? You two aren't even close." He tore the wrapping paper off his box and gasped. "Wow, the latest limited-edition game console! You are too kind."

Feeling alienated and bored by the theatrical display, Evangeline turned on her heel. She retreated upstairs to the quiet sanctuary of her bedroom. Her peace was interrupted minutes later when a firm knock sounded.

She pulled the door open to find Dominic. "The Mercers are hosting a grand welcome dinner for Paige tonight," he stated. "Grandpa Jeremiah ordered me to escort you." Since it was his turn to manage her affairs today, the task fell squarely on his shoulders.

Evangeline sighed but followed him downstairs. Soon, the three of them arrived at a high-end boutique. The store smelled of expensive perfumes and polished leather, with racks of designer clothing lining the mirrored walls. Dominic settled into a plush velvet couch, his imposing presence drawing the attention of the store clerks, while the women browsed the racks.

Paige reached out and grabbed Evangeline’s hand with exaggerated, fake sisterly affection. "Evangeline, do not be nervous at the high-society party tonight. Just ask for me if you need anything."

Seeing straight through the condescending manners, Evangeline smiled bright and pulled her hand back. "It is alright. Grandpa Vane assigned Dominic to be my personal escort today. I am relieved to have him around."

A flash of raw jealousy crossed Paige’s eyes, and her grip tightened before letting go. She masked it behind a stiff smile. "You are right. Let us pick our dresses so we do not keep Dominic waiting." Paige guided her toward a secluded rack. "How about I pick one for you?"

Paige pulled out a dark green, aging strapless dress. The fabric was stiff, and the cut was meant for a woman decades older. She hoped to humiliate the girl in public. "What about this one?"

Evangeline recognized the malicious intent but accepted the dress without complaint. "Okay, I will take this." She was indifferent to her attire since she had already made her face look terrible with fake moles.

"Let us get our makeup done," Paige suggested, her lips curling into a sly smile.

"No," Evangeline refused. "I am having skin allergies."

Paige did not push the issue, thrilled at the prospect of Evangeline looking atrocious. When they emerged, Paige looked charming in a stunning light blue gown, creating a jarring contrast with Evangeline’s dreary green dress. Dominic knitted his brows at the sight of the dark fabric, but he remained silent.

The extravagant dinner party took place at the sprawling Mercer Estate. Gleaming chandeliers illuminated the lawns, and waiters moved through the elite crowd with champagne. Paige fluttered around, greeting her wealthy friends with practiced grace.

Nearby, Macy Thorne, Paige’s vicious cousin, sneered at the sight of the ugly newcomer standing close beside the untouchable Dominic. "So, that is Evangeline Ashford?" Macy hissed. "How is such an ugly freak qualified to stand beside Dominic?"

Paige frowned, though she agreed with every word. She had never even attended a formal event as Dominic's official partner.

"Since she dares to attend our elite party," Macy spat, "I must teach her a brutal lesson."

Paige offered a token warning. "Do not be reckless, Macy." Yet she relished the thought of the impending attack.

Across the lawn, several fawning business associates cornered Dominic, drawing his attention away with endless handshakes. Left alone, Evangeline wandered out to the dimly lit back garden. She traced the edge of the massive swimming pool, bored and contemplating sneaking off into the night to find her friend Jace. The party music faded into a soft hum back here. Suddenly, without warning, a forceful shove from behind struck her shoulders. A pair of hands had slammed into her back with malicious intent.

Evangeline lost her footing, tumbling through the cool night air. She crashed into the deep end of the swimming pool. The icy water felt like a physical blow, swallowing her whole in an instant.

Panic consumed her mind. She feared nothing in this world except deep, open water. The crushing weight pressed against her chest, stealing her breath. She kicked and thrashed against the water, fighting the suffocating grip of the deep end to break the surface tension. The chlorine stung her eyes. The sounds of the gasping crowd gathering at the pool's edge sounded muffled and distant through the ringing in her ears.

Standing among the shocked guests, Paige watched the ugly girl flounder. A faint, triumphant smile graced her lips.

But that smile froze into a mask of pure horror.

Without a second of hesitation, Dominic Vane sprinted past the screaming onlookers. He dove into the cold water still in his dark suit, vanishing beneath the ripples as he swam hard toward Evangeline. He wrapped a strong arm around her trembling waist, dragging her desperate, coughing form to the safety of the tiled edge.

Minutes later, Evangeline sat in an upstairs guest room, shivering under a heavy white towel. Dominic had been ushered to a different suite to change.

Water dripped from her soaked hair onto the polished floorboards. She stewed in her anger, her dark eyes narrowing at the closed door. Whoever pushed her was dead meat. She vowed to exact a painful revenge on the coward who sneaked up on her in the dark.

A gentle knock broke her vengeful thoughts.

"Evangeline?" Lucian's voice called out from the hallway. "I am here to bring you some dry clothes. Are you alright?"

She pulled the plush towel tighter around her shoulders and walked over to twist the doorknob. She opened the heavy oak door and reached out to take the bundle of folded clothes. "Thank you," she muttered, keeping her head down.

Lucian handed over the garments, but as his eyes landed on her, he froze in his tracks.

Astounded, his jaw tightened, and he stood paralyzed in the doorway. His breath hitched in his throat. He could not believe his own eyes. The pale, flawless face standing before him looked worlds apart from the ugly, mole-covered bumpkin he thought he knew. The grotesque spots and dull complexion were gone. Instead, staring back at him was a striking, beautiful girl with piercing eyes. He traced the elegant slope of her nose and the natural flush of her cheeks. He recognized those sharp, captivating features. It matched the photo of the mystery racer Finley had shown them earlier that week.

Evangeline noticed his intense stare. A chill that had nothing to do with the cold pool water crept up her spine. Pure panic struck her like a physical blow. She raised a trembling hand to touch her cheek.

Her fingers met smooth, clean skin.

The devastating truth crashed over her. Her cheap makeup had run in the chlorinated pool water. When Dominic pulled her from the depths, she had been coughing and wiping at her face. In her blinding anger over nearly drowning, she had scrubbed the rest of the cosmetics away with the coarse bath towel. She had forgotten about maintaining her vital disguise.

Now, she stood exposed. Her greatest secret laid bare right in front of Lucian Vane.