That night, the elite halls of St. Helena High were transformed into a dazzling night party. Neon lights flashed, the DJ’s music shook the floor, and the students looked more like celebrities than teenagers—dressed in glittering gowns, sharp tuxedos, and drenched in expensive perfume.

You came with Ethan Cross—your boyfriend, the golden boy of the school. Son of a billionaire, captain of the basketball team, breathtakingly handsome, and every girl’s fantasy. But beneath his flawless smile was his notorious reputation—Ethan Cross, the untouchable heartbreaker.

You had convinced yourself you were different. That somehow, he would choose you above all.

But tonight, something felt wrong.

Ethan spent most of the night surrounded by admirers, laughing too easily at other girls’ jokes, letting their hands linger on his arm. And every time you tried to hold his hand, he brushed you off with an absentminded, “Not now.”

The knot in your chest grew tighter until you couldn’t stand it anymore. You finally cornered him near the bar, away from the crowd.

“Ethan,” you snapped, your voice trembling with both anger and hurt. “How much longer are you going to flirt with other girls when I’m standing right here? I’m your girlfriend, not some stranger you can ignore.”

He turned his head slowly, his dark eyes narrowing on you. And then he smirked—cold, detached. “Not now.”

Two words. Nothing more.

Your heart dropped. “Ethan—”

But he was already walking away, disappearing into the glow of the dance floor. Desperation clawed at you, and you followed, weaving through the crowd until you froze dead in your tracks.

There he was. Ethan had stopped, his tall frame towering over a girl you knew far too well.

Your best friend.

The same girl who had promised she would always stand by your side.

Ethan leaned in close, whispering something that made her shift nervously. “E-Ethan, stop,” she murmured, her voice trembling.

But he didn’t stop.

Instead, his hand slid easily around her waist, pulling her against him. And before you could even process what you were seeing, Ethan tilted his head down and kissed her.

Right there. In front of everyone.

But what shattered you wasn’t just the kiss.

It was his eyes.

Because while his lips were on her, his gaze never left yours. Ethan Cross kissed your best friend while looking directly at you—like it was a deliberate act, like he wanted to carve the betrayal into your skin.

Your chest constricted so painfully you could barely breathe. The room spun, the music turned to static in your ears.

You stood frozen, watching the boy you loved destroy you with one calculated kiss. And the girl you trusted most let it happen.

Tears blurred your vision as you finally turned away, walking out of the glittering hall with your heart in pieces. Behind you, laughter and music carried on, mocking your pain.

And somewhere in the crowd, Ethan Cross stood with that cruel little smile, tasting the forbidden kiss while watching you fall apart.