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The hallway of the grand hotel was dim and quiet, bathed in eerie silence as the lights suddenly flickered off. Ameya stood alone, right in the middle of the path leading to the ballroom, confusion crossing her face.
A faint glow caught her eye. She looked down.
Her green stone golden ring... it was glowing softly.
Ameya raised her hand slightly, staring at the luminous stone. It shimmered gently, almost pulsing.
She whispered instinctively, her voice barely audible in the dark hallway, "I wish the power comes back."
The moment the words left her lips, the lights above flickered back on. The chandeliers lit up in a cascade, illuminating the corridor like nothing had happened.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"No way…" she whispered, eyes widening. "My… ring... it can make my wishes come true?"
She gasped, connecting the dots in her mind. "today… Alice's heels broke during the dance …" Her breath caught. "Yes… I unknowingly wished for it. That's how…"
The weight of realization made her tremble slightly. Her world tilted in confusion and wonder.
Just then, a hand tapped her shoulder.
"Ameya!" Jenna's concerned voice echoed. "I've been searching for you everywhere. Are you alright?"
Ameya turned to face her, still dazed. "Jenna... do you know… my ring can make wishes come true?"
Jenna raised an eyebrow, confused. "Ring? Are you out of your mind?"
"I'm serious!" Ameya grabbed her hand. "Just now, the lights were off. I wished it would come back and—it did! Even Alice's broken heel! I wished it without realizing!"
"Ameya, this isn't the time for—"
"No! If you don't believe me, wait. I'll prove it. How about I wish that Michael understands you—everything about our soul shift—everything you've tried to explain to him."
"No!" Jenna stopped her instantly. "Don't do that!"
Ameya looked stunned. "Why? I'm just trying to help…"
Jenna pulled her hand away, her voice tightening. "If your ring can grant wishes, fine. I'm happy for you. But I don't want to use magic to make someone believe me. Especially not someone I love."
Ameya fell silent.
"If Michael really loves me, he should believe me with his heart—not because of some wish."
Ameya lowered her head. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to fix things..."
Jenna's eyes turned both angry and worried. "Ameya, he's not Rico. Not everyone's like your perfect Rico. I understand Michael. Even if he believes the soul shift, he'll think I tricked him. That I betrayed him. This isn't something anyone can understand so easily."
The words hit hard.
Ameya's heart ached watching Jenna's pain.
"I'm sorry," Jenna added softly, "But I don't want help like that. If he understands me one day, I want it to be real. Not magic."
She took a deep breath. "I have to go. Hendrix is waiting. Will you wait in the car for me?"
Ameya nodded quietly, her heart sinking. Jenna turned and walked away, her silhouette disappearing down the hall.
Left alone again, Ameya stood frozen in place, sadness creeping in. She truly wanted to help Jenna, but instead, she made her feel worse.
Suddenly—
A hand gripped her wrist and spun her around.
Ameya gasped.
A tall figure stood inches away—his arm sliding around her waist, pulling her close. His face neared hers, his breath brushing her cheek.
Her hands instinctively pressed against his chest. Her eyes fluttered closed.
"I'm not the one you loved…" she whispered.
He stopped, his lips just a breath away.
"I know," Michael whispered back, a gentle pain in his voice. And then—he let her go and walked away silently.
Ameya stood frozen in the hallway, stunned.
Far in the shadows, a click echoed.
A mysterious figure lowered his camera after capturing a photo—Michael and Ameya, in a moment that could ruin everything.
---
After the Birthday Party...
Mrs. Clara chatted politely with her business partners in a corner of the garden.
Rico marched straight toward her, expression stormy.
"Mom," he called firmly.
Clara excused herself and approached him. "Rico? What's wrong?"
"Why did you do that?" he asked, eyes burning. "Why did you let Angela announce that engagement?"
Clara blinked. "Rico, I didn't know she'd—"
"Don't lie to me, Mom," he cut her off. "You've been acting like one of Angela's puppets lately."
Clara's voice trembled. "I'm not! I didn't agree to this. It was a surprise to me too."
"You expect me to believe that?" Rico growled. "You knew. You just didn't stop her. Why? Because you wanted it?"
"I didn't get a chance to tell you—"
Rico's voice rose. "You should've told me before you nodded to her plans."
Clara stepped back in shock. "I'm your mother! I would never—"
"But you did," Rico said coldly. "You betrayed me once again."
Clara reached for him. "Rico…"
He stared into her eyes. "This isn't the first time I've disobeyed you."
And he walked away, leaving Clara frozen in place, whispering his name in disbelief.
---
At Angela's House...
Angela sat triumphantly on the couch, sipping wine and watching the replay of the birthday event on her laptop. Alice leaned beside her, eyes glowing with glee.
"You've really done it, Mom," Alice said, hugging her. "I'm so happy."
Angela smiled, running a hand through Alice's hair. "When did you start liking Rico anyway? Weren't you always at odds?"
Alice giggled. "Maybe after he debuted… When he became him, you know? Something changed."
Angela chuckled.
A message pinged her laptop.
She clicked it open.
And froze.
Her glass almost dropped from her hand.
"What is this?!" she hissed.
Alice leaned in curiously. Her eyes widened at the photo.
Michael and Ameya—locked in a nearly-kiss moment.
"Well, well," Alice smirked. "Look what your beloved son has been doing behind the curtains."
Angela's face turned furious. "Stop it, Alice!"
But Alice wasn't done. Her eyes narrowed.
"Wait… isn't she the girl who was standing next to Jenna during the party?"
Angela zoomed in.
Her jaw clenched. "What… she…"
Her voice trailed off as pieces began to fall into place.
The wheels in Angela's mind were turning again—and this time, her smile faded into a dangerous silence.
---