KISS'S POV
If there was one person in this world who never judged me, never pitied me, and never tried to control my life, it was Augustina,the girl I found a sister in.
The moment I told her about the celebration, she didn't ask questions. She didn't lecture me about my family or my complicated life. She simply said, "Come over. I'll make you look elegant and unforgettable."
And she meant every word.
Unlike me, Augustina was an expert when it came to fashion, makeup, and confidence. I was more comfortable with books, strategies, and silence. So trusting her with my appearance felt like surrendering control—but I needed tonight to be exceptionally perfect.
We spent hours moving between the mall and the salon. Dresses were tried on and rejected. Shoes were swapped. Jewelry sparkled under bright lights, only to be returned to the shelf moments later.
"Not dramatic enough," Augustina said, waving her hand dismissively.
"Too boring."
"Too soft."
"Too odd"
"Girl, tonight you're not dressing like a victim. You're dressing like the queen you are."
By the time we returned home, exhaustion and tiredness clung to my bones, but excitement fluttered in my chest. The celebration was in less than an hour.
Augustina pushed me toward the mirror once she finished my makeup.
"Now," she said proudly. "Ipresent to you....,Miss Kissabel",she said dramatically.
I froze.
The woman staring back at me didn't look like the Kissabel Hilson I knew. Her eyes were sharper, brighter. Her lips curved naturally, tinted just enough to look dangerous. The red gown hugged my body perfectly, its glitter catching every flicker of light. It accentuated curves I never bothered to admire.
"Could… could this really be me?" I whispered.
Augustina gasped dramatically behind me.
"Oh my gosh!" she screamed. "Kiss,that's really you!,stop underestimating yourself"
I shook my head slowly, still in disbelief. "How do I look?" I asked softly, turning around.
Augustina stared at me as if she had just witnessed a miracle.
"Girl," she said, placing a hand on her chest, "you look like a goddess who descended from heaven just to ruin lives tonight. Including mine."
I laughed, warmth spreading through me. "Stop it. You're making me blush."
She wagged her finger. "Nope. You need to hear this. You're intelligent, powerful, and now?" She eyed me from head to toe. "Sexily Deadly", she said with pride in her eyes.
She suddenly began walking across the room exaggeratedly, swaying her hips and biting her lip.
"You see this?" she said. "Confidence. Sexiness. Courage."
I burst into laughter. "Stop it, Pookie! You're embarrassing yourself."
She pouted dramatically. "Am I doing it wrong?"
We both laughed, the sound easing the tight knot in my chest.
Eventually, she checked the time and sighed. "You need to go. And I need to visit Grandma."
I hugged her tightly. "Send my greetings to Mama."
"Always," she said softly. "And Kiss?" She pulled back and looked me straight in the eyes. "No matter what happens tonight, remember who you are."
I nodded.
I didn't know how badly I'd need those words.
---
I arrived at the Hilson mansion ten minutes late.
The place was already buzzing with activity—luxury cars parked neatly, music floating through the air, laughter echoing from inside. I hurried in, digging through my purse to find my phone so I could call Eric.
I wasn't looking where I was going.
Suddenly, I crashed into something hard—no, someone.
I lost my balance, my heels slipping, and before I could scream, strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me upright.
My breath caught.
I slowly looked up.
Icy gray eyes stared back at me—sharp, intense, unreadable. His presence alone was overwhelming. He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in an expensive black suit that screamed power.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The world felt silent.
Then he released me gently.
"You need to be careful while walking, miss," he said calmly.
I blinked, snapping out of my trance. "Oh—yes. Sorry about that. And… thanks."
I straightened my dress, regaining my composure. "But you should also watch where you're going, mister."
I flipped my hair confidently and walked past him without waiting for a response.
Behind me, I felt his gaze linger.
He smirked slightly.
Feisty, he thought. Interesting.
I stepped into the grand hall.
And froze.
My heart shattered in a single second.
Eric was standing there—my boyfriend of five years—his arm wrapped intimately around Ella's waist. Too close. Too familiar.
"What's going on here?" I demanded, my voice sharp with anger.
They turned.
Ella smiled smugly, folding her arms. "Oh? And who do we have here?"
My hands trembled. "What do you think you're doing, Ella?" I snapped. "Why were you touching my boyfriend?"
I marched toward Eric and grabbed his arm.
He shook me off like I was nothing.
Like trash.
He pulled Ella closer, kissed her cheek, and looked at me coldly.
"You need to understand something, Kiss," he said casually. "I'm engaged to Ella. We'll be getting married soon. Don't cause a scene."
My vision blurred.
"How could you do this to me?" I shouted. "I loved you with all my heart! You know I'm not on good terms with her!"
His eyes hardened. "Love?" he scoffed. "You never loved me the way your sister does. She gives me everything I ask for. You couldn't even stand my touch."
Tears streamed down my face.
"Even kissing you was an abomination," he continued cruelly. "And you call that love?"
Something inside me snapped.
A loud slap echoed through the hall.
Silence fell.
"Never," I said through clenched teeth, "never tell me I didn't love you. Between the two of us, you're the one who never knew what love was."
I wiped my tears roughly and forced a smile.
"I don't cry over fools like you."
I stared straight at Ella.
"No wonder you chose my sister," I added coldly. "A bastard and a bitch make a perfect combination."
And with that, I turned away—heartbroken, but unbroken.