Selina barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw silver eyes watching her through the rain.
Calm.
Patient.
Unwavering.
As though Lucian Blackwood already knew something she didn't.
Morning arrived cold and gray.
For the first time in years, Selina skipped breakfast intentionally.
Usually, she woke early to help organize Damian's meetings or review hotel reports before anyone else came downstairs.
Today, she stayed in bed staring silently at the ceiling.
She owed this family nothing anymore.
A knock sounded around noon.
"Miss Selina," a maid said carefully from outside, "Mr. Vale asked everyone to gather downstairs."
Selina closed her eyes briefly.
Of course.
Eventually, she rose quietly and headed downstairs.
The atmosphere in the mansion felt strangely tense.
Damian stood near the fireplace speaking with Rowan while Livia looked unusually nervous. Even Elara sat silently on the couch, lost in thought.
The moment Selina entered—
everyone looked at her.
She hated how familiar that feeling was becoming lately.
Damian cleared his throat.
"The Blackwoods are hosting a private business gala this weekend."
Rowan immediately straightened. "At the Blackwood estate?"
Damian nodded once.
"It's invitation-only."
Selina remained silent near the staircase.
This had nothing to do with her.
Or at least—
it shouldn't.
Livia smiled carefully. "The Blackwoods specifically requested the Vale family's attendance."
Elara's posture subtly changed at that.
Excitement.
Interest.
Selina noticed it immediately.
Of course.
Lucian Blackwood was powerful, wealthy, feared, mysterious—
the exact kind of man society obsessed over.
Damian continued seriously,
"This gala is important. The Blackwoods rarely associate publicly with anyone."
"And yet they invited us?" Rowan muttered.
"Not exactly."
The room quieted strangely.
Damian's gaze slowly shifted toward Selina.
Something cold settled in her stomach instantly.
"What do you mean?" Elara asked carefully.
Damian's jaw tightened slightly before answering.
"The invitation was addressed to Selina."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Selina stared at him blankly.
"What?"
Livia quickly spoke, almost too quickly. "It's probably a misunderstanding."
But Rowan already looked stunned.
"Elara was the one talking to him yesterday," he said slowly. "Why would he invite Selina?"
Elara's expression had gone perfectly still.
Too still.
Selina noticed the slight tightening of her fingers against the couch cushion.
Jealousy.
Sharp and immediate.
Something inside Selina turned cold.
The feeling was familiar.
Dangerously familiar.
She had seen this look before.
Many times.
Back in her previous life.
"The invitation specifically mentioned her by name," Damian said flatly.
Selina's brows furrowed faintly.
Why?
She barely knew Lucian Blackwood.
And yet somehow—
it felt like he knew her far too well.
Livia forced a smile toward Selina. "You should feel honored."
Honored.
The word almost sounded ironic.
Because for years, no one in this family had ever chosen her first.
Not once.
And now suddenly—
one of the most powerful men in the city wanted her presence specifically.
The shift in atmosphere was immediate.
Uncomfortable.
Unbalanced.
Elara stood slowly.
"I'm going upstairs."
Without another word, she walked away.
Selina watched her leave silently.
She understood that expression perfectly now.
Because once upon a time—
she used to look exactly the same while watching Elara receive everything she wanted effortlessly.
Rowan exhaled awkwardly. "This is... weird."
"Yes," Selina agreed quietly.
Very weird.
Damian looked directly at her then.
"You'll attend the gala."
It wasn't a request.
Selina's expression remained calm.
"No."
The word stunned the room again.
Damian's face darkened instantly. "Excuse me?"
"I said no."
Livia looked alarmed immediately. "Selina, this is the Blackwood family. Refusing them would be disrespectful."
Selina looked down briefly.
If this had happened in her previous life, she would've obeyed instantly.
Would've sacrificed comfort for the family's benefit without hesitation.
But now?
She was tired of being useful.
"I'm not interested," she replied softly.
Damian's voice hardened. "This isn't about what interests you."
Before Selina could answer—
a phone rang sharply across the room.
Rowan glanced at the screen and immediately straightened.
"It's Blackwood Group."
The room went silent again.
Slowly, Rowan answered the call.
"Yes... understood."
His expression shifted strangely as he listened.
Then he lowered the phone slowly and looked toward Selina.
"He says," Rowan swallowed carefully, "'If Selina Vale refuses to attend... then the Vale family no longer needs Blackwood support.'"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.
Even Damian went silent.
Selina's pulse became uneven.
Because somehow—
Lucian Blackwood had just made one thing terrifyingly clear.
He wasn't asking for her presence.
He expected it.