I stared into the mirror, hating the girl in the tattered dress that hung off my frail shoulders like a shroud. She called me worthless... useless... she said I'd never be loved. The bruises on my arms whispered cruel secrets... he'll leave you, too... you're nothing without me. I believed her. I believed I was broken. I believed I'd be trapped in this hellhole forever – stuck between her toxic wrath and my own shattered dreams.

But then... I saw him. Alessandro Ricci. Billionaire. Arrogant. GODLIKE. He stormed into the charity gala like he owned the world – because he did. His eyes crashed into mine... and for a fleeeting second, I wasn't invisible. He looked at me like I was a queen... like I was seen... like I was wanted... like he wanted to BURN the world for me.

He's playing you, my mind whispered. He'll destroy you. But my soul whispered back... let him try. He thinks he's the predator... but I'm the one with scars. He wants to own me... but I'll burn us both before I let him control me. Game on, Mr. Ricci.

I took a shaky breath... and straightened my spine. You don't know me, Mr. Ricci. But you'll find out. The girl in the mirror smiled – a wicked, broken, hungry smile. Bring. It. On.