The Winter Formal was the kind of event Emma had dreamed about once—long before her life turned into a circus. The gymnasium was transformed into a sparkling wonderland, complete with fairy lights, elegant table settings, and a massive stage for the night’s spotlight moments. But Emma barely noticed any of it.
She tugged at the hem of her midnight-blue dress, trying to blend into the sea of glamorous students. Her heart pounded with unease, her instincts screaming that something bad was about to happen. She wasn’t wrong.
“Attention, everyone!” Victoria’s voice echoed through the speakers, pulling everyone’s gaze toward the stage. She stood there, dazzling in a glittering silver gown, her smile predatory.
“This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for,” Victoria cooed, gripping the microphone like she was hosting a reality show. “The announcement of your Winter King and Queen.”
The crowd cheered, and Emma tried to slip into the shadows. She knew Victoria wasn’t going to let her have a peaceful night.
“But before we get to that,” Victoria continued, her tone sharp, “I think it’s only fair we take a moment to honor someone very special.” Her eyes scanned the crowd, landing on Emma. “Emma Williams.”
Every head turned toward Emma. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and Emma froze, her stomach twisting.
“Emma has worked so hard to make this year unforgettable,” Victoria said, her smile dripping with mockery. “And tonight, she’s going to make history. Because her bucket list—yes, that bucket list—is about to reach its grand finale.”
The room filled with gasps and laughter.
“Victoria, stop!” Emma shouted, stepping forward. Her voice shook, but she refused to let Victoria control the moment.
But Victoria wasn’t done. “Oh, Emma, don’t be shy. Everyone’s dying to know. The final dare, Lose my virginity, is about to come true. And do you know who the lucky guy is?” She paused for dramatic effect, then pointed. “Liam Carter.”
The room erupted into chaos—gasps, laughter, jeers. Emma’s breath caught in her throat.
“That’s not true!” Emma yelled, her voice breaking. “You’re lying!”
Victoria tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Lying? Well, let’s see.” She gestured to the projector screen behind her.
A video began to play. The shaky footage showed Liam and Victoria in a dimly lit hallway, standing close.
“If we ruin her now, she won’t recover,” Liam’s voice said in the video. “She’s an easy mark. Let’s finish this.”
The crowd went silent for a moment before exploding into whispers.
“I can’t believe it.”
“She’s been played this whole time.”
“What a joke.”
Emma’s legs felt like they were going to give out. She turned to Liam, her eyes wide with hurt and betrayal. He stood near the edge of the room, his face pale. But he didn’t deny it.
“Liam?” Emma whispered, her voice trembling. “Is it true?”
He didn’t answer.
Emma didn’t wait for him to speak. She turned and bolted from the ballroom, her heels clacking against the polished floor as she pushed through the heavy gym doors. Her vision blurred with tears, her heart pounding so loudly she thought it might burst.
“Emma, wait!” Liam’s voice called from behind her.
She ignored him, but he caught up, grabbing her arm gently. “Emma, please. It’s not what it looks like.”
She spun around, pulling her arm free. “Not what it looks like? There’s a video, Liam! I saw it! You said those things!”
“It’s edited,” Liam said desperately. “She’s trying to set me up, Emma. She’s trying to make you think I’m against you.”
Emma’s voice cracked as her emotions spilled out. “Why should I believe you? You’ve been keeping secrets from me since the beginning. I don’t even know who you are anymore!”
Liam took a step closer, his eyes pleading. “You think you’re the only one she’s destroying? Victoria’s had me under her thumb for years! You don’t know what she’s capable of!”
“Then tell me!” Emma shouted. “Stop with the cryptic warnings and just tell me the truth!”
Liam hesitated, his jaw clenching. “She has dirt on me—on my family. If I don’t do what she wants, she’ll ruin more than just my life.”
Emma stared at him, her heart aching. “So what? You just decided to ruin mine instead?”
“No!” Liam’s voice cracked with desperation. “That’s not what I wanted. I was trying to protect you!”
“Protect me?” Emma let out a bitter laugh. “Well, you’ve done a great job. Just… leave me alone, Liam. I’m done.”
Liam opened his mouth to respond but stopped, his shoulders sagging. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Emma standing alone under the cold night sky.
Emma wiped her tears as she stumbled toward the parking lot. She needed to go home, to get away from this nightmare. But before she reached her car, Katie appeared, her face pale and anxious.
“Emma,” Katie said breathlessly. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Emma frowned. “What do you want, Katie? To stab me in the back again?”
Katie flinched. “I deserve that. But you need to know the truth. Victoria’s been planning this for weeks. She had access to your phone way before the list leaked. She knew about everything.”
Emma’s heart sank. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Katie looked away, guilt written all over her face. “I was scared. I thought if I stayed out of it, I wouldn’t get hurt. I was wrong.”
Emma stared at her, anger and exhaustion swirling in her chest. “Katie, I—”
Her phone buzzed in her bag, cutting her off. She pulled it out and froze.
It was a text from an unknown number.
“Turn around.”