Chapter 1

Amidst the clinking glasses and celebratory chatter of the success party, Brandon, my fiancé, stood by as his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra, “accidentally” spilled an entire glass of red wine all over my design blueprint.

That wasn't just any blueprint. It was the final draft for the ‘Skyway Haven’ project, a masterpiece I’d poured three months of my life into, working endless nights. It was the design that had just clinched the Pritzker Prize.

The crimson liquid spread across the paper like a gaping, hideous wound, instantly seeping into every fiber.

The air went dead silent.

Every eye in the room pivoted to me, eager for the drama to unfold.

Before I could even open my mouth, Brandon moved. He strode forward, not towards me, but to shield a seemingly flustered Cassandra behind him.

He didn't even glance at the ruined blueprint that held my heart and soul.

He looked at me, his brows tightly furrowed, his voice laced with annoyance and a hint of accusation.

“Sera, what’s the big deal? It’s just a blueprint. You can just draw another one when you get back.”

“Cassandra just got back to the country, she doesn’t understand anything. Don’t scare her.”