From Their Stand-in to Center of His Universe

Everyone in Vallermoore knew I was Cole Mitchell and Finn Archer's most treasured princess.

At 12, Cole saved me from my abusive dad's grip and gave me a second shot at life. He vowed to protect me always.

At 13, Finn rented out an entire amusement park for my birthday and whispered that guarding my smile was his mission for life.

Now I was 23, and they locked me in a pitch-black, freezing attic for three winter days.

As I slowly lost consciousness, they were busy fawning over Zoey Hart, their long-lost childhood friend.

"Everything you have is mine, so it's time to give it back."

After hearing what Zoey said, I left without making a scene or shedding a single tear. However, for years after, they tore the city apart and tried to find me like mad.

With a sharp crash, a gust of wind shattered a tiny attic window and rained glass panes near my feet.

It was pitch-dark up here in the attic, while the air was damp and bitterly cold. Panic gripped me as I pounded my fists against the iron door.

"Cole, Finn! I can't stay here any longer, please… Please let me out… I'm going to die in here…"

Shivering in the cold, I wore nothing but a thin party dress. The shards of glass scattered all around my feet cut into my skin.

As I slammed on the cold iron door, my hands throbbed in pain, but my desperate, fearful pleas did nothing other than fuel waves of mocking laughter.

"She won't die! Three days won't kill her!"

"Say… How long will she last? Wanna place your bets?"

The sound of footsteps faded away, and they took my last shred of hope with them. Through the only tiny window in the attic, I saw Zoey Hart's birthday party in full swing below.

The two men who usually treated me like the apple of their eyes stood by her side. Cole Mitchell draped his cashmere scarf around her shoulders, while Finn Archer blew warm air on his hands and cupped them on her chilled, red ears.

Encircled by a crowd, they looked up at the dazzling fireworks in the sky with awe.

Cole Mitchell had once been my savior. He'd led me into a whole new world and promised me the best of the world.

Finn Archer had been my warm sun. He couldn't bear to see me hurt and would do anything to keep me laughing. But now, my life meant nothing to them as they turned a blind eye to me while I was locked in this freezing cage.

Even as I teetered on the brink of despair, they only had eyes for her. All that affection that used to shower on me felt like a fleeting dream, now clearly bestowed upon Zoey.

Someone sent a housekeeper to bang on the iron door just to make me scream, and they laughed harder the more I shrieked. When my voice went hoarse, they