The Billionaire My Sister Wanted Is Mine Now

Serena's POV

I remember the exact moment my life ended.

The champagne in my hand tasted slightly bitter, but I ignored it.

After all, tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of my life.

The ballroom of the Vale Estate glittered with golden lights, crystal chandeliers reflecting across the polished marble floors. The laughter of guests filled the air, soft classical music drifting from the orchestra in the corner. Everyone important in the city was here tonight.

Because tonight, Adrian Kingsley had proposed to me.

Even now, as I stood on the balcony overlooking the endless skyline, the diamond ring on my finger sparkled under the lights. It was huge, easily the kind of ring people would gossip about for weeks.

"The future Mrs. Kingsley."

That's what they had all been calling me tonight.

The thought made me smile faintly.

Not because of the wealth or the title.

But because I had truly believed I was finally going to have a happy life.

I leaned lightly against the balcony railing, letting the cool night air brush against my face. My long chestnut hair moved gently in the wind as I stared at the city below.

Twenty-eight years.

That was how long I had lived.

Twenty-eight years of trying to be the perfect daughter.

The perfect sister.

The perfect fiancée.

And tonight was supposed to be the reward for all that effort.

Behind me, the doors to the ballroom opened.

I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"Sister."

The voice was soft and sweet.

I smiled before turning around.

"Lily."

My stepsister stood in the doorway, looking exactly the way everyone always described her-beautiful and delicate, like a porcelain doll that needed protection.

Her blonde hair fell perfectly over her shoulders, and her pale blue dress made her look even more fragile than usual. People always said Lily looked like an angel.

And for most of my life, I had believed it too.

She walked over to me slowly, her eyes immediately falling to the ring on my finger.

"Wow," she said quietly.

Her voice sounded almost breathless.

"So it finally happened."

I laughed softly.

"Yeah. I guess it did."

Lily reached out and gently took my hand, lifting it so she could examine the ring more closely. The diamond caught the light beautifully, scattering reflections across the balcony walls.

"You're so lucky," she murmured.

I shook my head.

"You'll find someone too."

For a moment, Lily didn't respond.

Then she let go of my hand and leaned against the railing beside me.

"Of course," she said.

"But it probably won't be someone like Adrian Kingsley."

There was something strange about the way she said his name.

Something sharp.

But before I could think too much about it, she smiled again-soft and innocent.

"Have you been drinking?" she asked.

I lifted the champagne glass in my hand.

"Just one."

"Well, that's not enough," Lily said lightly. "You just got engaged. You should celebrate properly."

She nodded