The night smelled of blood and betrayal.

Zafira Caelum staggered through the dimly lit alleyway, her breath ragged, her heartbeat a thunderous roar in her ears. The cold air burned her lungs as she clutched her abdomen, where warm, sticky blood seeped through her trembling fingers. Her vision blurred, but she forced herself to keep moving. One step at a time. One breath at a time.

The city lights in the distance flickered like dying stars, casting long shadows over the cracked pavement. She knew she was running out of time. Every step felt heavier, her legs trembling from exhaustion and pain.

Footsteps echoed behind her. Measured. Unhurried.

Like a predator playing with its prey.

A deep voice cut through the silence, smooth yet laced with quiet menace.

"Zafira."

The sound of her name sent a violent shudder through her body.

She knew that voice.

Knew it better than her own heartbeat.

A voice that had whispered promises against her skin in the dead of night. A voice she had trusted. A voice she had loved.

Slowly, she turned her head.

Standing under the dim glow of a streetlamp was Cypher Veyron.

His tall figure was draped in an expensive black trench coat, his dark hair slightly tousled by the wind. His face—sharp, aristocratic, beautiful—was devoid of emotion. Silver eyes locked onto hers with a quiet intensity, sending a fresh wave of fear down her spine.

His right hand held a sleek, black pistol. Pointed directly at her.

Zafira’s breathing hitched. Her fingers twitched against her wound, sticky with the evidence of his betrayal.

"You shot me," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

Cypher tilted his head slightly, as if amused by the obviousness of her statement.

"You already knew this would happen," he said, his voice devoid of warmth. "Why run?"

Her chest ached, not just from the bullet wound, but from the agony of realization.

This wasn’t just an execution.

It was a decision.

He had chosen this. Chosen to betray her. Chosen to end her.

"You said you loved me," she choked out, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Something flickered across his face—something dark, something unreadable. "I did."

The past tense cut through her like a knife.

I did.

Not I do. Not I still do.

Just I did.

Zafira took a shaky step back, her knees threatening to give out beneath her. She had been so blind. So stupidly blind. She had ignored the warnings, ignored the signs, convinced herself that Cypher was different. That what they had was real.

But in the end…

He had chosen the life over her.

He took another step forward, raising the gun slightly. "Close your eyes, Zafira."

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

A shadow moved behind him.

Zafira barely had time to react before another figure emerged from the darkness—a man with sharp features, a cruel smirk, and the same icy detachment in his gaze.

Kairo Valenciaga.

Her blood turned to ice.

Kairo was Cypher’s second-in-command. His right hand. The man who had warned her not to trust the mafia king.

And now he was here, watching her die with amusement dancing in his eyes.

"I told you, didn’t I?" Kairo mused, his voice almost mocking. "You should have never trusted him."

Her breath hitched.

He had been right.

But it was too late.

Cypher’s finger pressed against the trigger.

Zafira’s heart pounded. The world around her slowed. She thought of everything she had lost. Every mistake she had made.

And then—

BANG.

A single shot echoed in the alleyway.

And the world went black.

---

Five Years Earlier

Zafira jolted awake.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, her skin clammy with sweat. She shot up in bed, her fingers clutching at the soft sheets beneath her. Sheets?

Her heart pounded as she looked around.

Gone was the bloodstained alley. Gone was the suffocating darkness. Instead, she found herself in a bedroom bathed in soft morning light. The air smelled like vanilla and fresh linen. The curtains billowed slightly as a cool breeze swept through the open balcony doors.

Zafira’s pulse hammered against her ribs. This wasn’t possible.

Slowly, hesitantly, she turned her gaze toward the full-length mirror across the room.

Her reflection stared back at her. Younger. Healthier. Untouched by betrayal.

Her hands trembled as she reached up, touching her skin. No bullet wound. No blood.

A choked sob escaped her lips.

This was impossible.

She had been shot. She had died.

But somehow… she was alive.

Not just alive.

She was in the past.

A sharp knock on the door made her jump.

Before she could react, the door swung open.

And standing there, looking very much alive and oblivious to her turmoil, was Cypher Veyron.

Not the ruthless, emotionless man who had shot her.

Not the king of a criminal empire.

But the man before it all began.

Zafira’s breath caught.

He looked exactly the same as she remembered. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in his signature black. His silver eyes studied her lazily, as if nothing in the world could faze him.

His gaze flicked over her, sharp and assessing. "You okay?"

Zafira’s mind screamed in confusion.

Five years.

She had been sent back five years.

The very moment before everything fell apart.

The moment before she made the biggest mistake of her life.

She clenched the sheets beneath her fingers, her body shaking with the weight of realization.

This was her second chance.

A chance to change everything.

A chance to uncover the truth before it was too late.

A chance to rewrite her fate.

Her lips parted as she forced herself to breathe, to think.

This time, she would not make the same mistake.

Cypher raised an eyebrow at her silence. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

I have, she thought. And it’s you.

Zafira inhaled sharply, forcing down the panic threatening to consume her. She couldn’t let him see her shaken. Not yet.

She licked her lips, meeting his gaze with all the strength she could muster. "I’m fine."

He studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. "Get dressed. We have business to attend to."

And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone with the weight of a future that had yet to happen.

Zafira exhaled slowly, her hands tightening into fists.

This time, she wouldn’t fall for his lies.

This time, she would survive.

And no matter what it took…

She would make sure Cypher Veyron paid for what he had done.

---

TO BE CONTINUED...

Zafira sat on the edge of the bed, her heart still racing from the realization that she had been sent back in time. Five years. Five whole years before Cypher Veyron would betray her. Before she would bleed out in that alley, abandoned by the man she had once loved.

She clenched her hands into fists, her nails biting into her palms.

This time, she wouldn’t be the naive fool who believed in love. This time, she would be the one in control.

But first, she needed to remember exactly where she was in this timeline.

Zafira stood, forcing her legs to steady beneath her as she walked toward the vanity mirror. Her reflection stared back—smooth skin, untouched by scars or pain, eyes wide with something between determination and fear.

She was in Cypher’s penthouse, that much was clear. The bedroom was spacious, decorated in cool grays and deep blues, luxurious yet strangely impersonal. It had once felt like home, but now it felt like a cage.

She took a deep breath and racked her brain. If this was five years before her death, then… this was the beginning.

The beginning of everything.

This was the time when she was first introduced to Cypher’s world. The time when she was still on the outside, unaware of the depths of the criminal empire she was about to become entangled in.

And today, if she remembered correctly, was the day Cypher would take her to meet his associates for the first time.

Which meant Kairo Valenciaga would be there.

Her stomach twisted at the thought of seeing him again. In her past life, she had ignored his warnings, dismissing him as nothing more than Cypher’s cold and ruthless right-hand man. But now, she understood the truth. He had tried to warn her. He had known all along that Cypher would betray her.

Would he recognize something was different about her? Would he sense that she wasn’t the same naive woman who had once trusted so blindly?

She shook her head. It didn’t matter. She had to act normal—at least until she figured out her next move.

Zafira stepped out of the bedroom and into the expansive open-concept living space. The smell of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, blending with the faint aroma of expensive cologne.

And there he was.

Cypher stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, dressed in an all-black suit, his presence commanding as ever. The morning light cast sharp shadows over his chiseled features, making him look both angelic and utterly dangerous.

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to look at him—not as the man who would one day betray her, but as the man he was now. He was still the same Cypher she had fallen for. Still the man who made her heart race with a single glance.

But she would not be fooled again.

He turned at the sound of her footsteps, his silver eyes locking onto her with quiet intensity. "You’re finally up."

His voice was smooth, familiar. A voice that had once whispered promises in the dark. Promises that had been nothing but lies.

She forced a small smile. "Didn’t sleep well."

Cypher studied her for a long moment before gesturing toward the table, where a simple breakfast was set—croissants, coffee, and fruit. "Eat. We have a long day ahead of us."

She hesitated, but knew better than to refuse. Keeping up appearances was crucial. She took a seat across from him, her fingers wrapping around the warm coffee cup.

He leaned back in his chair, watching her with a calculating gaze. "You seem different this morning."

Her breath hitched.

Did he already suspect something?

She forced a light laugh, masking her nerves. "Must be the lack of sleep."

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push further.

For now.

The drive to the meeting was quiet. Cypher sat beside her in the backseat of a sleek black car, his posture relaxed but his presence overwhelming. He had always been like this—an enigma of control and danger, never revealing more than he wanted others to see.

Zafira kept her gaze on the passing cityscape, her mind racing. She needed to play her part carefully. If she wanted to change her fate, she couldn’t afford to act recklessly.

When the car finally pulled up to the discreet yet extravagant underground club—one of Cypher’s many secret meeting spots—her heart pounded against her ribs.

The moment she stepped inside, she felt it.

The presence of predators.

The room was filled with men who wielded power like a weapon, their gazes sharp, their smiles edged with danger. And among them, leaning casually against the bar with a glass of whiskey in hand, was Kairo Valenciaga.

He looked exactly as she remembered—sharp jawline, piercing dark eyes, an air of detached amusement.

And the moment his gaze met hers, something flickered in his expression.

Recognition?

Curiosity?

Suspicion?

She forced herself to keep her breathing steady as Cypher led her through the room, introducing her to the men who would shape her fate.

And then, they reached Kairo.

"Zafira," he drawled, his lips curving into a smirk. "I see you survived the night."

Her pulse spiked. He had always been good at reading people. Too good.

She met his gaze head-on. "Disappointed?"

His smirk deepened, but something unreadable flickered in his dark eyes. "Not at all. In fact, I’m intrigued."

Cypher placed a possessive hand on the small of her back, a silent reminder of the power he held over her. "Let’s get started."

The meeting was a blur of business talk, alliances, and carefully veiled threats. But Zafira was barely listening.

Her mind was focused on one thing.

Kairo was watching her.

Not in the way he used to—with amusement or mild interest—but with something more calculating. More intense.

He knew.

He didn’t know what exactly was different, but he sensed it.

And that meant she had to be even more careful.

As the meeting wrapped up and the men began to disperse, Zafira felt a firm grip on her wrist.

She turned sharply, only to find herself staring into Kairo’s dark, knowing gaze.

"Walk with me," he said, his voice low.

She glanced toward Cypher, who was engaged in conversation with another associate, before nodding reluctantly.

They stepped into the dimly lit hallway, away from prying eyes.

Kairo leaned against the wall, studying her like a puzzle he was trying to solve. "You’re different."

Her heart pounded.

She forced a smirk. "Is that your way of flirting, Valenciaga?"

He didn’t smile. "No. It’s my way of telling you that whatever game you’re playing—you better be prepared to finish it."

Her fingers clenched into fists.

She met his gaze, her voice steady. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Kairo tilted his head, his expression unreadable. Then, after a moment, he pushed off the wall and leaned in just enough to make her breath hitch.

"Whatever you’re planning," he murmured, "be careful, Zafira. In this world, second chances don’t exist."

Her blood ran cold.

Oh, but they did.

And she was going to use hers to destroy the man who had once destroyed her.

As Kairo walked away, Zafira exhaled slowly, her mind racing.

The game had begun.

And this time…

She would be the one pulling the strings.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Zafira stepped back into the main room, her mind spinning with Kairo’s words.

Whatever you’re planning, be careful, Zafira. In this world, second chances don’t exist.

He didn’t know the truth. He didn’t know that she had already died once. That she had already lost.

But he knew something was off about her.

And that made him dangerous.

She couldn’t afford to let her guard slip. Not in front of him. Not in front of Cypher. Not in front of any of these men who wielded power like a knife at her throat.

Taking a slow breath, she schooled her expression back into one of calm indifference before making her way back to Cypher’s side. He was still deep in conversation, his voice low as he spoke to a man she didn’t recognize.

The moment he felt her presence, his silver eyes flicked toward her, unreadable as always. "You disappeared," he noted, his voice smooth but edged with curiosity.

She smiled slightly, tilting her head. "I needed some air."

His gaze lingered on her for a second too long before he turned back to his conversation. "We’re done here. Let’s go."

Zafira didn’t argue.

The car ride back to the penthouse was silent. Cypher was deep in thought, his fingers idly tapping against his knee. She watched him from the corner of her eye, trying to decipher his mood.

The man who had once made her feel safe was now a puzzle she needed to solve.

She used to think she knew him.

But now she realized how little she had truly understood.

After all, she had never seen the betrayal coming.

Now, she would make sure she never made that mistake again.

---

Zafira stood on the balcony of the penthouse later that night, the city sprawling beneath her like a sea of glittering lights. The air was cool against her skin, but she barely felt it.

She was too deep in thought.

She had been given a second chance. But if she was going to change things, she needed a plan.

And the first step?

Understanding why Cypher had betrayed her.

She knew it wasn’t simple. It wasn’t just that he had chosen his empire over her. There had been something—something she had been blind to before.

This time, she would find out what it was.

And she would use it against him.

---

The next morning, Zafira woke up early, determined to gather as much information as she could. But as she made her way downstairs, she found an unexpected visitor waiting for her in the living room.

Kairo.

He was seated on the couch, a cup of coffee in hand, looking completely at ease in Cypher’s home.

Her stomach tightened.

Cypher was nowhere in sight, which meant he had chosen to wait for her alone.

She forced herself to remain calm as she walked in, tilting her head at him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Kairo took a slow sip of his coffee before setting the cup down on the table beside him. "I was in the area."

She snorted. "You? Just happening to be in the area?"

His lips twitched. "Alright, you got me. I was waiting for you."

Zafira folded her arms. "Why?"

Kairo leaned back, watching her with that same knowing expression that made her uneasy. "Because you’re different."

Her pulse jumped.

She forced a smirk. "You said that yesterday."

"And I still mean it," he murmured, his gaze sharp. "You changed overnight. You’re more cautious. More controlled. That’s not normal."

Zafira’s fingers curled into fists, but she kept her expression neutral. "Maybe I just realized that I’ve been too trusting."

Kairo’s dark eyes studied her. "Or maybe you saw something you weren’t supposed to."

She forced a laugh. "I think you’re overanalyzing, Kairo."

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stood, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps. When he finally stopped, he was close—too close.

Zafira refused to back down.

Kairo lowered his voice. "If you are hiding something, you should be careful. You know how this world works, Zafira. If Cypher thinks you’re playing him, you won’t walk away from it a second time."

Her breath hitched.

A second time.

He didn’t know how true that statement was.

She met his gaze head-on. "I’m not playing anyone."

Kairo didn’t look convinced, but he finally took a step back. "If you say so."

He turned to leave but paused at the doorway. "Just remember—you only get one chance to fool a man like Cypher. If you mess up, there’s no going back."

Zafira watched him go, her heart pounding.

She already knew that.

She had lived it.

And this time, she wouldn’t fail.

---

Later that night, as Zafira was finishing her drink in the penthouse lounge, Cypher finally spoke.

"We have a party to attend tomorrow," he said, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Wear something nice."

She arched a brow. "A party?"

"An important one," he clarified, his silver eyes glinting. "The Valenciagas are hosting."

Her blood ran cold.

The Valenciagas.

Kairo’s family.

She had met them before—back in her past life. They were just as dangerous as Cypher’s empire, if not more. And if they were hosting this event, it meant that powerful figures from all over the underworld would be there.

Which meant she needed to be very careful.

But she also knew one thing for certain.

If the Valenciagas were involved, then something important was going to happen at that party.

Something that could give her the answers she desperately needed.

Zafira smiled, hiding the storm brewing inside her. "I’ll be ready."

Cypher studied her for a long moment before nodding.

She took another sip of her drink, her mind already working through possibilities.

Tomorrow night, she would be surrounded by the most dangerous people in this world.

But if she played her cards right…

She might just uncover the truth that would bring Cypher to his knees.

TO BE CONTINUED...