Framed Bride, Fierce Lover

The world sparkled around Rosafina Stones,crystal chandeliers showered golden light over laughing socialites, champagne flutes clinked with elegant rhythm, and violins played in the background like whispers of perfection. She stood in the center of it all, poised and radiant in a midnight blue gown that hugged her curves and shimmered as she moved. Her dark auburn hair cascaded over her bare shoulders, and her green eyes flickered with pride.

Tonight, she was the crown jewel of Manhattan's elite,the beloved heiress of the Stones legacy, and newly engaged to the dashing and ambitious Ethan Langston. Her father had passed two years ago, but she had worked tirelessly to uphold his empire, and now, with Ethan by her side, everything seemed to be falling into place.

"Rosie, darling," Zelda cooed, placing a hand on her shoulder. The woman's voice dripped with manufactured sweetness, too polished to be sincere. "The mayor's wife wants a word with you."

Rosafina turned, giving her stepmother a tight smile. Zelda looked perfect, as always,flawless skin, pearls at her throat, and a cocktail dress that screamed power and old money. Yet beneath that poise lay something bitter and cold. Rosafina had learned to smile through it.

"Of course," Rosafina replied graciously, turning to greet the guests. But the moment Zelda disappeared into the crowd, Rosafina exhaled slowly, her fingers clutching her champagne flute just a little too tightly.

"She's unbearable tonight," came a voice beside her.

Rosafina turned and found herself face-to-face with Yvonne, her stepsister. Petite and sharp-featured, Yvonne looked like she'd stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine, but her eyes were hollow.

"Only tonight?" Rosafina muttered under her breath. They both laughed, but the sound didn't quite reach their eyes.

"You think she's going to sabotage your wedding?" Yvonne asked casually, taking a sip of wine.

Rosafina froze. "What?"

Yvonne shrugged. "You know how she is. She never liked Ethan. Or maybe it's you she never liked."

Rosafina opened her mouth to respond, but a sudden flash of silver caught her eye. Across the room, her fiancé Ethan stood with Colette Anderson,Zelda's goddaughter, her supposed family friend. They were too close. Colette's hand lingered on Ethan's chest as she whispered something into his ear, and he... laughed. A laugh he hadn't shared with Rosafina in weeks.

The champagne in her glass suddenly tasted sour.

Colette turned then, locking eyes with Rosafina and offering a slow, smug smile.

Something dark and hollow formed in the pit of Rosafina's stomach. She looked away.

"Rosie!" Ethan appeared at her side moments later, all dazzling smiles and easy charm. He kissed her cheek. "You're the most beautiful woman in the room tonight."

"Thanks," she murmured, barely meeting his eyes. "Having fun with Colette?"

He blinked, and for a moment, guilt flashed in his expression. "She was just telling me about an investment opportunity. Nothing serious."

"Of course." Rosafina smiled, the lie burning her tongue. She had played this game long enough to know how it worked.

But nothing,not even Colette's betrayal,could have prepared her for what came next.

The music faded.

The room dimmed as two uniformed officers pushed through the crowd. Murmurs erupted like wildfire.

"Rosafina Stones?" one of the officers called out.

A hundred eyes turned toward her. She froze.

"Yes?" Her voice trembled, barely audible.

"You're under arrest for embezzlement, fraud, and criminal breach of trust. You have the right to remain silent..."

"What?" she gasped. "No,there's some mistake."

Strong hands gripped her arms as the room exploded into chaos. Photographers flashed their cameras, guests whispered behind gloved hands, and Ethan stood motionless, his face pale.

"Ethan," she choked out, "say something! This isn't real!"

But Ethan didn't move. His jaw clenched. His eyes turned away.

And then she saw it-Colette standing behind him, watching it all with quiet triumph.

The betrayal was complete.

They dragged Rosafina away in front of the media, in front of the world, her name now twisted into scandal. Her heels scraped against marble floors. Her hair was yanked as they pushed her head down and shoved her into the back of a black-and-white squad car. The doors slammed shut, sealing her fate.

Her life-her wealth, her reputation, her love-disintegrated in one cruel, public blow.

The glittering world she had known shattered like crystal.

And she never saw it coming.

Three Months Later

Rosafina stared at her reflection in the cracked mirror of her prison cell. Her once luminous skin was pale. Her eyes no longer shimmered with innocence, but with fire,a cold, unforgiving fire.

Her cellmate coughed in the background, the familiar scent of bleach and rot making her stomach churn. Prison had stripped her of everything: luxury, privacy, pride. But not her mind. Not her memories. And certainly not her will to survive.

She replayed that night a thousand times. The forged documents. The hidden accounts. The false testimony. Everything had been planned.

Zelda had orchestrated the downfall, Colette had delivered the final blow, and Ethan-the man she'd once planned to marry-had watched it happen.

She learned quickly in prison-how to keep her head down, how to fight when needed, how to never trust a friendly face. But mostly, she learned how to wait. How to be patient.

Revenge, after all, was best served cold.

Three Years Later"

The day of her release dawned grey and wet, the rain splattering against the concrete courtyard like tears she no longer shed.

Rosafina emerged from the gates in worn jeans and a simple coat, clutching a small bag of what little she owned. Her once glossy hair was now tied in a messy bun, and a scar marred her left arm-a souvenir from a prison brawl.

She stepped onto the sidewalk and looked around. No one waited. No driver. No family. Not even Yvonne.

She was truly alone.

A black car pulled up then-sleek, ominous, and too expensive for anyone she still knew.

The window rolled down.

"Miss Stones," said a deep, unfamiliar voice. "Your ride."

"I didn't call for one," she replied warily.

"You didn't have to."

Before she could react, the door opened. Two men in black suits stepped out. Not cops. Not friends.

Mafia.

Rosafina's heart raced. "What is this?"

"You've been purchased," one of them said. "Orders from Mr. Dante Galadonors."

She staggered back. "I'm not some thing to be bought."

The man smiled, cold and professional. "Then you should've been more careful with who your stepmother owed money to."

Zelda. Of course.

Rosafina's fists clenched. Her entire life had been auctioned off-her name, her body, her future. Now, she was a debt repaid.

She looked at the car, then at the open street behind her. She could run. But where would she go? Who would protect her?

"Get in," the man said again.

And this time, she did.

Because Rosafina Stones wasn't running anymore.

She was going to survive. No matter who Dante Galadonors was. No matter what he wanted. And when the time was right, she'd burn them all down.