The Riverside venue was ablaze with light. Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead while neon beams sliced through the dimmed hall. Champagne corks popped one after another, laughter rising above the pounding bass of the music as waiters weaved through the crowd with silver trays, glasses clinking in celebration.

At the center of it all was Daisy.

She stood surrounded by admirers, a champagne flute in hand, her laughter light and effortless. Every gesture seemed perfectly measured yet completely natural. When someone shouted, “Daisy, say a few words!” the lights dimmed further and a spotlight landed gracefully on her.

Lily sat in the farthest corner of the venue, alone. A glass of beer rested untouched in front of her, condensation sliding slowly down the side and pooling onto the table. She watched quietly as Daisy spoke modestly about her research, her struggles abroad, and how much she had missed “home.” When she said that word, her gaze lingered deliberately on Ethan.

Applause thundered. The music swelled.

“Dance floor!” someone shouted.

The center of the venue transformed instantly into a sea of moving bodies. And just as naturally as breathing, Ethan stepped forward and extended his hand to Daisy. There was no hesitation in him, no indifference—only quiet certainty. Daisy smiled and placed her hand in his.

Lily’s fingers tightened around her glass.

They moved together onto the dance floor as the lights washed them in blue and violet. Daisy spun lightly under Ethan’s arm, her hair swaying as he laughed—an open, bright laugh Lily had never heard directed at her. His hand settled confidently on Daisy’s waist. Daisy tilted her head back, smiling up at him, and they looked perfect, like a scene torn from a romance film.

A memory surfaced uninvited.

Once, Lily had suggested a jazz bar downtown. “We could go on Saturday?” she had asked hopefully.

“I don’t like noisy places,” Ethan had replied without looking up from his laptop.

Another time, she had mentioned a couples’ dance class. “Just once?”

“I’m busy.”

“I don’t enjoy chaotic environments. Don’t force it.”

He didn’t like crowds. He didn’t like dancing. He didn’t like rowdy places.

Yet now he stood beneath flashing lights and pounding music, grinning as if he belonged nowhere else.

Lily lifted her beer and drank. It tasted bitter. She didn’t stop until it was empty. Still not enough. She poured another, then eventually abandoned the glass entirely and drank straight from the bottle. The liquid burned down her throat, heat pooling heavily in her stomach as the dance floor erupted in cheers—Ethan dipping Daisy slightly backward while she clutched his shoulder, laughing breathlessly.

The sight became unbearable.

Lily stood abruptly, her chair scraping harshly against the floor, though no one noticed. The music felt louder, the lights harsher, her head pleasantly light in a dangerous way.

Bathroom. She needed air.

As she turned, her shoulder collided with someone. A sharp gasp followed, and red wine splashed outward in a dramatic arc. Time seemed to slow as the deep crimson liquid bloomed across Lily’s white dress like a spreading wound.

“Oh my!” Daisy’s voice rang out.

Lily blinked. Daisy stood before her holding an empty wine glass.

“I—I’m so sorry!” Daisy cried immediately, grabbing a napkin and dabbing at Lily’s chest. But instead of helping, the stain smeared wider and darker. Gasps rose from nearby guests.

“That dress…”

“Oh no…”

Daisy’s eyes filled with tears almost instantly. “I didn’t mean to! Lily, I didn’t see you turn—”

Ethan appeared within seconds. “What happened?”

“She bumped into me,” someone said vaguely.

Daisy shook her head quickly. “No, no, it’s my fault. I wasn’t careful.” Her shoulders trembled.

Ethan wrapped an arm around her protectively. “It’s fine,” he said gently to Daisy. “You didn’t mean to.” Then he looked at Lily, his expression cooling. “Go clean up. Don’t make this bigger than it is.”

Make it bigger?

Lily hadn’t even spoken.

Daisy sniffled softly against Ethan’s chest. “I’m really sorry…” she whispered.

“It was an accident.”

“Lily, just go wash it.”

Indignation flared in Lily’s chest. She hadn’t accused anyone. Hadn’t raised her voice. Yet somehow she stood there like the aggressor.

She said nothing and turned away, aware of the whispers blooming behind her.

“She looks upset.”

“That attitude…”

“It was clearly accidental.”

Daisy watched her retreat, then gently pulled away from Ethan. “I should apologize again,” she said softly. “She looked hurt.”

“You don’t have to,” he replied.

But Daisy was already walking away.

The bathroom lights were harsh and unforgiving. Lily stared at her reflection, the red stain across her white dress vivid and humiliating. She tried dabbing at it with water and soap, but it only faded slightly.

Useless.

After several minutes she stopped. It didn’t matter. She would leave soon anyway.

Home.

The word felt hollow.

When she stepped into the hallway, the music was muffled, the air cooler and quieter.

“Giving up already?”

Lily froze.

Daisy stood at the far end of the corridor. The tears were gone. The trembling gone. Her expression was calm—almost amused.

She walked forward slowly, heels clicking against marble. “You really think you can compete with me?” she asked softly.

“What do you want?” Lily’s jaw tightened.

“Just reminding you of your position.” Daisy stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Lily, you mean nothing to Ethan.”

Each word landed with precision.

“Do you know why he waited seven years?”

Lily’s heart pounded violently.

“Because I asked him to,” Daisy continued casually. “I told him to wait until I came back. And he did.”

“You’re lying.”

Daisy laughed lightly. “Am I?” She leaned in closer. “No matter how long I make him wait… I’ll always be the one he chooses.”

Rage surged through Lily. “You’re shameless. He’s married.”

Daisy’s eyes flickered. Then she glanced past Lily.

Lily instinctively followed her gaze.

At the far end of the hallway, Ethan and several friends were approaching.

Still distant.

But close enough.

Suddenly Daisy grabbed Lily’s arm—hard.

Before Lily could react, Daisy used Lily’s hand and struck her own cheek.

A sharp crack echoed.

Daisy released her and fell backward onto the marble floor with a dramatic thud. “Ah!” she cried, covering her face. “Lily—please don’t hit me!”

Lily stood frozen.

Footsteps thundered forward.

“Daisy!”

Ethan dropped to her side immediately. “What happened?”

Daisy’s eyes were red again, tears spilling freely. “I—I just wanted to apologize,” she sobbed. “I didn’t expect… she’d be so angry…”

Her cheek was faintly pink.

Ethan rose slowly, his gaze locking onto Lily’s.

Cold.

“Explain,” he demanded.

“I didn’t touch her.” Even to her own ears, the words sounded thin.

Behind him, friends exchanged uneasy glances. Daisy trembled in his arms. “Ethan… don’t blame her,” she whispered brokenly. “It’s my fault.”

His jaw clenched. “Lily,” he said, voice low and furious, “what exactly are you doing?”

Lily looked at him—the distrust in his eyes, the way he held another woman so carefully—and something inside her finally fractured beyond repair.

“I should be asking you that,” she whispered.

The music from the ballroom pulsed faintly in the distance.

But here—

The war had finally begun.