A voice broke through the quiet behind her.
"You care about Elara that much?"
Selina stiffened and turned.
A man stood near the balcony entrance, one hand tucked casually into the pocket of his dark suit. He looked familiar—sharp features, calm eyes, the kind of confidence that didn't need attention to be noticed.
Adrian Chase.
The heir to Chase International Hotels.
The Vale family's biggest competitor.
Selina quickly straightened. "You shouldn't be out here. This is a private event."
Adrian gave a faint smile. "And yet your family invited half the city."
She frowned but said nothing.
For a moment, the sounds of the party drifted between them—the music, the laughter, another round of applause from inside.
Adrian's gaze moved toward the ballroom windows where Elara stood surrounded by admirers.
"I saw the presentation last week," he said quietly. "The market analysis, the redevelopment proposal, the financial projections... impressive work."
Selina's breath caught.
"Elara delivered it well," she replied carefully.
"But she didn't make it."
The words landed softly, but they hit harder than they should have.
Selina looked away toward the city lights. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"I know enough." Adrian stepped closer to the railing beside her. "I also know you stayed back after the investor meeting correcting files while everyone else celebrated."
Her chest tightened.
No one had noticed that night.
No one except him.
"You worked hard," Adrian continued. "And somehow you're still standing here pretending you don't deserve any credit."
Selina let out a quiet laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Credit was never the point."
"No," he said. "Elara was."
Silence settled between them.
Inside, someone called Elara's name again, followed by cheers.
Selina closed her eyes briefly before speaking. "She's my sister."
"And you love her."
It wasn't a question.
Selina nodded once.
Adrian studied her carefully, something unreadable flickering behind his expression.
"Then let me ask you something," he said softly. "If the truth ever came out... if people found out whose work actually built her success... would you want them to know?"
Selina's heart stumbled.
For years, a small hidden part of her had wished for exactly that—for someone to finally see her.
But the thought of Elara losing everything because of her?
She couldn't bear it.
"No," Selina whispered firmly. "Please don't reveal it."
Adrian's eyes held hers for a long moment.
Then, surprisingly, he nodded.
"Your secret's safe with me."
For the first time that night, Selina felt truly seen.
And somehow, that frightened her more than being invisible ever had.