Twisted Fates

Sofia

The party was Noah's . I hadn't planned on going, but Athena had just come back after her long runway show, and she was eager to celebrate her return.

"It'll be fun," Athena said, looping her arm through mine as we climbed the stairs to the lavish rooftop venue. "Besides, I'm not letting you bail on this party. You need a night out."

Ethan followed behind us, his hands shoved into the pockets of his blazer. "I don't know how I got dragged into this," he muttered with a small smirk, though he didn't seem to mind.

The rooftop was buzzing with energy, alive with the glow of string lights and the glittering city skyline. Music pulsed through the air, mingling with laughter and the clink of glasses. It was the kind of party Noah thrived in—chaotic and extravagant.

And there he was.

Noah.

Standing by the bar in a sharp black suit, his collar undone just enough to suggest both effortlessness and control. He held a glass of bourbon in his hand, his dark eyes scanning the room like he owned it.

When he spotted us, his gaze barely flicked to Ethan before settling on me. A smirk curved his lips, and he pushed off the bar with deliberate ease, making his way over.

"Sofia," he said smoothly, his voice warm but laced with that underlying edge he always carried. "And Athena. How lovely." His tone sharpened slightly as his eyes landed on her.

"Noah," Athena replied with a tight smile, her tone equally sharp. "Still trying to play king of the castle, I see."

He raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "And you're still playing court jester. Glad to see some things never change."

I sighed, glancing at Ethan, who looked between the two with growing confusion. "Can you two try not to bite each other's heads off for one night?"

"I'm being perfectly civil," Noah said, feigning innocence as he sipped his drink. "Athena just has a way of bringing out my better nature."

Athena snorted, brushing past him. "Come on, Sofia. Let's get a drink before this one's ego takes over the entire party."

I hesitated, glancing back at Noah, who was already turning his attention elsewhere. Ethan shrugged, following Athena and me to the bar, though his expression remained guarded.

Hours passed, the party a blur of lights, drinks, and music. I'd lost track of Ethan and Athena somewhere in the crowd, but it wasn't unusual. Athena was good at slipping away, and Ethan has noticed some friends at the party and went to go talk to them .

Still, when I checked my phone and saw no texts or calls from either of them, unease settled in my chest. I wandered the party, searching for them.

"Noah," I said when I finally found him lounging on a velvet couch surrounded by people hanging on his every word. "Have you seen Athena or Ethan?"

He looked up at me, his expression unreadable. "Not recently," he said with a shrug, his tone dismissive. "Maybe they found something more interesting to do."

His words were light, but something about the way he said them stung.

I shot him a frustrated look before turning to continue my search, but the party was too crowded, and I couldn't shake the growing knot of anxiety in my stomach.

By the time I gave up and went home, worry gnawed at me. I called Athena again. Straight to voicemail. I texted Ethan. No reply. The unease only grew stronger, but I tried to push it down, telling myself I was overthinking.

Still, the silence from both of them felt deafening.

The next morning, I tried her phone at least a dozen times. Nothing. That's when I remembered Ethan. He'd mentioned grabbing coffee with me today.