His Perfect Ruin

We all sin... but some of us control how others burn for it.

From friends to enemies.
Nadine and Xavier were once glued at the hip as kids-always laughing, always together. Maybe it was easy back then because they didn't know what was waiting for them. Their fathers were fighting for power, and there could only be one king.
Nadine's father won...
But no one ever talked about what it cost.
"You know what makes this easier for me?" Xavier murmured, stepping closer.
"The fact that I know you, Nadine Campbell. I know what you dream of, what you want... and I know every step you'll take."

I stared at the man I once knew, but his eyes were different-those once warm eyes were now cold, empty, a hard grey I barely recognized.
"People change, Xavier. You changed," I told him quietly.
And he wasn't wrong-he did know me, better than anyone.
What used to be a sweet dream was now my worst nightmare, standing inches from me.

"I'm sorry, Xavier. I wish he had done things differently," I whispered.
My words meant nothing-he only tilted his head, watching me with that unreadable gaze.
"You will be sorry," he said, voice low and almost calm.
"And so will your father. It started with him... and it will end with him. But there's a twist for the ending-I'll take everything from him."
His smile twisted into something cruel, and fear crawled through me like ice.