Under the opulent chandeliers of Hartwell Manor, the engagement gala of Elara Voss and Adrian Hartwell was in full swing. The grand ballroom was filled with the elite of society, all gathered to celebrate the union of two powerful families. Elara, dressed in a breathtaking white gown, moved through the crowd with grace, her smile hiding the turmoil that churned within her.

As she danced with Adrian, she couldn't help but notice the way his eyes seemed to dart around the room, as if he were looking for someone. She tried to push the feeling aside, telling herself that it was just nerves. But when she saw him exchange a knowing glance with her stepsister Selene, a cold sense of dread settled over her.

Later that evening, as the guests began to leave, Elara found herself alone in the ballroom with Adrian and Selene. Before she could ask what was going on, Adrian's phone rang. He answered it, his face paling as he listened to the person on the other end of the line. When he hung up, he turned to Elara, his eyes filled with a coldness she had never seen before.

'It's over, Elara,' he said simply. 'I'm sorry, but I can't marry you.'

Elara stared at him in disbelief. 'What are you talking about?' she asked, her voice shaking. 'We just had our engagement gala! What's changed?'

Adrian didn't answer. Instead, he looked at Selene, who stepped forward and placed a hand on Elara's shoulder. 'It's for the best, Elara,' she said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. 'Adrian and I have been in love for a long time. We just didn't want to hurt you.'

Elara felt as if the ground had been pulled out from under her. She looked from Adrian to Selene, unable to believe what she was hearing. 'How could you do this to me?' she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian shrugged. 'It's business, Elara,' he said. 'You were just a means to an end.'

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Elara standing there alone, her world shattered. Selene followed him, but not before shooting Elara a triumphant look.

Elara didn't know how long she stood there, numb with shock. Eventually, she gathered her strength and made her way out of the ballroom. She needed to get away from Hartwell Manor, away from the betrayal and the pain.

As she stepped outside, she was greeted by a cold, biting wind. She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders and started walking, not caring where she was going. All she knew was that she needed to put as much distance between herself and Hartwell Manor as possible.

She walked for what seemed like hours, her mind reeling. How could Adrian have done this to her? How could he have betrayed her like this? And Selene... she had always known that her stepsister was jealous of her, but she had never thought that she would stoop so low.

Eventually, Elara found herself in a quiet, secluded part of the city. She stopped in front of a small chapel, its doors closed. For a moment, she considered going inside, seeking solace in the arms of God. But then she remembered the look in Adrian's eyes when he had told her it was over. She knew that there was no going back.

With a heavy heart, she turned and walked away from the chapel. As she did, she noticed a figure lurking in the shadows. She tensed, her hand instinctively going to the small knife she carried in her purse. But then the figure stepped forward, and she saw that it was a woman.

The woman was dressed in a long, black cloak, her face hidden by a hood. She approached Elara slowly, her eyes fixed on her. When she was close enough, she reached out and placed a hand on Elara's arm.

'You're in danger, Elara Voss,' she said, her voice low and urgent. 'You need to come with me.'

Elara stared at the woman, unsure whether to trust her. But something in the woman's eyes made her hesitate. She seemed sincere, as if she really wanted to help.

'Who are you?' Elara asked, her voice trembling.

The woman didn't answer. Instead, she pulled back her hood, revealing a face that was both beautiful and terrifying. Her eyes were a deep, penetrating blue, and her skin was as pale as death.

'My name is Lilith,' she said. 'And I'm here to save you.'