When Ember arrived, she notices Dylan and Emir waiting inside the room.
"Happy birthday," she smiled warmly, stepping forward.
Emir returned the smile with a nod. "Thank you, Ember. And congratulations… on officially being together."
"Thank you," Ember replied, her voice gentle.
But after that, an odd silence settled in the room. The atmosphere shifted. It felt thick—heavy, even. Tense.
"What happened?" she asked, glancing between them, her brows pulling together.
Emir hesitated for a moment, then looked directly at her. "Actually, Ember… there's something I need your permission for."
Confused, Ember tilted her head. "Just say it already… what is it this time?"
Emir took a step closer and gently reached for her hand. "Ember… this is the last favor I'll ever ask from you."
Before she could react, Dylan's jealousy sparked. His hand swiftly reached out, removing Ember's hand from Emir's grip. He pulled Ember closer, his arm sliding protectively around her waist. His voice was sharp and possessive.
"Hey—don't touch her. Keep your distance."
Still in Dylan's arms, Ember looked at Emir and sighed. "Can't you just say what you need… without the drama?"
Emir lowered his eyes, then finally spoke. "It's just… we created a video—of all the shoots we've done with you and Dylan. But in that video… your face is visible. I wanted to ask if you'd allow us to play it on the big screen tonight."
For a moment, Ember froze. Her heart pounded. She hadn't expected this. Her face? In front of everyone?
"I… I don't know," she whispered, visibly shaken. "I wasn't ready for this. I… I need a moment."
She turned to Dylan, looking for guidance. His eyes met hers, calm and full of quiet strength.
"If you don't want it shown, I'll stop it right now," he said softly. "I don't want you to feel pressured. Just think about it, and whatever you decide—I'm with you."
Just as Dylan finished speaking, a knock came at the door, and someone called from the hallway.
"Sir, it's time for your entry."
Ember's chest tightened. Time was slipping through her fingers. And this wasn't just about her face being on screen—it was about Dylan, Emir, their future careers… and how much they'd trusted her.
She took a breath, then nodded.
"Okay… you can show it."
Emir's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Ember." He turned to leave, quickly heading toward the exit. "I'll be waiting downstairs. Don't take too long," he added before disappearing through the door.
Dylan glanced down at Ember, his arm still wrapped securely around her. She didn't say anything—but the look in her eyes told him everything.
She was scared… but brave enough to face it anyway.
Now it was just Ember and Dylan in the room. She glanced at him, while making some distance. noticing that he was already watching her with those warm, tender eyes. Ember smiled softly and asked, "Aren't we going?"
But instead of answering, Dylan stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, holding her close. His voice was low, full of gratitude.
"You're doing this for our sake, right? Thank you so much, baby."
Ember wrapped her arms around him tightly, resting her head against his chest. "If I can't do at least this much for my boyfriend's future… how could I call myself a good girlfriend?" She chuckled gently.
"Yeah… right," Dylan murmured with a grin as he loosened his embrace, just enough to see her face. Their eyes locked, intense and full of emotion. He gently tilted Ember's chin up and leaned in toward her lips. Ember closed her eyes slowly, her heart fluttering as he drew closer.
He kissed her—soft at first, then deeper, more desperate, as if pouring all his emotions into that one moment. One hand pulled her even closer, while the other wandered up her neck. His fingers paused as they brushed over something unfamiliar—a bump.
He pulled back, and Ember stood dazed, still lost in the feeling of his kiss. Dylan gently moved her hair aside and stared. His fingers grazed the edge of a small bandage on her neck.
"A band-aid?" he whispered, his brows furrowed.
Ember blinked, realizing where his eyes were. "Oh…" she mumbled, her hand instinctively touching the spot.
Dylan's concerned gaze didn't leave her. Ember, trying to lighten the mood, smirked playfully. "Actually… it's your fault."
His expression shifted to panic. "My fault?" he repeated quickly.
"Yes," she said, dragging out the word with a teasing pause.
Dylan's eyes narrowed, serious and a bit tense now.
Ember giggled and decided to save him from further torment. "You gave me a hickey… and even makeup couldn't cover it. Luckily, a girl named Leora had a band-aid and helped me out."
Dylan let out a heavy sigh, visibly relieved. Ember laughed softly and reached for his hand. "Let's go."
They started toward the door, but just as they reached it, Ember suddenly stopped. Her body stiffened—like her legs refused to move. Her breath hitched in her throat.
Dylan noticed right away. He turned to her, his voice gentle. "It's okay… if you want to stay here."
She looked up at him, uncertain. "Is it really okay?"
"Yeah. You can watch what's happening downstairs from the TV here."
Ember bit her lip, conflicted. "I'm sorry, but I really—"
Dylan cut her off with a kiss on her forehead. "It's okay. You already showed more courage than I could've asked for when you said yes to Emir. Thank you for that. Just stay here and rest. I'll come back after the press conference, alright?"
He gave her one last smile, warm and full of affection, before turning toward the door. Ember watched him leave, her heart thudding with a strange mix of guilt and comfort. As the door closed behind him, she leaned against it… and finally allowed herself a breath of calm.
Ember knew the decision she had made was the right one—but still, a small unease lingered in her chest like a whisper she couldn't quite ignore. She reached for a glass of water, sipping it slowly in hopes that it would calm the flutter in her heart. The cool liquid slid down her throat, but it did little to ease the storm inside her.
Trying to distract herself, Ember turned on the television. Dylan had mentioned she could watch the live event from there, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn't figure out how to access it. Her fingers fumbled with the remote, frustration building as each attempt failed. Eventually, exhausted and disheartened, she let herself sink into the soft cushions of the sofa. Her limbs sprawled lazily, her eyes closing for a brief moment of escape.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Startled but curious, Ember stood up and walked to the door. On the other side stood a young woman dressed in the hotel uniform, her smile gentle and welcoming. Ember opened the door slowly.
"I'm here to deliver your food, Miss," the girl said kindly. "You can order anything else you'd like from this menu, and I'll bring it to you. Oh—and if you want to watch the live show from the banquet hall, I can help you set it up."
Ember smiled softly, appreciating the kindness in the girl's voice. "Sure... and this much food is fine. But... could I have a soft drink instead of juice?" she asked, her voice gentle yet hopeful.
"Okay," the girl nodded with a warm smile before heading toward the television to help with the setup. Once she was done, she quietly left the room, only to return moments later with a chilled soft drink for Ember.
Alone once more, Ember let her gaze drift toward the screen as it flickered to life. But her thoughts wandered elsewhere… back to Dylan, back to the choice she'd made—and the ache that came with it. The room was quiet, but her heart was anything but.
While Ember sat quietly in her room, lost in thought and flickering lights from the television, on the other side of the grand hotel.
Emir and Dylan had just arrived at the event, the soft hum of music and clinking glasses filling the air. Dylan quietly returned to his seat, the weight of something unsaid heavy on his shoulders. Moments later, Adrien leaned closer, his brows furrowed in concern.
"Did you see Ember? She went to the bathroom… but it's been quite a while now," he asked, his voice laced with worry.
Dylan glanced away, exhaling slowly before answering, "Actually… she's not joining the party anymore."
Adrien blinked, caught off guard. "Why?" he asked, unable to hide the surprise in his tone.
Dylan met his gaze, his eyes shadowed with something deeper—something unreadable. "She doesn't want to."
Adrien leaned back, unsettled. A knot formed in his chest as his thoughts spiraled back to the last conversation he'd had with Ember. It hadn't ended well—the words, the silences, they hadn't felt right. Was she avoiding me? he wondered, guilt creeping into his mind. But then another thought pushed through the doubt—No… Ember isn't the kind of girl who would miss something this important just because of that.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the grand hotel, Ember lay lazily on the sofa, nibbling on a piece of her favorite sweet. The soft hum of the television played in the background, but her mind drifted elsewhere—until her phone buzzed beside her.
She glanced at the screen, and a small smile tugged at her lips. It was a message from Dylan.
"Hey baby, I sent some of your favorite food and sweets. Enjoy. But… I miss you so much, I think my red wine tastes bitter without you."
A soft chuckle escaped Ember's lips as warmth bloomed in her chest. She typed quickly, her heart fluttering.
"Then finish it fast and come back to me. I miss you too."
Almost instantly, his reply appeared.
"I don't want to be here. I'm coming to you."
Ember's eyes widened slightly, her fingers flying across the screen.
"You don't have to… be a good boy and stay until the end."
Their little exchange ended with a heart emoji that made her cheeks flush with a quiet joy.
Still smiling, Ember turned her attention to the screen now showing the banquet hall—people laughing, lights glowing like stars. But even with all that glamor, all she could think about… was him.
The program began with a wave of anticipation as the lights dimmed and soft music filled the grand banquet hall. All eyes turned toward the entrance just as Emir stepped onto the stage, dressed in a sleek black suit that reflected the elegance of the event. Applause echoed through the room as he took the microphone, a smile playing on his lips.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Emir began, his voice calm but filled with emotion. "First of all, thank you all for being here tonight. This evening is incredibly special to me—not only because it marks the official celebration of my directorial debut, but also because I get to share it with the people who have believed in me from the very beginning. This journey wasn't easy, but it was worth every moment. And tonight, I'm proud to present the first look at my film—a dream turned into reality."
The crowd clapped, and Emir took a breath before continuing. "Now, let me introduce someone very important—my best friend, and the leading man of my film. Please welcome Dylan."
Cheers filled the hall as Dylan made his way up to the stage, confidence in his stride, but a flicker of emotion in his eyes as he approached the podium. He took the mic with a half-smile, scanning the crowd.
"Hey, everyone. I don't think I need much of an introduction, but just in case—my name is Dylan. I'm a model and actor from Country C, and yes, I'm the main lead in my best friend's first film." He chuckled softly. "To be honest, when Emir first told me about it, I thought he was joking. So, I casually said, 'Sure.' And the next thing I know, he shows up with a full script and a contract. But truth be told, the story was too good to say no to."
His voice softened slightly as he glanced toward Emir. "I'm really proud of him. To see him find something he truly loves… something that lights him up… it's inspiring. So, I'm sending all my best wishes to you, Emir. May this be the beginning of something amazing."
The room burst into applause, touched by the sincerity of Dylan's words. Emir returned to the stage, his eyes gleaming.
"And now," he said, "I have to give special thanks to someone else—someone who helped us through the shoot in ways words can't express. She played the role of our female lead, and her dedication, grace, and spirit brought our story to life. Thank you, my dear friend."
Emir paused, his voice tender for a moment before turning back to the crowd. "Alright, everyone, I'd love to share something with you all—a few posters and behind-the-scenes videos from the shoot. I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them."
The lights dimmed once more, and the large screen came to life. Images flickered—snapshots of the crew laughing, raw moments from the set, and short clips capturing the intensity of each scene. The audience watched in silence, mesmerized by the magic unfolding before their eyes.
And somewhere, quietly watching from afar… was Ember, her heart full and eyes shining.
As the video played across the giant screen, a series of behind-the-scenes photographs flickered into view—moments frozen in time, full of laughter, raw energy, and beauty. Among them, a particular image caught Adrien's eye.
It was a candid shot of Ember, In a room bathed in gentle white light, Ember stood poised with a grace that was both ethereal and fierce. She wore a striking black velvet dress, dramatically sculpted to embrace her figure yet boldly open at the back, revealing smooth skin that shimmered against the soft lighting. Draped chains cascaded from each shoulder down her exposed back, echoing elegance with every subtle movement. Her hair, styled in an effortlessly intricate bun—borrowed from the timeless charm of a Grecian goddess
But what truly caught the eye—what lingered long after the click of the camera—was the delicate star-shaped tattoo just below her left scapula. Glowing softly, like starlight pressed into skin, it shimmered with a quiet, radiant magic. Neither ink nor illusion, it felt like a piece of Ember's soul brought to the surface. A symbol of her light, her resilience, her mystery—impossible to ignore.
Adrien stared at it in disbelief. His eyes widened as he leaned toward Dylan and whispered, "Did Ember really have this?"
Dylan, catching the intensity in his voice, looked at the screen, then back at Adrien. "Yeah… she has it. I've only seen it few times," he admitted quietly.
Adrien's brows furrowed deeply. "But… Ember told me today that she doesn't have any tattoos. So how can she have one and not know about it?"
The weight of that question settled heavily between them. Dylan's heart pounded faster, a sick feeling creeping in. Adrien's voice dropped, full of quiet urgency. "Everything is matching—the signs, the details. The man from that book… and Ember. Dylan, send me that picture. I need a closer look. I have to determine how much time she has."
The words hit Dylan like a punch to the chest. How much time she has. The phrase echoed in his mind like a curse. Panic flared in his chest, and without a second thought, he dragged Adrien away from the hall, away from the crowd, into a quiet corner.
"Explain. Right now. What does that mean? What are you talking about?" Dylan demanded, breath uneven, fear laced into every word.
Adrien hesitated only a moment before speaking. "Ember… she's showing signs of a rare case—just like the man in that book I studied. He was connected to the stars, cursed or blessed by fate, depending on how you see it. The star tattoo appeared on him too, along with a piece of celestial jewelry, just like Ember's earring she wore, It's all lining up, Dylan. Everything. The dreams, the symbols… all connected to that book she also read."
Adrien questioned himself, "Then why is she ignoring it? Why wouldn't she tell us?"
His eyes darkened as he quietly answered his own question, "Maybe... she's protecting someone. Or maybe, it's because of someone she's trying to hold on to."
Dylan swallowed hard, the ache in his chest growing heavier. "What are the facts, Adrien? Tell me everything."
Adrien took a breath, his expression somber as he said, "The truth is… Ember is only going to be here with you for maybe two or three more years at most."
He paused, glancing down before continuing, "But what's strange is… when she told me today, she was completely confident she didn't have a tattoo. She even got angry. I think… she genuinely doesn't know it's there." He exhaled deeply, his voice softer now. "Maybe it's a good thing she didn't come to the party. If she'd seen that photo—if she realized the truth —she would've been in a really difficult place."
Dylan's jaw tensed. "What do you mean by difficult situation?" he asked, his voice low and tight with emotion.
Adrien gave a faint, sad chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "She's in love with you, Dylan. So deeply that she's ignoring everything else—even her own health. She's trying to protect you. She knows something's wrong, but she doesn't want to face it… because if she accepts it, she has to admit she might not have much time left with you." His eyes darkened. "And if that truth hits her too hard, all at once… she could collapse. Just like she did when I tried to make her see that denial isn't protecting either of you. Her tears… they just filled her eyes after that, like her heart couldn't take the weight."
Dylan's breath caught as Adrien's words sank deep into him. "That's why her eyes looked red…" he muttered, guilt twisting inside his chest. "I didn't even ask her about it… you made her cry."
Before Adrien could respond, Dylan's hand shot out, gripping his collar. His knuckles were white with emotion, but then a terrifying realization struck him. Ember was watching. She was watching the live broadcast—right now.
Without a word, Dylan released Adrien and turned on his heel, his heart pounding as he rushed through the corridor. He ran—faster than he thought he could—desperate to get to her. To find her. To hold her before the weight of the truth crushed her completely.
He left Adrien behind, with only the echo of his racing footsteps trailing into the night.