Sylus pov:
The lights shimmered across the sky like falling stars on invisible strings. A million lanterns, a million wishes. And every single one felt like it didn't belong to me.
I've always despised these types of events—too many cameras, too many wanting hands reaching for you, all grinning as if they know you. But tonight wasn't just another public gathering.
Tonight was supposed to solidify everything.
Two wealthy families. One alliance. One engagement.
The autumn air felt crisp, a breath of cold filled with the dryness of fallen leaves and smoke from distant fires. The Autumn Festival in Beijing was at play—the lanterns floated like stars released from the sky, their golden beams of light glimmered brightly upon the crowd.
Liya's hand lingered lightly against the crook of my arm; her silk gown slid slowly as she turned her head to smile at the photographers. Her beauty was the type that demanded a gaze without choosing to speak. She looked perfect, poised, just as my family wanted. She was perfect, poised, just like my family expected. She was my future—the vessel that joined power, wealth, and legacy of the Onychinus and the Yuxin conglomerate.
I smiled for the cameras, nodding as the reporters shouted questions, and flashes snapped around us. I felt the gravity of the evening bear down on me, but I wore it like armor.
"Tonight marks a new beginning," the announcer's booming voice rang through the barkers. "We unite two very great families under the bright lights of the Autumn Festival."
I hardly heard the words.
I was elsewhere.
Liya leaned in, her voice low, careful. "You look tense. Don't let this night get to you."
I looked down at her—her eyes were genuine, concern seeping out from under her practiced grace.
"I'm fine," I said, but my voice didn't even sound convincing.
She gripped my arm. "I know you're not. Talk to me."
I shook my head, and made an effort to chuckle. "Just... the usual. Things."
She looked at me for a long moment, before letting the conversation die.
That's when I saw her.
On the plaza, along the river that was strung with lanterns, there was a silhouette wearing a bright red scarf.
It was her.
Y/N.
My heart stopped.
She seemed smaller and her scarf fell to the sides of her neck and the coat seemed heavy. She held her self too still and too quietly, as if she was holding herself together by invisible threads.
Beside her was a man.
Zayn.
I knew him.
Too well.
He was close; he was calm, but firm. His eyes were on Y/N the entire time. He held his hand lightly at her shoulder- not quite touching, but close enough to claim it.
Y/N had not seemed to mind. She smiled at him softly, a type of smile that wasn't meant for anyone else.
I had no idea how long they were standing like that, but everything was blurry for a second- the festival, the lights, the crowd- it all disappeared.
I could only see her.
And him.
What was past collided with the present.
I wanted to look away, to shove my feelings, but I couldn't.
Liya pulled my arm lightly; she must've noticed my sudden silence. "Sylus?"
"I'm fine," I lied.
I wasn't.
I could see Zayn gently lean nearer, whispering something that caused Y/N to softly giggle. For just a moment, I caught a glimpse of her smile, her eyes sparkling, before she turned unaware of my presence, staring across the river.
I clenched my jaw as the memories flooded back, roasted chestnuts, the stupid stuffed fox I won for her, the night I said I'll propose to her underneath this lantern, her winters being a promise of marriage, because she liked it cold. And here she was, with someone else. Someone not me.
A bitter feeling twisted within me. Was she happy? It was that easy to forget? I wanted to know.
Liya's voice broke the spell, "they're announcing us."
The crowd gathered, quieted for the emcee who made his way to the stage.
The moment was almost here.
I faced the line of guests, stepping forward with Liya on my side.
Camera flashes.
Voices of our family and friends.
The announcer's voice was loud and clear "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating the future Mr. & Mrs. Qin: we have the Onychinus and Yuxin family coming together in marriage!".
Everyone applause of our families surrounded us.
My grin wide and rehearsed, and yet my eyes scanned the crowd.
They landed back on Y/N and Zayn.
They were both pale.
Staring.
Zayn's hand clenched Y/N's elbow a little tighter. I didn't imagine the concern was lost on Zayn.
She swallowed hard with her lips closed tight.
For a brief moment, our eyes locked.
Something flickered behind her eyes.
Regret? Sadness? Fear?
Maybe all three?
I gave Y/N a cold smile.
That's good.
Let her feel regret.
Let her feel the weight of what she had lost.
I walked a little closer to Liya and slipped my arm around her waist. Then I pulled her in for a possessive side hug.
The look on Liya's face was surprised, but she leaned into me.
My smirk was growing and satisfied.
"See that?" I whispered, "I'm moving on. And moving on quickly."
Liya's smile mirrored mine as she whispered, "You look good."
"Better than ever," I said, lowering my voice to give it an edge of dark.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Y/N break her gaze and biting her lip.
Zayn's eyes never looked away from Y/N's face.
They both looked a little rattled.
That was the goal of course.
I wanted to show them I was unbreakable.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Y/N look away, chewing her lip.
Zayn was glued to her face.
They were both confused, unbalanced.
That was part of the plan.
I wanted to show them I was unbreakable.
But the jealousy tore me up inside.
Because deep down, I knew.
I wasn't the one who was moving on.
They were.
And no matter how loud I declared it, no matter how tight I held Liya, Y/N and Zayn haunted me.
I held Liya tight around the waist as we descended the stairs into the festival crowd, each step purposeful. The lanterns swayed above us, casting warmth that felt like a deception. The cameras flashed behind us like a musical score I had lost the time for with every step I took deeper into the quieter part of the plaza—the part of the plaza closer to the river.
Closer to her.
I didn't kid myself otherwise. My strides were intentional. The red scarf she wore even from far away caught my vision before her face, as she always liked red. She said it made the autumn feel warmer.
Zayn stood by her side, upright, stoic, protective—like he was protecting something that was never a thing of his to begin with.
Liya was aware of where my eyes had gone, "Are we going to say hello to your.. friends?"
I shrugged, like it didn't matter. "It'd be rude not to."
She nodded. She knew. We were raised tall in table manners and iceberg water. Never spill your feelings, never show pain.
Then as we got closer Y/N turned slightly, sensing my presence. The look she had on her face— the moment she recognized me— was enough to sink something in my chest. Her guard went down. Not completely, but a bit. That little flicker in her eyes, the pause.
Zayn also noticed. Of course he did. His hand subtly shifted placed to her back, as if adopting a silent claim.
"Zayn," I greeted, keeping my voice even. "Well, look who it is."
"Sylus," he replied, equally as cold.
"You look..." Y/N started, her voice soft, trailing off as her eyes dropped to Liya beside me. Then to her hand. The ring.
I let a smirk pull at the corner of my mouth. "Engaged? Yes. Officially."
Liya gave a small, composed smile. "It all happened so quickly."
"Really?" Zayn murmured, too softly, too intensely.
I felt my jaw tense, but buried it. I was gripping Liya's waist a little tighter—very little.
"Congratulations,s-sylus" Y/N finally said, and her voice was too calm. Too detached. And the way she said my name it felt like I heard it after such a long eternity.
That voice wasn't hers. Not the one I'd remembered from our autumns. This was the version of her that had patched the pieces together. This wasn't her joy, or her anger.
This was distance.
Y/N and I didn't have that.
"And we are happy to announce that. Thank you for sharing this with us," Liya said with warmth. "This festival felt like the perfect time to share the news."
"I'm glad you did," Zayn said, and never once removed his hand from her.
I looked again at that hand.
Then I stepped in closer to Liya, leaning in just enough. I brushed my cheek to her temple. "We have always loved autumn, have we not?" I said loud enough.
Y/N caught my gaze, and locked her eyes on mine. "We did."
Two words. Two quiet daggers.
The silence that followed was anything but peaceful. It was too full. Full of things we didn't say. Full of memories we both held, but on either side of the flame.
She looked... different. Older, sadder. Her eyes had a rim to them I couldn't name, but it pushed on something unpleasant in my chest.
I almost asked.
But then she looked at him.
And the way he looked at her back - like she was made of stars and ruin and something too fragile to touch - was all the air knocked out of me.
I pulled Liya in closer.
I didn't looked at her properly but, The same scarf. But that body... there was something different. She looked fragile, her skin looked paler than I remembered. But she was still, still achingly beautiful.
Zayn stood next to her, too close again. Helping her step forward with careful patience. My fists balled up, even while Liya gently clung to my side.
They were together. She moved slower now, but she let him help her. She leaned on the steadiness of him.
And all I could think was: so she's moved on.
She's moved on while I was breaking inside.
I didn't look at Y/N.
Until the crowd quieted around us.
Then I did.
Her face was unreadable, but her eyes—her eyes were telling stories I didn't want to read.
I felt the weight of it—heavy and bitter, like I sold a piece of my soul to send a message.
Then, because pride can be louder than heartbreak, I made the worst mistake.
As we stepped closer, I turned toward them.
"Zayn. Y/N," I said loud enough to pull them from the crowd.
She straightened her posture, trying to keep a neutral face; her hands were gripping her scarf.
Zayn stepped in front of her without thinking.
I smiled. Coldly.
"You are both invited to the wedding." I said casually. "Since you are all... old friends."
Zayn's brows furrowed. "Sylus—"
"I'll send you the card," I said quickly.
"Email. I can assume you'll check."
Then I turned to Y/N and said with a small grin, "It'd be a shame if you missed it. It's in winter. Your favorite time of year, right?"
Her mouth opened to speak, but nothing came out. Her knuckles were pale against the fur. Zayn reached out to steady her as she stumbled slightly, but she shook him off—attempting to stand taller. Attempting to hide her trembling. But I saw it. I saw every second of it.
Liya gripped my arm tighter, but I moved forward again. "You're so quiet, Y/N," I said, louder. "No warm wishes for me? Or is Zayn speaking for you now?."
Zayn tensed. "Enough."
"Is it?" I cocked my head. "I mean, we go back a long way. School festivals, red scarves...I thought you'd be happier for me."
She averted her gaze.
Cowardly. Maybe just exhausted.
I laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. "Well, I guess people change. But don't worry, you'll get the front row seat for the big day. You're still my best friend."
Zayn stepped fully in front of her now. "You made your point."
"No," I shrugged, "I just thought it was poetic. You two can still come. Watch how it's done correctly."
And, with that last jab hanging in the air like frost, I walked off again.
Pulling Liya along with me, ignoring the way her steps faltered and her eyes flashed with uncertainty.
Because I couldn't bear to face what I had just witnessed:
Her eyes weren't angry.
They were simply... tired.
And they did not hold the same gaze that they used to.
To be continued...