A Timeless Night Sky

Chapter 1Everyone knew me as the unattainable dream girl of all the wealthiest bachelors back in Seacrest.They were all just waiting for me to come back from my studies abroad, pick one of them, and seal the deal with a marriage alliance.But the second my Louboutins touched down at JFK, a barrage of notifications flooded my phone, almost like a running commentary playing out in real life:LOL, this chick thinks those rich dudes are gonna be fawning all over her like before.Newsflash: while she was gone, they all found a replacement, someone who looks a bit like her. And guess what? They're all head over heels for the newbie.Watch this ice queen throw a hissy fit, try to ruin the new girl's life, and then the guys will finally see her true colors and bankrupt her whole family. Serves her right!Then it's happily ever after for the sweet girl and her harem of rich boyfriends! Smutty times ahead!I watched, in real-time, as they each made excuses to ditch my welcome-home party, practically sprinting to get to some other girl.That's when I decided I was done with them. I wouldn't waste my time on those losers.1Thanks to that live commentary, I got a crash course on what had been going on in Seacrest while I was away.Apparently, six months ago, they all met this girl, Brianna Hayes, while she was working as a waitress at some fancy club.Dirt poor, innocent, strong, but with this fragile thing about her, and looking vaguely like me.Instant attraction, apparently.For the past six months, those guys have been tripping over themselves to impress Brianna, just like they used to do with me.They even had a group chat, originally called "Waiting for Sugar Plum's Return," that was now filled with nothing but Brianna talk.I hadn't told any of them I was coming back, so they set up this welcome-home party.I was rocking a killer emerald green dress, watching them walk in one by one, bearing gifts.Seacrest's four most eligible bachelors: all different personalities, but with the same basics: young, handsome, rich.Money really does make people beautiful."Sugar Plum…""Hey there…"All kinds of greetings, way more polite than I remember.The notifications popped up again:They used to be all over Sugar Plum. Now they're acting like she has the plague.They were just saying in the group chat that they don't wanna piss off Brianna, so they gotta keep their distance from Sugar Plum!OMG, this is such a double-standard love story! I'm living for it!At first, I thought those notifications were BS. But seeing their reactions, I started to think this was all for real.2Barely into the party, Preston, the wild one, was glued to his phone.The others started checking their phones too, whispering to each other.Preston looked like he was about to jump out of his skin.Looks like I needed a bathroom break.As soon as I hit the restroom, the notifications started:OMG, Brianna's working the night shift at the club! They're worried she'll run into that creep who tried to hit on her last time! T...