Snow’s Point of View:

I took one last look in the mirror, adjusting the straps of my swimsuit. It was a sleek, simple black one-piece, but it still felt daring. I wasn’t exactly used to showing much skin around others, especially not in front of a crowd that included my brothers’ friends. But I took a deep breath, reminding myself that this was a step forward, a chance to break out of my shell, even if just a little.

When I stepped downstairs and out into the backyard, I immediately felt their eyes on me. I looked around, seeing a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Dimitrios and Zino were lounging by the pool, chatting with some of their friends, but all conversation stopped when I walked up.

Karsten let out a low whistle. “Wow, Snow, didn’t know you’d come down ready to impress,” he teased, grinning.

One of his friends, a guy with dark hair and a mischievous smile, leaned over and whispered, “She’s cute, alright. Can’t believe she’s your sister, Karsten.”

Another called out, “Yeah, Snow, looking good! You’ve got that cool, mysterious vibe going.”

I felt my cheeks heat up, a mix of embarrassment and surprise. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention, and part of me wanted to run back upstairs and change.

But then I noticed the glares my brothers were giving their friends, and the protective looks on their faces made me laugh, easing the tension.

Dimitrios shook his head, smirking. “Alright, alright, let her breathe, guys.”

I walked over to a lounge chair by the pool, deciding to sit down rather than join them in the water. The truth was, I’d never learned how to swim. Growing up with Grandma meant I’d never had the chance, and it wasn’t exactly something I wanted to confess to a group of people I barely knew.

So I sat back, pretending to soak up the sun, hoping no one would notice I wasn’t in the water.

But my attempt to stay unnoticed didn’t last long.

Out of nowhere, one of my brother’s friends, Jackson, appeared beside me, grinning with a playful glint in his eyes.

“Come on, Snow, you can’t just sit there looking cute all day,” he said, leaning over. Before I could protest, he scooped me up, laughter in his voice as he carried me toward the pool.

“Jackson, no!” I shouted, my voice more panicked than I wanted it to be. But he didn’t seem to hear—or maybe he thought I was joking.

And then, before I could react, he threw me into the pool.

The shock of the cold water hit me instantly, and for a split second, everything froze. Panic surged through me, my mind blank with fear as I sank under the surface.

I didn’t know how to move, how to reach for air. My limbs flailed, but I felt myself sinking deeper, my chest tightening with terror. Was this how it would end? Here, in this unfamiliar place, surrounded by people who barely knew me?

Just as I felt the last bit of air slipping from my lungs, I felt a strong arm wrap around me, pulling me upward.

In one swift movement, I was lifted out of the water, gasping as I broke the surface.

I coughed, water spilling from my mouth as I struggled to catch my breath. When I finally managed to focus, I looked up into the face of the man who had saved me.

He was tall and broad, his wet hair slicked back to reveal piercing blue eyes that held an intense, almost electric gaze.

His skin was inked with intricate tattoos, dark designs winding up his arms and across his chest. He looked down at me, his expression a mixture of concern and... something else I couldn’t quite place.

“You alright?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

I nodded, still catching my breath, my heart racing. “I... I think so. Thank you.”

He gave a small nod, helping me back to the edge of the pool. As I climbed out, trembling, I saw the stunned expressions on my brothers’ faces. Dimitrios and Zino rushed over, and Jackson was already apologizing profusely, his face pale as he realized what had happened.

“Oh my god, Snow, I’m so sorry!” Jackson stammered, his voice filled with regret. “I didn’t know you couldn’t swim!”

I managed a shaky smile, trying to put him at ease. “It’s... it’s okay. Just... next time, maybe ask?”

He nodded, looking genuinely sorry, and my brothers quickly gave him a reassuring pat on the back, though I could see the irritation in their eyes.

I turned back to the man who had saved me, unsure of what to say.

“Thank you. Really. I... I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t been there.”

He gave me a slight smile, his eyes lingering on me for a moment. “No need to thank me. Just glad I was close enough to help.” He glanced over his shoulder, nodding to my brothers. “Name’s Kingston, by the way. Kingston Grey.”

I felt a flicker of recognition. I’d heard that name before, whispered around the house in tense conversations. Kingston Grey—the man my father considered a rival. And yet, here he was, rescuing me without a second thought.

“Snow,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. “Snow White.”

Kingston’s lips twitched in a faint smile, his gaze still locked on mine. “I know.”

As he walked away, I felt a strange pull, a quiet spark that lingered long after he disappeared around the corner of the house.

I wasn’t sure what it meant, but one thing was certain: Kingston Grey was more than just my father’s rival. And somehow, I had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time our paths crossed.

"What is he doing here?" I heard Zion mumbled.

But dimitrios was already following him.