Chapter Two

It's heartbreaking to think about what happened. I never imagined I'd end up in this situation. Losing my virginity to a random guy in a hotel room just days before my wedding with my fiancé... it feels like a nightmare. 

As I wake up, naked and clutching onto a heavy woolen duvet, I see a muscular stranger peacefully sleeping beside me. Tears stream down my face as the harsh reality sinks in. I close my eyes, hoping against hope that this is all just a terrible dream. But when I open my eyes again, the white walls of the hotel room remind me that it's all too real. 

I can't bear to look at the man lying next to me, afraid that it will only reopen the wounds. But as he stirs, it brings me back to the present. I quickly get dressed, stumbling out of the room, my appearance disheveled and unkempt. Slamming the door shut, I refuse to take one last glance at the man with whom I had a scandalous encounter with last night.

I rushed out of the foyer, my heart pounding with anticipation, as I made my way toward the vibrant party hallway. The adrenaline coursing through my veins couldn't overshadow the nagging worry about my best friend, Layla. Where could she possibly be?

Memories of the previous night flooded my mind. Layla and I had come here together before everything spiraled into chaos. Was she still here, searching for me amidst the chaos, or had she retreated to the safety of her own home? The thought of her wandering alone through the night sent a shiver down my spine.

No, Layla couldn't leave without me. Determination fueled my actions as I swiftly pulled out my phone, ready to dial her number and bring her back to my side. But just as I was about to press the call button, a sudden movement caught my eye.

Two figures walked inside the foyer, drawing my attention like a moth to a flame. One was unmistakably Olivia Harlow, dressed in a provocative black gown that left little to the imagination. The other figure, standing beside her, made my heart skip a beat. It was Layla, my best friend, her hand intertwined with Olivia's as if they were the closest of friends in the whole of the universe.

The sight struck me like a lightning bolt, sending shockwaves through my entire being. Questions raced through my mind, each one more urgent than the last. Why are they together? What secrets had they been keeping from me? The sense of betrayal mingled with confusion, a whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume me.

I couldn't stand there in stunned silence any longer. I had to confront Layla and Olivia, demand answers, and unravel the tangled web of secrets that had suddenly enveloped my world. With a deep breath, I mustered the courage to approach them.

Confusion swirled within me as I observed their intertwined hands, my gaze piercing through my long lashes. "Layla," I whispered, my voice tinged with bewilderment.

They stopped in front of me almost close leaving a small distance between us, a strange smile danced across Olivia's face as she waved her hands, exclaiming, "Surprise!"

My lips quivered as I mustered the courage to speak, "What's going on?" My eyes darted between the two of them, searching for answers.

This is unlike Olivia, a grumpy demon can never be this happy without a reason. Olivia's sudden change in demeanor is quite unsettling. It's as if a mischievous spark has ignited within her, hidden beneath those long, fluttering lashes. Her eyes twinkle with a sinister gleam, hinting at an ulterior motive lurking beneath her seemingly happy facade. It's unlike her to be so cheerful without a reason. Something wicked must be brewing in her mind.

Olivia chuckled, a smirk playing on her lips. "Don't blame me for your gullibility, Ashley," she sneered, stealing a glance at Layla before turning her attention back to me.

My brow furrowed in confusion. What was she insinuating?

"Did you have a nicee time with that greybeard coffin dodger back there?" Folding her arms against her chest, Olivia's eyes glanced in the direction of the room and then back to me while saying in a serenading voice, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "How was the banging?" She laughed mischievously.

How was the banging?

I murmured while thinking before my eyes widened in shock as Olivia's words hit me like a punch to the gut, and realization washed over me. It all started to make sense. My eyes filled with pain as I turned to Layla, who immediately lowered her head in shame.

Her deception became clear as if they had planned it all along. The girl I trusted more than a friend, the one I had sacrificed so much for, had betrayed our friendship at the hands of my wicked step-sister.

I never had the best relationship with Olivia, but this level of betrayal is beyond words. But why did I hear Mason's voice instead of hers last night?

"Not you, Layla," I whispered, my disappointment and sadness evident in my voice. They both heard me.

But immediately, my heart sank as Olivia's icy stare pierced through me, interrupted by a cutting remark, "No need to blame the poor girl, she did the right thing, my dear half-sister."

Her voice was calm yet detrimental and that alone only caused pain, anger, and betrayal to surge within me, causing my jaw to clench and my emotions to simmer.

"Olivia..."

But before I could utter another word, she silenced me with a dismissive gesture, her finger pressed against her lips, demanding my silence. The weight of her dismissive gesture hushed me, leaving me feeling small and insignificant.

"Don't you dare call my name or act like we had some deep sisterly bond, Ashley," she spat, her words dripping with disdain. "We were merely sisters in name, nothing more."

As her words echoed in my ears, I couldn't help but gulp hard painfully, my gaze slowly drifting away from her. It was true, we had never shared a close relationship, never truly acted like sisters from the day we first laid eyes on each other. But despite it all, I couldn't bring myself to harbor any ill will towards her.

Olivia went too far this time, not only betraying me but also teaming up with my best friend, the very reason I snuck out last night.

"Do you really think I have any liking or desire to be associated with you? I've been silently lurking in the shadows, despising you and everything about you. I just want to smack that pretty face of yours and ruin your so-called good girl reputation!" Her words cut through the air, devoid of any emotion.

Pulling out her phone from her pocket, she flashed it in front of me with a dangerous smirk on her lips. What was she planning this time?

"All the evidence I need to show Dad is right here, buried in this phone," she taunted, pointing at the phone.

My legs turned to jelly as her words sank in. "You can't do that, Olivia," I stammered, my lips trembling.

"Oh, I can, and trust me, I will," she sneered, her smile widening, resembling that of a devil.

"You...!" I tried to scream in wrath, but it came out more like a cry. It hurt, deep inside.

It's devastating to be stabbed in the back by your best friend, someone who meant everything to you!

Feeling betrayed and hurt, I couldn't find the words to speak. She had that video on her phone, and just the thought of it tarnishing my image and jeopardizing my upcoming wedding made my heart sink. I couldn't take any chances. All I could do was let the tears flow. It felt like everything was falling apart.

"Come on, Layla, let's go, girl," I watched as Olivia grabbed Layla's arm, my own best friend.

"I don't want to be seen with this disgusting girl," she sneered, flipping her hair as she stomped away.

I kept staring at them until they disappeared from sight. With a broken heart, I sighed and dragged myself away from the scene.

My heart is pounding, praying that she doesn't leak that video. My wedding with my fiance is now hanging by a thread.