Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1)

LAUREN

"Come on, Sylas, I would never hurt your mother, let alone push her down the stairs. I love her. I love you," I said softly, my voice trembling as I tried to reach him, to make him see the truth. But Sylas didn’t move, his expression cold and unyielding.

Suddenly, a sharp slap stung my face, the sound ringing out like a gunshot in the quiet house. My cheek burned as I knelt there, stunned. Sylas had hit me. And Taylor? She just stood there with smug satisfaction. I couldn't believe it. My husband whom I had loved so much had slapped me because of Taylor. It was her fault. She had lied to him. Made him believe that I pushed his mother down the stairs but it wasn't true.

“Are you saying Taylor’s lying? She’s your older sister. Why would she lie about something like this?” Sylas demanded as Taylor busted out crying.

She leaned against him, her head on his shoulder, playing the victim while Sylas comforted her, stroking her hair. They thought they had fooled me, but I wasn’t blind. I knew the truth. The two of them, my husband and my sister were having an affair. The betrayal cut deep but the worst of it all was that they wanted to get rid of me.

“Sign them,” Sylas said, his voice cold as he threw a stack of papers in front of me. Divorce papers. Their final move was to get me out of the way.

But I wasn’t going down without a fight.

“I'm pregnant,” I announced watching as Sylas’s eyes widened in shock. “I'm three weeks pregnant and the baby is yours, Sylas. So, no. I am not going to sign these divorce papers.” I announced.

Taylor stepped forward unable to hold back her act any longer, “You liar, sign them!” She yelled as she stepped forward but Sylas immediately caught her before she could lay her hand on me.

“Don't tell me you believe her?” Taylor asked as she turned to Sylas. “Sylas, it's a lie. A lie to make you stay with her and you cannot fall into it.”

“I was going to tell you the news today. That's why I prepared everything. The Valentine's feast and the decorations, I wanted to tell you that we are going to have a baby.” I said hoping that Sylas would believe me.

But I was wrong.

"How stupid do you think I am? " Sylas asked stepping closer, his eyes blazing with anger.

Before I could react, he grabbed my hand, trying to force me to sign the papers. His grip was iron-strong, and no matter how tightly I clenched my fingers, I couldn’t fight back. With ease, Sylas crushed my resistance, dragging the pen across the page, and binding my name to the divorce papers. When it was done, he shoved me to the ground like I was nothing.

"How could you? After everything I’ve done for you!" I cried, my voice breaking as tears blurred my vision. My heart shattered as I looked at Taylor, who smirked, triumphantly staring at the signed papers in her hands.

"Well, now that it’s official, I don’t see why we should keep her around any longer," Taylor sneered, her tone laced with venom. She reached for the wine bottle she had brought earlier, a sly grin spreading across her face.

My breath caught in my throat as realization struck me. The wine, it was poisoned.

“No,” I whispered as Taylor stepped closer.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I snatched a handful of sand from the shattered flowerpot behind me and hurled it at Taylor. The wine bottle in Taylor's hand fell to the ground and the pieces of glass scattered. One of them flew cutting my face and making me yell in pain. My hands flew up to my face and I could see blood on my hands.

“You bitch, I'll kill you!” Taylor screamed in pain with Sylas by her side.

Taking advantage of the situation, I bolted out of the house. The rain greeted me in icy sheets, drenching me as water splashed beneath my pounding feet. The road stretched ahead, empty, and yet the echo of footsteps behind me sent a shiver down my spine. Taylor was fast, but I refused to look back. Desperation drove me forward until I spotted an open gate. Without hesitation, I darted inside, my breath ragged, and slipped into the house, slamming the door behind me.

The moment I entered, I looked around and my eyes landed on the huge stairs leading upstairs. I had no idea where I was or whose house I was in. All I knew was that I had to survive. Running up the stairs, I quickly entered one of the rooms and locked the door panting heavily. To my surprise, I watched as a man stepped out of the bathroom dressed in nothing but a towel tied around his waist.

I recognized him. He was the new neighbor who had moved into the house down the street. I still didn't know his name yet but he was my only hope right now.

“ Who are you?” The stranger asked as he stared at me.

My eyes were fixed on his body. He was hot and had a good-muscled body. My eyes darted down to where his towel was tied when suddenly, I realized he was standing on his two feet. Wasn't he a cripple?

“ Lauren!” Sylas screamed bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Save me.” I begged as I stared at the man in front of me.

My heart raced with each second.

“Please, you have to help me,” I begged the stranger, my voice trembling. “Don’t let that man find me.”

His eyes locked onto mine, hesitant, as though weighing a decision. Time felt like it was slipping through my fingers as Sylas’s footsteps grew louder, and closer. My chest tightened with each approaching step. If he caught me, there’d be no escape. Taylor would make sure of that.

The doorknob rattled, and panic surged. Without thinking, I darted into the bathroom and quietly shut the door. My pulse thundered in my ears as I pressed my back against the cold tiles, straining to hear what was happening outside.

“Excuse me, who are you?” my neighbor’s calm voice cut through the silence.

“I’m looking for my wife,” Sylas replied smoothly. His voice dripped with false concern. “She’s... unwell. She ran off, and I’m worried for her safety. Your gate was open, so I thought she might be here.”

Unwell? What a disgusting lie.

“I haven’t seen anyone,” my neighbor said evenly. “Your wife isn’t here.”

Sylas hesitated. “I see. Sorry for bothering you.”

The door clicked shut, and I exhaled sharply leaning against the wall. Opening the door, I walked back into the room and saw my neighbor waiting for me. His eyes told me that he didn't believe me.

“Tell me the truth. Now. If not, your husband is not going to be your problem, I am” He threatened making a shiver run through my spine.