Chapter 3: The Devastating Truth

“Come on, Sarah. You can’t hide forever.”

Tina’s grip was firm around her wrist, dragging her inside Rozame. A well-known luxurious club.

Sarah tugged her arm back, but Tina wouldn’t relent. “You’ve spent two days locked up. Tonight, you’re going to remember that Jasper isn’t the only man in this city. You need a rebound. Or at least a distraction.”

The word rebound made Sarah realize her heart was still bleeding. Still, she let Tina lead her deeper inside. She wanted to believe in the possibility of forgetting even for a night.

They were greeted by the heavy sound of bass, people cheering and singing along, and couples dancing intimately.

Sarah opened her mouth to protest, but then,

Tina wanted her to cheer up, and she decided to enjoy herself as well.

Maybe, just maybe she would forget about her sorrows.

Tina ordered a drink from the bartender, and Sarah could feel the gaze of the surrounding guys. That made her slightly uncomfortable. She wasn't used to being in such situations.

"Don't you think that guy looks hot? He's been looking at you!" Tina asked on her side.

Sarah turned her face to look, but her gaze moved somewhere else, and she saw him. The one responsible for her nightmares.

It was Jasper.

A private booth at the far end, guarded by thin veiled curtains drawn just wide enough to reveal him. He lounged with a drink in one hand, his expression smug, satisfied, unscarred by the scandal he had created.

And draped across him, her body curved as though she had never left, was Matilda.

Her world tilted. Sarah gripped the back of a chair to steady herself. She inhaled and exhaled deeply as she almost couldn't breathe properly.

That was Matilda.

When did she come back?

Do their parents know about this?

How come no one bothered to inform her?

Matilda is beautiful, and four years later, she was even more luminous, poised, and elegant.

Her hand traced lazy circles over Jasper’s chest, her smile soft as she whispered in his ear, and she giggled out loud.

Jasper, in turn, rubbed his head slightly on a luminous chest, causing her to giggle even louder.

Tina swore under her breath. “ What the hell! "

“Shh.” Sarah’s voice cracked, trembling. “Listen.”

The music was loud, but from their angle, through the sliver in the curtains, words slipped out.

“Do you know,” Matilda purred,“ how delicious it was to leave that sculpture in plain sight? I knew she’d break it eventually. She’s always been clumsy. And when she did. My love, you were magnificent. You deserve more kisses."

She pecked his lips three times, leaving a smacking sound.

Sarah’s body trembled as her eyes widened in shock.

Jasper and Matilda have been so intimate and cozy?

This!! This shouldn't happen between best friends!!

How could her own step-sister do this? 

They had grown up together for years and had lived like sisters. 

How could she??

Sarah's face drained of color as Jasper pressed her on the sofa lightly and kissed Matilda deeply.

How...how could she have been so blind to the extent that she never noticed their intimacy?

Jasper had never kissed her like this. At most, it was a peck on the lips.

Now, he was kissing his so-called best friend and her step-sister wildly and hungrily.

Her fist clenched as her body trembled slightly.

Jasper chuckled, low and dark. “It had to look real. The slap, the outrage… By now, half the city believes she’s unstable. No one would believe you have always been by my side.”

Matilda leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear. “And I, the tragic best friend and stepsister who sacrificed everything, waiting patiently while you suffered with her… Now I get to return, loyal and perfect. The narrative is seamless."

Sarah’s knees weakened. If her heart was bleeding before, now it was being stabbed deeply.

They had been deceiving her all this time.

How could she have been so stupid that she didn't notice any of this?

But why?

What exactly had she done to deserve all of this?

She slowly inhaled and exhaled again, breathing slowly.

All those nights she’d blamed herself. All those whispers online confirm her worst fears. And now....

It was all a play, performed, directed, and scripted by the two people she trusted.

Her vision blurred with rage.

Tina’s hand closed on her arm. “Sarah. Don’t. Let’s go.”

But Sarah had already stepped forward.

The curtains tore apart under her hands, as she strode into the booth. Jasper’s smile faltered, his gaze turned cold and icy.

Matilda’s eyes widened in panic as she threw herself on Jasper.

For one terrible heartbeat, no one spoke.

Then Sarah’s voice, low and shaking, shattered the silence. “So this is the truth.”

"Don't be scared of her," Jasper whispered, gently coaxing Matilda before raising his head.

“Sarah,” he began, rising, his tone already dripping with mockery,“ It’s good that you know. "

He didn’t even bother to deny it.

Sarah didn’t reply. Her gaze landed on the expensive vintage wine resting on the table.

She grabbed it heavily in her trembling hands.

She swung it forward without another ounce of hesitation.

It cracked against Jasper’s head with a thud.

Jasper reeled, clutching his forehead as blood bloomed beneath his fingers.

Matilda had managed to leave Jasper’s embrace and wasn't injured, but her dress was soaked with wine.

She shrieked, scrambling backward. “Are you insane?”

Sarah stood panting, shards of glass glittering at her feet. The nightclub’s music throbbed around them, but in the booth, silence reigned, broken only by Jasper’s groan.

Matilda’s mask slipped, and she couldn't be bothered to play coy again. “ You stupid, pathetic little girl. Do you think anyone will believe you now? They already think you’re unstable, and this..." She pointed at Jasper’s bleeding forehead. “This proves it!”

Sarah laughed out loud instead. Matilda couldn't help but wonder if she had gone crazy.

She looked at Jasper and Matilda and pointed towards Tina, who had been recording the whole incident. "Look carefully, she had recorded everything. If you want to play dirty, I don’t mind. Let's see whose good name will be dragged in the mud."

Matilda looked at Sarah and couldn't help but wonder how she had become so smart.

"Jasper..." She cried softly instead, using a napkin to help him clean the blood on his face.

Jasper raised his head. He wouldn’t believe that Sarah could be so fierce if she hadn't done this.

His icy gaze fell on Tina.

Sarah blocked his view. "Don't even think about anything dirty. Just in case you don't know, it's saving automatically to my cloud. If you play dirty with me. It will be uploaded online. Try me and see."

Jasper's face was even colder and icier. But Sarah didn't bother to look at him. Instead, she left with Tina.