Chapter 001

Everything was perfect—except for the man she was celebrating.

The candles flickered gently, filling the kitchen with a soft glow. The smell of slow-cooked stew filled the air, and the table was set carefully. Alina moved around the room, humming to herself, but her smile didn’t quite seem real.

She had spent hours making the meal, making sure everything was perfect, hoping that tonight, just for once, he would actually show up. It was their third anniversary, and she had hoped tonight might be different.

She paused by the window and glanced at the clock. He had left hours ago after receiving what he claimed was an urgent call from the office. It wasn’t unusual for his work to pull him away at odd times, but today, she had hoped that would change because there had always been one excuse after another. Still, she held on to the hope that he’d come back soon. And when he did, everything would be ready.

Her phone buzzed on the counter. Wiping her hands quickly on a towel, she picked it up and saw his name flash across the screen.

Kelvin

*I can't make it home, but I'll be at the penthouse. Let's celebrate our anniversary there instead. Xoxo.

Her heart lifted instantly. He hadn’t forgotten. He'd just made other plans to surprise her. A wave of happiness washed over her. Maybe tonight would turn out even better than she had hoped.

She was about to reply when a voice broke through the moment.

“There you are“

Alina turned to see her best friend, Lorraine, standing in the doorway with a deep frown on her face.

“I told you this morning we had plans,"

Alina sighed and set her phone down. “Lorraine, today's our third anniversary. You really thought I wouldn't do something for it?“

Lorraine shook her head, her expression tight. “I get that, Lina. But still... you’ve been doing everything alone. Doesn’t that bother you? He left you to plan, cook, clean like it's your duty or something. A real relationship is about teamwork, not you playing housemaid just to keep love alive.”

Alina bit her lip, a little stung by Lorraine’s words, because deep down, she knew they were true. Still, she quickly forced a smile. “Trust me, Kelvin isn’t like that. He’s been good to me. His job is demanding, and I get that. He’s waiting for me at the penthouse now, we’re going to celebrate there instead.”

Lorraine didn't argue further, she just shrugged. “Fine. Do you need help with anything?”

Alina smiled and nodded toward the pots and dishes still waiting to be finished. “ Yes please ”

Together, they moved quickly, working in sync like they always did. It didn’t take long before everything was ready.

Once done, Alina disappeared into the bedroom to change. She slipped into a simple yet elegant dress, added a touch of makeup, and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Tonight was going to be special, she could feel it.

She grabbed one of Kelvin’s car keys from his room, returned to the kitchen, carefully packed the dishes into a basket, and looked at Lorraine. “Alright, let’s go.”

With everything in hand, the two of them left the house and headed to the car.

The drive to the penthouse was quiet. Lorraine glanced at Alina now and then but didn’t say much. Alina, on the other hand, kept her eyes on the road, her mind filled with thoughts of how the night would turn out; how it would be far more special than she had imagined.

She smiled softly to herself. Three years. After everything they’d been through, tonight would be proof that their love was still strong. Sure, the last two anniversaries hadn’t worked out because of Kelvin's hectic schedules, but him making time for this one? It meant the world to her. She couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when she showed up with everything she had prepared.

The car came to a halt minutes later in front of the penthouse. Lorraine glanced at Alina, who was gathering the packed food and fixing her hair one last time in the mirror.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come up?” Alina asked hopefully.

Lorraine shook her head immediately. “Nope. I’ll wait here. You know how I feel about Kelvin. I’d rather not fake a smile tonight. Take your time, I’ll be here.”

Alina let out a small laugh, though deep down she wished Lorraine would come with her. But she didn’t push. “Alright. I won't be long.”

She stepped out of the car, holding the basket of food carefully, and walked toward the building with a light heart. Everything felt so normal, so right. She was excited to finally relax and celebrate their anniversary properly for the first time in three years.

Inside the penthouse, she headed straight to the dining area and placed the basket neatly on the table. She looked around, but the place was quiet.

“Oh, the bedroom,” she remembered, smiling to herself. Smoothing her dress, she walked down the familiar hallway to the master bedroom. Her hand gripped the doorknob, and she pushed the door open with a soft call.

“Ba...by…”

Her voice caught in her throat, and she froze in place. Her eyes widened. The smile vanished from her face as she took in the scene before her.

There, on the bed, two figures were tangled under the duvet. The soft murmur of voices, slow, throaty groans sent a shiver of dread down Alina’s spine.

Before she could fully process what she was seeing, the duvet shifted. The covers slipped down slightly and Kelvin’s face came into view.

Alina felt her breath catch in her throat.

“Let’s continue, alright?” said a voice. A voice far too familiar.

She stepped fully into the room, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. And then she saw her.

Jennifer.

Her own stepsister, lying in bed with Kelvin, both of them completely exposed in every way that mattered.

Alina staggered back a step, her eyes darting between them, disbelief clouding her vision.

“Kelvin?” she choked out, voice trembling. “Jenny?”

Kelvin didn’t even look at her. He stood up, silent and cold, walking past her like she didn’t exist. He went to the wardrobe and casually pulled on a pair of pants, moving like this was just another ordinary night.

Alina’s hands trembled. Her heart broke into pieces she couldn’t gather fast enough.

Then Jennifer’s voice cut through the silence, sharp, smug, and unforgiving.

“Not exactly how you pictured your night, huh?”

Alina’s eyes met her stepsister’s, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. She had imagined this scene in her worst nightmares, but now, standing in the middle of it, it felt far worse than she ever could have dreamed.

She had spent hours preparing a surprise. She had dressed up. She had believed in their love.

And now… this?