HER ROYAL MAFIA

CAMILLA RYDER

I stared blankly at the wall, exhaling slowly. From the outside, I had it all—wealth, beauty, a picture-perfect life. But inside, I felt empty. My three-year marriage felt more like a cage than a love story.

Sure, there were moments of sweetness and warmth… but ever since I started sensing something off about Liam, the cracks in our perfect world began to split wider.

I had married him despite my father opposing us but I love Liam Ryder. He makes me happy. But... his heart now seems like the stars that are drifting farther and farther...

“Mrs. Ryder?” Faith, my secretary's voice pulled me back to reality. I turned to her, she was wearing her usual magnetic smile but I had no energy to return her a smile.

“You can drop that, Faith,” I murmured, my eyes settling on the sleek package in her hands. Liam’s gift for tonight’s dinner.

It was supposed to excite me. But it didn’t...

“A card came with it, ma’am,” she added, handing over a silver-wrapped envelope. Her eyes sparkled as though the card was meant for her.

I peeled it open and, just as I expected, it was a reminder from Liam "Be home before 8PM. Happy Anniversary."... A sigh escaped my mouth as I slided the card inside my handbag.

He wanted a grand celebration. I convinced him otherwise. A quiet night at home, just the two of us, was enough. After all, our house was more luxurious than any restaurant he could book.

“Please take my bag to the car,” I said, gathering a few documents. I convinced myself they were work I needed to finish, but really, they were my excuse to avoid another tense night with Liam under the same roof.

Faith followed me silently. As I slipped into the driver’s seat, she passed me a small box with a bright smile.

“I hope you enjoy your wedding anniversary, boss.”

I gave a small nod, took the gift without a word, and sped off.

***

The moment I pulled into the parking lot, my phone chimed. A message from Dr. Mark.

A sigh escaped my mouth as I grabbed my phone. I’d been feeling off lately—nausea, tired, strange cravings. So I’d gone in for a test. I bet Doctor Mark figured out I was too busy to come down to his office to get the result so his best shot was to send them through a text.

I unlocked and scanned the message.

"Two weeks pregnant?"

I read it again. Then again just to confirm my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. But no, the words were still there.

I’m pregnant.

Tears welled up as a disbelieving laugh formed in my lips. "Yes, Liam!… we did it!. We’re having a baby."

Despite the distance that had crawled into our marriage, I was sure this child would change everything.

I stepped out of the car, my heart racing in a mix of joy and nervous hope. As I entered the house, the soft fragrance of roses filled my nose. The living room was dim, except for a spotlight casting a soft golden glow across the center.

On the wall, in bold letters "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US."

A smile broke through my shock. Just minutes ago, I felt like a prisoner in this marriage. And now… it felt like maybe things could heal.

I glanced at my wristwatch, it was 7:05 PM.

I followed a delicate trail of rose petals up the staircase—he’d even used my favorite flowers. He remembered, I smiled to myself.

But as I neared our bedroom, I froze.

A laugh.

A Familiar one...

My breath stopped a second. Karen? No… that couldn’t be right. Why would my stepsister be here...in my house? In my room?

And then, Liam’s deep and Intimate voice followed.

“You tasted different tonight, Karen… almost makes me not want to let you go.”

My heart began to pound profusely. My feet glued to the ground.

Then Karen's sweet and seductive voice.

“Ah, Liam. You’re wicked. You won't be saying the same thing when Camilla walks in any minute now. But I won’t lie, I don’t want this to end either.”

The walls spun around me. No. No. I had to be imagining things...

I moved closer, slowly. I peeked through the tiny space between the door, and there they were.

Liam was on top of Karen... In our bed...

“It’s only a matter of time,” he whispered, “just until I divorce that gullible woman. I wouldn’t have married her if you hadn’t talked me into it.”

My ears rang.

That’s what was off all along… it was her. Karen, my stepsister. That filthy wench!

I swallowed the sob rising in my throat. I refused to cry. Not yet.

Just then, between kisses, Karen murmured, “We just need her to keep being gullible until you’re officially CEO of M-Elite Group. Then… we’re done with her.” She clicked her tongue and pulled Liam in for another kiss.

My hand gripped my phone in pain. I was going to share the good news of our baby only to walk into a nightmare.

I completely lost it and like I was possessed, I bursted in, flinging the door opened in fury.

Their heads snapped toward me, horror washed across their faces... My eyes blazed with fire as I stared at Liam, I could honestly forgive him if he said he was seduced by Karen but that wasn't the case...

They were both enjoying their little play-time...

Liam rushed away from the bed half-naked in just his boxers and Karen groped the duvet like her life depended on it, clutching it over her naked body.

And I stood there. My body vibrating with all the anger in the whole world.

“So this was it?” My voice cracked, though I tried to hold it together.

“You never loved me? All you ever wanted was my money?” I blinked hard, hoping he’d deny it or just make up something that made what I just saw feel less real. “Aren’t you even sorry, Liam?”

For a moment, he was still—frozen like a deer caught in headlights. But then, slowly, he scoffed and turned his face away, like my pain bored him.

And when his gaze finally met mine, it wasn’t the man I married standing in front of me, it was a stranger clothed in something cruel.

"Sorry?” he echoed, letting out a low, mocking laugh. “Oh… you mean for screwing my girlfriend?” He dragged his tongue across his lips like he was proud of it.

My heart dropped.

This was a nightmare I needed to wake up from.

"That whore is my damn step-sister, Liam! You know that” I shouted at the top of my lungs as I trembled.

My heart slammed against my chest as Karen let out a scornful laugh behind him.

I could swear I wanted to snap her neck if I could that instant.    

Karen strolled closer to me, snapping her fingers like she was on a fashion runway.

“Let’s get something straight, Camilla. We’re only step-sisters on the family tree not even legally. Your rich, cheating dad disowned me, remember? And kicked me out like trash because I wouldn’t marry one of his wrinkled, moneybag friends in your place.”

My jaw tightened. “That wasn’t my fault, Karen.”

And it wasn’t... I didn’t ask my father to cheat. I didn’t ask him to take her in, and then toss her out when she refused to play along with his schemes. He did that, not me.

“Spare me the pretense,” she sneered. “You got the castle, the crown, all the fame, and now you want sympathy?”

Liam stepped forward, his face hardening like steel. “Let’s cut to the chase, Camilla. I was never yours. I’ve always been hers. You just didn’t want to see it and I played along"

Karen curled her arm around his neck like a snake coiling its prey. “I think it’s time we stop hiding now that you know,” she said as her eyes locked on mine—like she was daring me.

Then—she kissed him... Right in front of me...

Like I wasn't there.

Rage stirred in my heart as I stormed toward her and pulled her away from him with so much force that her body spun midair.

She retaliated instantly, with a striking slap across my cheek that rang through the room like a 50 BMG Rifles.

Without hesitating, I grabbed her by both arms and threw her off to the ground as Liam tried to pull me off, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Let go of me!” I screamed, twisting out of his grip. “You’re not taking my man away from me! Do you hear me, you whore?”

And then— as she geared at me, I threw my fist at her...

Before I knew it, Karen’s back slammed against the glass-paneled wardrobe, shattering it. A sharp gasp tore from her throat as she crumpled to the floor.

A sharp piece of glass extended out from behind her shoulder.

My hands trembled.

"No… no…” I whispered, backing away. “I didn’t… I didn’t push her...”

Liam’s eyes widened in horror as he rushed to her side to check her pulse.

I just stood frozen.

"Is she dead?" those words left my lips.