HER ROYAL MAFIA

CAMILLA RYDER

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

Of course, 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.

Blame me all you want, but, I had married him despite my father opposing us, that was because I love Liam Ryder. He makes me happy. But... everything about him is starting to feel like something I wasn't used to... That feeling like he's physically with me but his heart is distant...

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

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

He told me about it already. It was supposed to excite me. But it didn’t...

“A card came with it, ma’am,” she added, handing over the silver-wrapped envelope. She was acting all giddy 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 pushed it inside my handbag.

Liam wanted a grand celebration but I convinced him otherwise. Just a quiet night at home, only the two of us, was enough. 

“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 keep myself busy after the dinner. He'll definitely argue about it but I always win.

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

Faith is twenty-two, dark skinned with a kinky virgin hair. She was the only staff that chatted with me comfortably. But she always knew her limits. Like right now.

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

I gave her 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.

I sighed as I grabbed my phone. I’d been feeling off lately: nausea, tired, even strange cravings. So I went to him for a test yesterday. I bet he 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. My eyes widened.

"Two weeks pregnant?" I read it out. Almost like saying it out aloud would make it sound realistic.

I stared again for another second. My hands were already covering my mouth in excitement. The reality just sank in.

I’m pregnant.

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

Despite the recent changes with Liam, I was sure this child would change everything.

I stepped out of the car, my heart raced with joy and nervous hope mixed together. 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.

My eyes went to the wall, "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US." Was displayed in bold letters.

A smile broke through my nervousness. Just minutes ago, I felt empty. And now… it felt like something filled up the space in my heart... 

I followed a delicate trail of rose petals up the staircase, he even used my favorite flowers. He remembered, I smiled to myself. Was I the one overthinking things?

As I neared our bedroom, my feet froze.

I heard a laugh.

A very familiar one... I didn't want to believe it for a second.

But I wouldn't lie about my heart skipping a beat. It couldn't be Karen... No… that couldn’t be right. Why was she here again?...

I just hoped Liam doesn't stop me from chasing her out today. She tried it before. Waltzing inside my house like she owned it and the next? She was in my bedroom. Not this time.

I've barely taken a step, 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 steps slowed down.

 You know that feeling, when you stumble on something that feels so impossible to be true even when you couldn't have mistaken the prove before you. Yeah, that described how I was feeling.

Then Karen's sweet and seductive voice echoed.

“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 began to spun around me. No. No. I had to be imagining things... That was the lie I told myself until...

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... My damn 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. My stepsister. That filthy wench! Big a** witch!

I swallowed the sob rising in my throat. I refused to cry. Not until after I beat heaven and earth from her.

I wanted to pull the door, 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.

I didn't wait to hear more of 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 fury as I stared at Liam, God knows, 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...

At first, 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.

“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 trying to take in the shock of me barging in. A second was all it took, a smirk crept slowly on his face, 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.

I shut my eyes tight. My fist tightened too. This was a nightmare I needed to wake up from.

When I opened them, Karen was already behind Liam... That was it... This wasn't a damn dream.

"That wh*r* is my d*mn 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.    

Like she was tempting my patience, she 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 heart softened. “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...

A spark flared up in me, 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.

But I was more crazier, 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.

That idiot, Liam, does not stand a chance to stop me.

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

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. The madness running wild in me already disappeared.

"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. As calm as ever.

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