Ch-1: The Betrayal

Miley’s POV:

The wind was howling loudly as I helplessly thrashed my arms and legs in the air, but it was pointless.

Moments later, I crashed into the icy waters.

My stomach lurched, and my heart almost stopped due to the shockingly cold temperature of the water. The last thing I saw before the sea pulled me towards its core, was Archie’s wide eyes bursting with shock.

Was this really the happiest day of my life… the day I had dreamed of for so long?

So how did it turn into a nightmare?

—————

Half an hour ago:

The deck of the luxury yacht was alive with music and laughter. The guests were milling about as the Italian coastline stretched endlessly beyond the deck, waves crashing against the rocks below.

I stood under the twinkling lights, dressed in the gown that was custom-made for me as per Archie's preferences. But I still couldn’t shake the feeling of unease creeping up my spine.

I glanced at my phone, the unanswered messages glaring back at me.

No, I guess I was just allowing my nervousness to mess with my head. Today was going to be perfect! And why wouldn't it be? Archie and I were going to start a new chapter of our lives today.

We would officially become partners in front of everyone we knew.

"Hey! Whoa, don't you look amazing today…!”

Jasmine, a friend from college, was looking at me with smiling eyes, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I forced a smile.

"Thank you, I'm so glad you could come! I really appreciate it."

“Oh come on! How could I miss the engagement of our ideal couple? But Miley, how did you end up hosting the party here? I thought you hated this country."

“Well, that was a long time ago, wasn't it?” I let out a chuckle, adding;

“My likes and dislikes have changed now, but I'm surprised you still remember it.”

At least the last sentence wasn't a lie, but almost everything else I had said was.

I still didn't like this place at all, but Archie had insisted on holding our engagement here. And I had agreed, like always.

Because as long as I had the man I loved by my side, everything would be okay.

I just wasn't feeling very sure of it right now.

"And those guests, they don't seem like your usual crowd. How did you end up inviting them?”

Jasmine spoke up again, and I followed her gaze towards a group of unfamiliar guests standing near the bar. The group was dressed formally, like the rest of the guests, but there was something off about them…

I had no idea why Archie invited them to our private celebration.

They didn’t belong here, or maybe it was just me. Maybe I couldn't get my anxiety under control because Archie was busy somewhere, and I was feeling completely out of place in this godforsaken country!

Before I could answer Jasmine, my phone buzzed.

“Come to room 358, it's urgent.”

I quickly read the message, and gave Jasmine my first genuine smile of the day.

“Archie is calling for me, I should go. You stay here and enjoy the party, okay?”

“Oh, wow! You're gonna leave me here and go to him? Miley, I'm so jealous. You two are so close even after eight years together!”

Jasmine added with a laugh,

“Just like our college days, Archie can’t bear to be apart from you… or your sister, right?”

I ignored the discomfort that jabbed into my chest at her last remark.

Lately, my friends’ comments always left me feeling more uneasy than anything else. That's one of the reasons I preferred to spend more time with Archie.

But even then, our private moments were always interrupted by Emily… my sister.

Well, she wasn't my sister by blood, but she was technically family.

Shortly after my mom passed away, Emily had come into our lives like a lost kitten. She was the daughter of my dad’s old friend, who had also passed away unexpectedly.

That was all it took to melt my heart. Who else could understand the pain of losing a parent better than me?

And from then on, I started treating Emily like my own little sister. She was really timid and frail, so I always included her in our games. I wanted her to feel like she was a part of our family too!

But as Emily grew more comfortable and confident, it was only natural that we drifted apart. We didn't have much in common, and as a result, we had completely different circles of friends.

Except for Archie.

I had seen Archie and Emily playing and laughing together far too many times. Emily needed someone to lean on, and while we could never become as close as real sisters, Archie was the one person she could share everything with.

He was just the type of person who got along with everyone, cared for everyone, without caring for his own comfort.

Like the one time Emily had taken my phone from my room, and when I chased after her to take it back, she tried to run away and accidentally pushed me down the stairs.

I tumbled down the stairs, landing in a heap at the bottom of the staircase, blood pooling around me. I had broken my leg, and before I could process my own pain, Emily came rushing over and burst into tears.

“Oh my God! Daddy! Archie! Someone please help, there is so much blood! Help, is someone here?!”

On hearing her screams, Archie came rushing to her side.

“Archie, Miley fell down! She's so clumsy… I tried to save her but she just fell down! I'm feeling nauseous… there's blood… I don't feel well…”

After shouting at the top of her lungs, she fainted in his arms, too scared of seeing the blood that she herself was responsible for.

Archie was so distressed on her behalf that he carried her to the hospital… leaving me lying there, with my leg still bleeding and covered in bruises.