Chapter 1: Cheater

“What the f...”

Ashley bit her tongue before the curse could escape. A sharp gasp caught in her throat as red wine splashed across the front of her silver dress, soaking the fabric before dripping onto the polished marble floor.

“Oh... I'm sorry,” Vivian said with a careless smile, twirling the empty wineglass between her fingers as though she hadn't just ruined Ashley's engagement dress.

Ashley clenched her jaw. “You did that on purpose.”

The words came out through gritted teeth. She could not afford to lose her temper tonight. 

Tonight she was getting engaged to the youngest CEO in the country. Reporters filled the ballroom, cameras flashed from every direction, and the nation's wealthiest investors and shareholders had gathered to celebrate. One outburst would become tomorrow's headline.

“Oh my God!”

“Ma'am, are you alright?”

Several waiters hurried toward her while photographers pushed closer, eager to capture every second of the spectacle.

“At least people won't have to stare at your terrible makeup anymore,” Vivian whispered with a smirk that no one else noticed.

Ashley's chest tightened. “Anna should never have invited you.”

Vivian shrugged. “I'm her best friend. Wherever she goes, I go.”

Vivian grabbed a towel from a passing waiter and pretended to help, rubbing the stain so aggressively that the wine spread across nearly the entire front of Ashley's dress.

“Oh, Ashley, I'm so sorry,” Vivian cried loudly enough for everyone to hear. “I'm so clumsy. I didn't mean for this to happen.”

The performance was flawless.

Everyone around them looked at Vivian with sympathy.

Only Ashley recognized the satisfaction hiding beneath her fake apology.

Her patience snapped.

The crack of her palm against Vivian's cheek echoed through the ballroom.

Silence fell instantly. Every camera turned toward them.

Ashley stared at Vivian's stunned face while flashes exploded around them.

She didn't need the reporters to tell her what tomorrow's news would be.

The fiancée of the country's youngest CEO assaults her step sister's best friend during her own engagement party.

Her stomach twisted.

Without another word, Ashley turned and ran.

Tears blurred her vision as reporters rushed after her, shouting questions while camera shutters clicked relentlessly behind her.

She gathered the skirt of her dress and hurried toward the private elevator reserved exclusively for the Blackwood family.

The engagement ring on her finger sparkled beneath the chandelier as she repeatedly pressed the call button.

The elevator doors finally opened.

She stepped inside and leaned against the mirrored wall, struggling to steady her breathing.

The ride felt endless.

When the doors opened again, she walked into the silent hallway leading to the family's private penthouse suites.

A muffled sob escaped her lips.

She just needed Travis. He would calm her down. He always did.

The hallway was empty except for the soft sound of her heels sinking into the plush carpet.

As she approached Travis's suite, she noticed the bedroom door wasn't completely closed.

Then she heard it.

A woman's breathless moan drifted into the hallway.

Ashley stopped walking. Every muscle in her body locked.

No. It couldn't be.

Maybe Cray had borrowed the room again. He was reckless enough to do something like that.

Clinging desperately to that possibility, she pushed the door open.

The world shattered.

Travis sat on the edge of the bed with Anna, Ashley's step sister, straddling his lap.

His hands gripped her waist while she rocked against him without shame.

Ashley's mind flashed back to a week ago. 

Those same hands had held her. That same body had taken her virginity after eight years of waiting.

Her purse slipped from her numb fingers and hit the floor.

The sound made both of them freeze.

Anna scrambled off him while Travis jumped to his feet, his shirt hanging open.

Anna's lipstick was smeared. Her hair was tangled.

Hot tears slid down Ashley’s face as she stared at the two people she trusted most.

The man she had devoted eight years of her life to.

The stepsister she had loved like her own sister despite her shitty friends like Vivian. 

Neither of them could meet her eyes.

“Ashley...” Travis began. 

“Don't.” Her voice cracked so badly it barely sounded like her own.

Travis dragged a hand through his hair and sighed.

“You're making this bigger than it is.” Travis sounded angry. 

Ashley looked at him in disbelief. “Bigger than it is?”

“You were always busy,” he said, his tone growing defensive, enraged. “You were studying, working, planning this engagement. Every time I wanted you, there was always an excuse.”

Ashley's eyes widened. “So this is my fault?”

“You pushed me away.”

“I pushed you away?” she repeated, laughing bitterly through her tears. “I spent eight years loving you. One week ago I gave you something I had waited my entire life to give to the man I was going to marry.”

Travis folded his arms.

“Ashley, I'm a man. I have needs. Eight years and we've only had sex ones.”

Her face was drained of color. “I gave you my freaking virginity.”

“That doesn't erase eight years,” he replied coldly. “Did you honestly expect me to wait forever?”

Every word felt like another knife sinking into her chest.

Before she could answer, Anna stepped forward.

She wrapped her arms around herself, lowering her gaze as if she were the victim.

“Ashley... Please don't get mad at us. We love each other.”

Ashley looked at her in disgust. 

“It wasn't supposed to happen like this,” Anna whispered, tears filling her eyes. “We never wanted to hurt you.”

Ashley let out a hollow laugh. “You never wanted to hurt me? I just caught my fiancé sleeping with my step sister.”

Anna reached toward her.

Ashley immediately stepped back. “Don't touch me.”

Anna slowly lowered her hand.

As she did, Ashley noticed it lingering protectively over her stomach.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

Her eyes fixed on Anna's hand. “No…”

The room began to spin.

Anna looked at Travis before turning back to Ashley.

Her lips tremble

d as though she hated what she was about to say. Then she quietly placed both hands over her stomach.

“Ashley…” She swallowed hard. “I'm pregnant with Travis’s baby.”