A NEW RESOLVE

Ria woke up slowly, her body was aching as if she'd been hit by a truck. For a moment, her mind was blank, but the sharp pain between her thighs brought her back to reality.

This wasn't her room. Where was she? She jolt up and her hand brushed against something— it was a person!

Someone was in the bed with her. Dread crept over her like frost as she turned her head, inch by inch.

The man lying beside her emitted an irresistible and majestic aura that made people bow their heads when they come close to him, he was not only handsome but his well defined and his sharp features were similar to that of an Adonis

His chest was bare—smooth, toned, rising and falling in calm, even breaths. He had high cheekbones and his tousled dark hair made him look like a sleeping sex appeal

How did she end up in bed with this stranger? she wondered. Last night she— then like torn paper in the wind, her memories flooded back; Nathan’s smooth smile as he handed her the glass of juice, the heat that flooded her veins, her confrontation with Nathan and Kelly. And then, this room— hands on her skin which made her feel jittery, a low voice behind her ear, unfamiliar yet coaxing; mouth pressing softly against her collarbone— the thrusting of hips.

Tears welled up in her eyes. That was her first time and it had been taken by a stranger.

Nathan had betrayed her. She knew Kelly had issues with her but Nathan?

She looked around for her dress and shoes and her eyes landed on the heap on the floor— last night was pretty intense, no doubt about it. She grabbed the dress, her fingers were trembling as she pulled it over her head. Her bra was gone. One of her heels— broken— lay discarded by the chair but she didn't stop. Anger and Panic churned in her chest, she had to leave the room before the man on the bed woke up.

As she crept towards the door, barely breathing and her hand reached for the handle, it turned with a slight twist and the door opened. She ran out quickly as the door closed behind her with a soft click.

Inside the room, the man on the bed opened his eyes. He had been awake since the time Ria woke up.

Alex blinked once. His movements was slow and deliberate. He reached out for his phone on the nightstand.

"Find out everything about the woman who just left my room— Now."

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The taxi dropped Ria in front of the Hartley estate. She glanced down at her gown— it wasn't hard to guess what had happened to her, clutching her shoes in her hand, she took a deep breath and walked inside. Her head was down as she walked through the familiar driveway and reached the entrance.

The door opened before she could open it.

Her mom stood at the doorway, with her eyes narrowed in disgust. “Ria,” she snapped. “Where have you been all night? Why are you just coming back now?

Behind her, Kelly stood in the hallway, wrapped in her nightwear, she looked like she had just woken up but her lips were curled up with a cunning smile.

“I…” Ria’s voice cracked. “Something happened. I—Nathan—Kelly was there at the party. They drugged me, I didn’t—”

“Stop.” Her father’s voice boomed from the sitting room. “Not another word, Ria, why are you always blaming your sister for the mistake."

Her heart clenched as he appeared in the doorway with his arms crossed. His eyes roamed over her from head to toe like he was assessing her.

“You’ve brought shame to this family,” he continued. “You went out for an important occasion and you are coming back in this state? Have you no dignity?”

Ria’s breath hitched. “It wasn't my fault,. I swear. I was drugged. I woke up in a stranger’s bed—”

Her mom recoiled. “God, do you hear yourself? A stranger’s bed? Have you no respect for our family's reputation?

Kelly stepped forward, her voice was sweet and calm “Maybe we should hear her out. Maybe it’s not as bad as it sounds. Ria does… act out sometimes but she would never do anything that would hurt our family's reputation"

Ria turned to her, her eyes filled with anger. "You bitch! you did this to me and you are trying to play innocent"

Kelly lowered her eyes. “I… I didn't do anything. Nathan said you weren’t feeling well. He told me you wanted to go home. When I came back, I was surprised you weren't home yet. So I called Nathan to see if you were with him, but he said he had called a ride which took you home. So I don't know why..." she trailed off, it sounded as if she was speaking up for Ria but she was only leaving room for suspicion.

“You’re lying!” Ria said with agitation as her eyes narrowed with disbelief. “You planned this with Nathan, you’ve always hated me—”

Her mom snapped.“Enough! How dare you accuse your sister of such things?”

“She’s not my sister!” Ria screamed. “She’s not even your child! I am!" Her parents looked at her, with disappointment written all over their face

Her mom's voice was like ice being poured over her body, “Kelly is more of a daughter to us than you’ll ever be.”

She took a step back, as if the words had struck her physically. She looked at Kelly, who gave her a small, sarcastic smile— which says "I told you so"

“Do you even know," Ria said hoarsely. “At every party, you introduce Kelly as your biological daughter, you make me feel like I’m the outsider?"

“Because you always act like one,” her father said sharply. “You’re always angry, ungrateful. Kelly is kind. She understands family. You—you're a disappointment.”

Her legs gave out but she steadied herself against the wall.

Nathan. Kelly. Her parents. All of them. They had taken everything from her.

Ria lifted her chin slowly, her eyes glistening with tears, “You don’t deserve me,” she said. “You never did.”

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving the house she once called home behind her.

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