1: Betrayed

Dana

I felt queasy almost the entire trip back home. My assistant drove me home so I could rest.

"Miss Dana," my assistant said. She looked at me through the rearview mirror of the car.

"Yes?" I replied.

"I don't mean to be intrusive, but have you had your period?"

The question took aback me.

"Excuse me?"

"You missed your medical check-up, miss. You had an appointment with the doctor three weeks ago. And you haven't attended. You've been feeling unwell almost every day for weeks."

My heart began to beat rapidly. I hadn't even noticed.

My menstrual cycle wasn't regular, so I never worried about it. But with my assistant's words, something stirred within me. No, my period hadn't arrived yet, and it should have by now.

I didn't reply and looked away.

He parked at home, and I got out of the car, feeling too dizzy. I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. My assistant left, and I walked towards the house.

My husband said he had a meeting with businessmen at another company, but I noticed his car parked outside the house. I didn't see anyone in the living room. I went upstairs to my room.

I needed to rest and buy a pregnancy test. I always wanted to be a mother, but I didn't feel ready to take that big step yet.

I stood halfway up the stairs when I heard a woman's voice upstairs. Also I heard the voice of Demian, my husband. I furrowed my brows. This didn't make sense.

Why would Demian be with a woman upstairs?

I slowly climbed the stairs so they wouldn't hear me. The voices were coming from our bedroom. The first thing that crossed my mind was that Demian was cheating on me with someone else. It was the most logical answer. But it couldn't be possible. He would never do something like that to me. Demian loved me.

Fearfully, I walked towards our room and opened the door abruptly. I was met with another unwelcome surprise as I discovered my husband kissing another woman. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces. I felt like I was living in a nightmare. Three years of marriage. For what? For this?

Demian was surprised to see me, but he remained calm.

The woman had her back turned, so I couldn't see who it was until she turned around. It was Rachel.

My older sister.

I covered my mouth. I felt so disgusted. Tears streamed down my cheeks. My hands trembled, and so did my legs. I begged for this to be a nightmare. My husband cheated on me with my sister!

She and I never had a great sisterly relationship. But I never thought she would be capable of this. Rachel enjoyed the scene. I didn't matter to her. She enjoyed seeing my pain. I looked at Demian. I noticed the top buttons of his shirt were undone. If I hadn't arrived in time, they would have slept together.

"But how is this possible?!" I screamed. The pain in my chest made it hard to breathe.

"It's better if you leave now. So I can talk to Dana," Demian said to Rachel.

"Yes, dear," she smiled.

Dear? Did he call her dear? The damn shameless woman was enjoying what was happening. She did it on purpose.

"No! You're not going anywhere!" I stood in her way. "How could you, Rachel? You're my older sister! He's my husband!"

"I'm your stepsister. We're not blood sisters. I don't owe you respect, Dana. Besides, you're the one who stole Demian from me. You started this game."

But what?

I didn't understand what she said.

Did I steal him from her? Were they together before?

"Let her go, Dana. This matter is between you and me," Demian's tone was neutral.

Tears kept streaming from my eyes. I felt nauseous about what had happened.

Rachel walked past me. I wanted to stop her and hit her for betraying me. I never thought my sister and my husband would betray me like this. What did I do to them?

"Demian? After three years of marriage? Is this how you repay me? I would never have done something like this to you!"

Demian looked at me coldly.

Why was he looking at me as if I had done something wrong?

Everything was starting to make sense. Now I understand why I felt Demian was acting strange a couple of weeks ago. Whenever I asked him, he said it was because he was tired from work. But he started coming home late and leaving early in the mornings. I was a fool. I never doubted him because Demian showed me love, affection, and understanding. But weeks ago, the Demian I knew ceased to exist. I don't think I ever knew him.

He remained silent as if Demian were thinking about what to say to me.

"Speak!" I demanded.

I felt like I was going to pass out at any moment.

"I'm your Luna, Demian! You've betrayed me!"

"And you? You're no saint, Dana! I know what you did!"

I didn't understand his words.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't pretend you don't know! You forced your sister not to tell me that her child is mine. Over three years ago, I dated your sister. She was my girlfriend. We were in love. But everything was ruined when you forced her to leave me. Rachel told you she was pregnant, and you threatened her. You forced her to break up with me! The child she has is mine."

I opened my eyes in shock.

Rachel was a liar! I never did that! I didn't even know they were together. Demian never mentioned it to me.

A child? Was my nephew Demian's son?

My head started spinning.

Oh, my God. This couldn't be happening to me.

"I don't know what she told you, but she's lying to you, Demian! You can't trust her! She's a liar."

"Don't talk about her like that!" he defended her. "I'm in love with Rachel. I don't love you, Dana."

I passed out.