Chapter 1: The Betrayal

For once, Celine hoped tonight wouldn’t end in awkward glances or stony silence.

Just then, a smartly dressed waiter approached their table, holding a glass of red wine delicately on a silver tray.

“This is from Mrs. Brooks,” he said, pointing toward the centre table where Evelyn sat regally, surrounded by high-society guests.

Celine followed the direction with her eyes.

Evelyn – her mother-in-law, elegant in her wine-coloured gown, was looking directly at her. For the first time since she married into the Brooks family, she smiled at Celine.

………………………………………….

Celine was seated at the corner of the elegant hall, laughing softly as Barbra Scotts, her best friend, whispered something hilarious in her ear.

It was a rare moment of ease on a night she hadn’t been sure about attending.

The occasion was her mother-in-law’s birthday celebration—Evelyn Brooks.

They had decided to celebrate it in a grand style, booking one of the most luxurious hotels in town.

Celine froze for a second, unsure of how to react. The smile from Evelyn felt strange. Calculated.

But still… it was a smile.

She stretched her hand slowly and collected the glass. “Thank you,” she muttered, her expression trying to mirror the warmth that her heart didn’t feel.

As the waiter walked away, Celine leaned in toward Barbra. “That was from her.”

Barbra raised her brow, curious. “Evelyn?”

Celine nodded slowly, the glass still untouched. “She smiled at me.”

Barbra’s lips curled. “Maybe she’s finally coming around. I mean… it’s been what, three years? Maybe she’s tired of fighting you.”

Celine scoffed under her breath. “Or tired of pretending not to hate me in public.”

“Come on, Celine,” Barbra nudged her gently. “Let her try. This could be her way of showing she’s ready to make peace. You can’t keep rejecting her effort.”

Celine looked down at the wine again.

Maybe her friend was right. Maybe this was the beginning of something new. Maybe, just maybe, the old woman was finally starting to accept her.

She took a sip.

Evelyn never liked Celine from the beginning. From the very first day Adam brought her home, Evelyn had made it clear she didn’t approve. She had imagined someone more polished, someone with an elite background, someone who wasn’t Celine.

She tried everything to discourage the relationship, even going as far as arranging an introduction between Adam and a family friend’s daughter. But Adam had been stubborn. He loved Celine and married her anyway.

Evelyn never forgave him for it. And she never truly accepted Celine, not in her home, not in her family, and definitely not in her heart.

The party went on as music played and guests danced. But Celine’s mind began to drift, her vision blurring.

She tried to hold on, but her body weakened. Her breath became heavy. Barbra watched as Celine slowly stood and stumbled towards the hallway.

Mid-way to the hallway, her steps seized, and darkness took over.

**************************

Celine’s eyes fluttered open to unfamiliar shadows.

The room was dim. Cold.

Her head pounded like someone had struck it repeatedly. She sat up slowly, blinking, trying to adjust her eyes.

Where am I?

Panic seized her chest.

She was lying on a strange bed. The sheets were rough against her skin. Her dress felt disheveled, her shoes missing.

The last thing she remembered was sipping wine and laughing with Barbra.

Beside her, was a thick brown envelop. She took it but threw it back on the bed.

She just needed to know why she was here, in a stranger’s room.

Before she could process anything further, the door creaked open.

A man stood there, barely dressed in shorts and a singlet. He froze at the sight of her.

“What the hell?” he barked. “Who are you? What are you doing in my room?!”

Celine’s heart raced. “I—I don’t know. I swear I don’t know how I got here—”

“You think this is a joke? You break into someone’s room and—”

“I didn’t break in!” Celine tried to sit up, pain slicing through her head. “Please, I don’t even know you. I swear I don’t!”

He stormed closer, anger radiating off him. “What is this, huh? One of those setups? You girls show up in strange rooms looking for who to sleep with for money?”

Celine gasped. “What?! No! I’m not—!”

As he reached out to grab her and throw her out, something shifted in his gaze. Her breasts, the way her dress had slipped slightly from the shoulder… his anger gave way to something darker.

His shorts grew tight. He could feel his rod in between his legs growing longer and thicker.

Without warning, he yanked off his singlet and moved toward her, eyes scanning every inch of her. “You’re already here. Why pretend?”

“Wait—stop, please—”

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her up, her chest pressed to his. Celine struggled.

“No! Let me go!”

But he was stronger. His lips crushed into hers without warning, and she let out a muffled scream.

The door burst open.

Adam walked in.

Celine’s eyes widened. “Adam—!”

Adam stood there like a stone, taking in the scene.

The half-naked man.

His wife in disarray.

Her desperate eyes.

“What… what is this?” Adam’s voice was cold. Like ice.

Celine pushed the man away and staggered forward. “Adam, I don’t know how I got here. I swear—”

Just then, Evelyn entered behind him, clutching her bag. She looked around and gave a slight smirk.

“I told you,” Evelyn said calmly. “She’s been nothing but a disgrace. And you still didn’t believe me.”

Adam’s jaw clenched. Celine reached out to him.

“Please believe me. I was drugged. I swear—”

Barbra ran in moments later, out of breath. “Celine! Oh God, what’s happening here?”

Celine turned to her best friend, begging her with her eyes. “Barbra, you know me. I didn’t plan any of this.”

Barbra froze. “I—I don’t know. I left you at the party.”

Evelyn gave Barbra a hard look. “Didn’t you say she went out for air? Look at her now. Is this what you call fresh air?”

Celine felt the ground shift beneath her. Everything was crashing.

Evelyn glanced at the brown envelop by the side of the bed. “Now what’s this?” She asked, picking it up and then froze as she opened it.

“What is it, mum?” Adam asked, confused.

Evelyn handed it to him. “I think you should see for yourself the kind of wife you insist on keeping.”

Adam glanced through them, fury building in his chest.

“So this is how you repay me, Celine? Sneaking behind my back, sleeping with strangers, and trying to mess with my family’s business?”

“No! That’s not what happened!”

But Adam turned away from her.

Evelyn stepped closer, her voice colder now. “We have enough to put you away for good. For embezzlement. For conspiracy. You thought you were smart.”

The door opened once more. Two police officers entered quietly.

Celine’s lips quivered. “Adam… do something…”

But he didn’t move.

One officer stepped forward. “Celine Brooks, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit fraud and embezzlement.”