Chapter 1

I was supposed to be a bride in five days. walking down the aisle with my childhood friend and my boyfriend for five years. The only man I ever loved all my life.

Instead, I am sitting alone in a dimly lit bar, clutching a glass of vodka like it was the only thing holding me together.

“Who the hell are you to pity me?” I muttered under my breath before downing the drink in one go.

I winced slightly as the alcohol burned its way down my throat, sharp and unforgiving—but it was nothing compared to the pain clawing through my chest.

My fingers trembled as I poured another glass.

“Raphael” the name alone felt like poison.

Four years of loving and trusting him, building my world around him… only to find out it had all been lies.

My chest tightened, and a broken laugh escaped my lips.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but it only made it worse.

The painful lump in my chest became bigger and no matter how much I drank, it wouldn’t go away.

I had gone to his apartment earlier that evening, my heart light with excitement.

I had wanted to surprise him—

God! I was such a fool…

The door hadn’t been locked.

I remember smiling as I stepped inside, calling his name softly… until I heard voices coming from the bedroom.

Raphael’s voice rang clear, laced with that calm arrogance.

“I really do feel pity for her,” Raphael said, his tone almost bored. Ever since she lost her mom, am all she has left. If she finds out that I never love her—

My steps froze.

Pity? “Why would you pity her?” A familiar voice cut in sharply.

It was Vivian, my stepsister.

I thought I misheard. Because what will my sister be doing in my fiancé’s bedroom? I was still doubting myself when Vivian’s voice said “are you seriously worried about my sister right now when I am next to you? She said almost mad.

“Of course not, darling,” Raphael replied quickly, his voice softening in a way I had never heard before. “You know I only agreed to this wedding just to be close to you. It’s always been you Vivian.” That’s how desperate I’m to be with you.

She’s nothing but a stepping stone.

My heart sank further to my feet.

My hand flew to my mouth, muffling the sound of my breathing.

Your mother would never accept me,he continued.

“I know your mom wants a billionaire for you. But that wouldn’t stop us from being together. I have nothing to my name. Marrying Lucy is just… the easiest way in.”

Each word felt like a knife sinking deeper into my chest.

“I will coax her to hand everything she has to me after the wedding anyway,” he added with a low chuckle. “With how much she loves me, it won’t be hard. I already have everything planned out. Once I get what I want, I’ll divorce her… and have lots of fun with you.

Vivian laughed.

A soft, pleased sound.

“I don’t care about her,” he said coldly. “She’s always been pathetic.”

Raphael scoffed.

“She won’t even sleep with me,” he muttered. “Always talking about waiting until marriage. All she does is confess how much she loves me— like I care. If she really did love me like she claimed, she would’ve given herself to me already. But you…”

His voice dropped into something darker. Intimate.

“I can’t get enough of you.”

“ You're so naughty!” Vivian said laughing.

I felt as if a thunderstorm had just struck me.

I pressed my hand to my chest, struggling to breathe as loud and lustful echoes of passion intensified from inside the room.

The rest of their words blurred into meaningless noise, My mind was a storm of betrayal, disbelief, and rage.

Raphael, the man I had pledged my life to, had been lying and cheating on me and the woman who had an affair with him was none other than my step sister.

I have been too naive. For years, I endured bullying from my stepmother and stepsister. For my father’s sake. Have always believed every single lie that came out from Raphael’s mouth.

A strangled sound escaped my throat, and I stumbled backward, barely managing to stay silent as I rushed out of the apartment.

I didn’t remember how I got into a taxi.

I didn’t remember giving the driver directions.

All I knew was that I ended up in a bar, broken and humiliated.

I let out a shaky breath and lifted the glass again, my vision already blurring.

“I gave you everything…” I whispered.

The tears came hot and unstoppable, sliding down my cheeks no matter how hard I tried to hold them back. The tears wouldn’t stop.

The bar was filled with low music and distant chatter, but it all felt muted—like I was trapped in my own world of pain.

I laughed weakly, shaking my head.

Five years!

Five fucking years! I had wasted it on Raphael! Loving him with all my might! Loving him with all my soul! Making him meals! Paying almost all his bills. Thinking I was doing the right thing as a soon-to-be wife.

What have I been doing for five years then?

All I ever wished for was getting married to him and having beautiful babies together. Was that too much to ask for?

“I’ve been such an idiot…

That moment I decided that I would no longer let myself be taken for a fool.

The woman everyone took for a fool died tonight.

I would never let myself be used nor pity by anyone anymore.

I pushed myself off the stool, grabbing my bag, but the room spun violently around me.

“Shit…” I muttered, stumbling forward.

My legs gave out beneath me.

I braced for the hard impact of the floor—

But instead of hitting the ground, I fell into someone’s arms—