Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 9

Chapter 1

"You slut! At MY wedding?!"I clutched my face, completely bewildered."Celeste, I think there's been a misunderstanding—"Celeste scoffed and flung her phone at my feet."A misunderstanding? It's all on video. How is that a misunderstanding?!"I bent down to pick up the phone, but Celeste stomped on my hand with her foot and ground down hard. Searing pain shot through me, and I cried out.Celeste’s mother Margaret grabbed a fruit platter from the table and smashed it over my head, trembling with rage."I saw you two hugging! Don't even try to deny it!"I staggered back, clutching my head, and pulled out my own phone to show Celeste a photo of me and Alexander — a goofy selfie of us making faces at the camera."Look — this is me and my brother. We take pictures like this all the time."Celeste leaned in for a look, and her jaw tightened. This time she kicked off her flats, put on a pair of stilettos, and stamped down on my palm, twisting viciously."Brother? Who the hell are you kiddin

Chapter 2

Meanwhile, Alexander had just finished greeting yet another wave of guests. He paused, glancing toward the bridal suite."I wonder how my sister and Celeste are getting along. They haven't met before."His friend Ryan walked over."Relax. Your sister's a people person — everyone says so. And Celeste is gracious and well-mannered. For all we know, they're already thick as thieves."Alexander still couldn't shake his unease. Seeing this, Ryan called over another groomsman to cover and went to check himself.A moment later, Ryan returned. Alexander asked immediately."How's it going?"Ryan shook his head, looking puzzled."No idea where they went. The room was empty, but there were smashed fruit platters all over the floor."Alexander frowned, anxiety rising, and turned to go find them himself.But Celeste’s father Gerald appeared with a guest in tow."Mr. Whitfield, this is my son-in-law, Alexander Sterling."Alexander had no choice but to stay and exchange pleasantries. He shot Ryan a l

Chapter 3

The surrounding guests crowded in, pointing and whispering.Celeste instantly switched to a pitiful act, eyes brimming with tears."Thank you all for coming to my wedding today. This woman showed up uninvited to seduce my husband on our wedding day."I raised my head furiously and screamed."You're lying! I'm Alexander Sterling's sister!"Celeste's expression twisted with fury, her body swaying as if she might collapse."You're the liar! My sister-in-law has showered me with gifts — houses, cars, you name it. Someone like you doesn't deserve to call yourself my sister-in-law!""Alexander told me himself — his sister had a deal to close on the day of the wedding and wouldn't be able to make it!"I stopped wasting my breath arguing with Celeste and turned my head toward the crowd, shouting with everything I had left."I really am Alexander Sterling's sister! You can call him right now and he'll confirm it!"The guests looked around at each other, but with Celeste standing right there, no

Chapter 4

My heart lurched. My legs were shaking, but I gritted my teeth and swung the stick in my hand as hard as I could.The dog eyed the stick warily and kept its distance, watching me like a predator waiting for the right moment.I stared right back at it, but my peripheral vision was fixed on the exit. Inch by inch, I edged my way toward the door.I was almost there when the dog let out a sudden bark. I flinched so hard that my legs gave out and I slipped to the ground.The dog pounced on me instantly. Its foul, reeking drool dripped all over my face.Meanwhile, Alexander had finished greeting the guests and went looking for Celeste, carrying the wedding gift I'd prepared for her.He was all smiles, attentive as always, reaching over to fix a loose pin in Celeste's hair.But Celeste wouldn't give him the time of day. She turned her head away with a cold huff.Margaret was no better, her tone dripping with passive aggression."Even on your wedding day, you've got women throwing themselves a

Chapter 5

When Alexander burst through the door with his men, I was still pinned to the ground by the dog.I clamped my legs together and dug my fingers into the dog's neck with everything I had.Alexander took one look and let out a panicked shout."Sis!"The next thing I knew, the dog was kicked clean off me.Alexander ripped off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, pulling me tight against his chest. His voice was shaking."God, you scared me."I curled into his arms, seething with rage."It was Celeste. It was Celeste! I'm going to make her pay for this!"Alexander's face was murderous."Don't worry. I'm divorcing her today. She's out of this family!"I ducked into a changing room first, swapped into fresh clothes, and touched up my makeup.By the time Alexander and I walked into the grand ballroom, Celeste was surrounded by a fawning crowd.The moment she spotted Alexander approaching with his entourage, she lifted her chin, every inch the wronged bride."Finally! So you DO know you

Chapter 6

"No, no, it's not like that, Victoria!""This is all a misunderstanding. I thought you were... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...""Victoria, please forgive me. Just this once."I let go of her chin, the hatred in my eyes impossible to hide."Forgive you?"I took a couple of steps away, then turned back with a smile."Sure. I hear one of your paintings just won an award?"Celeste thought I'd actually forgiven her. She wiped her tears and smiled."Yes! If you like it, I can give it to you."I shook my head and took a file from someone behind me."Is that so? Because I've heard that three of your award-winning works were painted by someone else entirely."Celeste's eyes went wide with disbelief.I tossed the file at her feet and grinned."Right here — sworn statements from the actual painter, along with their chat logs. Care to take a look?""What do you think happens when the auction houses find out? Think you'd ever sell another painting?"Celeste's face twisted in terror. She crawled toward m

Chapter 7

Alexander produced a fresh set of divorce papers and dropped them in front of Celeste."Celeste. Sign."Before Celeste could even open her mouth, Gerald grabbed her hand and tried to force her to sign."This is all your fault, you ungrateful brat! You just had to go and provoke Victoria and her brother!""Sign the papers! Now!"Celeste fought back violently, shoving Gerald so hard he stumbled and fell. Then she hurled the pen across the room."No! I won't! I'm not getting a divorce!"Margaret helped Gerald to his feet. He turned to me, his voice low and groveling."Ms. Sterling, we're sorry. We're so, so sorry. Please... have mercy. We'll never do anything like this again!"Gerald glanced at Celeste one last time, then steeled himself and spat out the words through clenched teeth."We'll disown her immediately. We just ask that you don't drag us down with her."Celeste's head snapped up. She stared at the father who had spoiled her rotten her entire life, unable to believe those words

Chapter 8

But Alexander's compromise only emboldened Celeste further.Her face crumpled with grief, and she sobbed uncontrollably."If you don't believe me, then fine — I don't want this baby either!"She hurled herself stomach-first toward the edge of the table.I cried out and threw my own body in the way to block her.I couldn't take the gamble — what if the baby was real?This could be my brother's child. Another member of my family!Celeste slammed into me, and the impact made me gasp in pain.Alexander helped me up, his expression torn.I knew what he was thinking. I smiled and gave him a nod.Only then did Alexander turn and snap at Celeste."Apologize to my sister right now! Beg her to forgive you!"Celeste's sorrow flipped to joy in an instant. When she looked at me, she became the picture of humility."Victoria, I'm so sorry. It was my own foolishness that got you hurt.""Thank you, Victoria. You're so generous to forgive me."I kept my expression stony and nodded.Celeste beamed, then

Chapter 9

When everyone saw what was on the screen, every face in the room changed.Margaret took in their expressions with satisfaction, then turned to Celeste with a cold sneer."The baby isn't Alexander's! She doesn't even know who the father is!"At those words, Alexander and I both stiffened.Celeste shrieked and lunged for the phone, but Margaret shoved her backward. She crashed into the corner of a table, and blood began trickling down her forehead.But Celeste didn't even care about her injury. She threw herself at Alexander, desperately trying to explain."Alexander, listen to me... it's not what it looks like."Alexander flicked his hand, and Celeste went flying."Your mother just put up photos of you in bed with other men, along with your messages. What could you possibly have left to say?!"Celeste whipped around to face me, her eyes wild with desperation."Victoria, it's not true — it's all fake! The baby really is Alexander's!"When Margaret saw Celeste still denying everything, sh

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