I sat on my office desk, reviewing the wedding dresses and shoes my designer had sent over. My heart fluttered with excitement—the day I had been waiting for all my life was only two days away.
Jason, my childhood crush who was now my fiancé, was like every woman's dream come true. He had messy, swoopy black hair, bright brown eyes that sparkled like the morning sun, and that charming smile of his—plus a sharp jawline that only added to his perfect charm.
Gosh! He was perfect, and I was the woman of his dreams. Lucky me, right?
I had invested seven years into our relationship—sacrificing my time, my dreams of exploring the world, even myself. All for Jason. Because I loved him with all my heart, and I knew he loved me back—more than I could ever imagine.
I'd picked the perfect dress, the perfect shoes. I was about to send a photo to him when my secretary barged in without knocking. She looked like she'd seen a ghost.
"Have you lost your manners?" I asked, irritation rising in my voice.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am, but you need to see this," she said, her voice shaking as she gestured toward the stairs.
I stood up, my heart skipping a beat. What was going on?
We went downstairs, and there—standing in the middle of my office—was a man causing a scene. He was threatening my staff, saying he would fire anyone who didn't comply with him. What the hell?
"Who do you think you are, barging in here and threatening my staff?" I demanded, my voice cold with fury. But the man didn't flinch. He remained unnervingly calm, like he'd been expecting my reaction.
"I should be the one asking you that," he said, his tone dismissive. "This company was bought by my boss, and I've been asked to clean up the unwanted trash... like you."
My blood boiled. Did he just call me trash?
"What the hell did you just call me?" I seethed.
"Oh, pardon me for my rude introduction," he sneered. "I'm now the manager of this company, headed by Mr. Jason Sinclair."
My heart stopped. Jason? My Jason?
"No, no… it can't be him," I muttered, disbelief flooding through me.
"Which Jason?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Your fiancé," he replied, almost mockingly.
My stomach dropped. No. This couldn't be happening. Jason wouldn't—he couldn't do this to me.
"Where's your proof?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of confusion and dread. He just kept quiet without saying anything, a breeze of relief washed through me but.. too soon.
Just then, a notification buzzed on my phone. It was a video from Jason. I opened it, and my world came crashing down.
For a moment, it felt like time had stopped. My heart pounded in my chest, and my legs went weak.
I ran out of the company, echoes of my secretary calling me back filled my ear but I didn't stop.
Neither did I even turn to look back.
I didn't know how I made it to my car, but I ran—ran like a mad woman, desperate to make sense of what I had just seen.
I arrived home, barely able to breathe, my heart racing as I dashed inside. I didn't even pause to lock the door. I just ran.
I flung the bedroom door open—and there they were.
Jason, my fiancé, and Alia, my best friend—in my bed.
I staggered back, my chest heaving, tears blurring my vision.
The very bed he had promised heaven and earth on.
They were tangled up together, laughing and giggling, as though nothing in the world mattered.
"What the hell is going on?" I demanded, my voice breaking.
I held the tears that struggled to fall— I didn't want to appear wak.
Jason immediately pulled away from Alia, but she just pulled him right back, holding him possessively, her arms wrapped around him like he was hers.
"Scarlett…" Jason started, but Alia wasn't having it. She yanked him back toward her, her smile wicked.
"Answer me" I shouted, Alia, my best friend turned and looked at me still holding Jason— biting her lips in a seductive yet mocking way .
My eyes widened,with a very proud smile on her face She leaned closer to him and whispered.
"C'mon, darling, just drop the act and tell her what's really going on. She's barking too loudly."
Barking too loudly?
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. What the hell is going on here?
Jason hesitated before he finally pulled away from Alia, but not before planting a light kiss on her lips.
Wait what! Oh her freaking lips.
Am I hallucinating or what?
He turned toward me. His eyes—those eyes that I once thought were full of love and warmth —now glinted with something I had never seen before: hatred, disgust.
I swallowed hard, bracing myself. Please, don't let this be true. Please give me a real explanation.
"I know you're too dumb to figure out what's going on, but let me make it simple for you," Jason said, his voice icy and cruel. "I'm simply having fun with the woman I love."
Tears burned in my eyes.
My throat suddenly turned try and hot.
I whispered..
"In my house? How could you—" I tried to speak, but he cut me off.
"Correction," he sneered. "You mean my house."
What?
Alia smiled wider. She walked around my bedroom, touching my things like she owned them.
Jason tossed a document at me, that boldly had my signature . I picked it up with shaky hands. The bold letters on the front read: TRANSFER OF ASSETS—my company, my shares,my house / estates, my bank accounts and everything my late father had left me.
The words blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. I had worked my whole life to build that company—to honor my father's legacy. And now, it was all gone.
"Why, Jason?" I whispered, my heart shattering. "I gave you everything. My love, my time, my everything . I was even willing to split my whole property half after our wedding… then why?" I asked, my tone barely a whisper as tears blurred my vision
He scoffed, his eyes cold. "I never loved you, Scarlett. It was never about you. It was your property I wanted. You're just a boring, useless, gullible fool." His words felt like a knife twisting in my chest.
"What about the promises? Everything we planned together?, was that also a game to you" I asked, the memories choking me.
Jason didn't even flinch, instead he released the most mocking laugh I had ever heard.
"Me and you? Hell no! How can I ever stoop that low? I have standards. You are too boring Scarlett— am sure even the heavens accept my decision" he said, now struggling to hold his laugh.
I felt so ashamed and belittled.
"And moreover, how can I spen my life with a murderer, like you"
He said, taking me unaware.
"I'm not a murderer!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.
"That's what scumbags like you always say," Alia chimed in, her arms wrapped around Jason from behind. She poked her head out from his shoulder, her smile cruel and triumphant. "You killed your own father, and everyone knows it , and you just wanna drag Jason along." She added.
My heart tightened as those words left her mouth.
Is this really Alia— the one I always risk my all for? The one I care about and refer to as my best friend?.
How did I not see it? How did I not see how devious she was? The question echoed in my mind, but there was no use in asking it now.
"You used me" I whispered,with a broken voice.
"Bingo! that's the word I was waiting to hear, I never loved you Scarlett , You were just my obedient, submissive little puppet. And I enjoyed every minute of it."
A wicked smile crossed his face. "Now, if you don't mind, get out. Before I call security and have you escorted out. I was busy before you interrupted us."
He turned his back on me, pulling Alia closer, as if I no longer existed.
"Bye-bye, Snow White," Alia called out, mocking me as Jason carried her back to the bed.
I ran out of the room, my heart breaking into a million pieces.
I was now not only alone, but also a wanted suspect . Am sure Jason will reopen my father's murder case and the cops will be happy to help.
My chest righted, I staggered through the corridor.My tears blurred everything around me as I collided with someone.
I looked up to find my mother standing there—her face cold, disappointed.
"Mom…"
Slap.
My face burned, and I staggered back.
"Don't you dare mom me," she spat.
"I swear, Mom, he tricked me. I'm so sorry." My voice cracked, pleading with her for some kind of support.
She shook her head, her expression colder than ever. "You've always been a disgrace. And today, you've just proven it."
"Am sorry" I whispered, pain threatening to burst open my chest.
She didn't even look at me for a second and turned to leave. "Mom please" I chased after her, holding the hem of her dress, " please, help me, just this once" I pleaded, my eyes already red.
But my words meant nothing.
It never did.
She looked down at me one last time, her eyes
empty of warmth.
"You made your bed" she said coldly. "Now lie on it."
Then she walked away.
I stayed there long after she was gone,
kneeling on the cold floor, my hands trembling,
my chest aching as though something inside
me had been ripped out and left to bleed.
When I finally stood, my legs weak beneath
me, I wiped my tears with the back of my hand.
I wish dad was here.
That was when I noticed it.
Something white peeking out from beneath the doormat.
My heart skipped.
I hesitated, then slowly bent down and pulled it
free.
An envelope.
Opening it and reading through it, my eye widened as I stared at the content.