Chapter 1 The Truth Beneath the Lies

"Run!" My heart pounded as I sprinted through the dimly lit street, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I didn't dare look back I could feel the stranger's eyes burning into me.

A few minutes ago, I was simply choosing a cake, excited to surprise James on our anniversary. Now, I was being chased.

But then nothing. Silence. When I finally turned around, the man was gone. The same sharp-eyed man who had grabbed my arm earlier.

I shook my head, pushing away the lingering unease. I had more important things to focus on James. Today was the day I would answer his proposal. After a year of hesitation, I was ready to say yes. I was ready to be his wife.

With the cake in hand, I drove to his apartment, my fingers unconsciously brushing over the engagement ring now snug on my finger.

As I stepped inside, the quiet air felt different. Too still. Then

"Oh, James... harder, baby."

I froze.

That voice.

It wasn't mine.

A sharp, painful lump formed in my throat as I followed the sound, each step heavier than the last. My heart screamed at me to stop, to turn back, but my mind forced me forward.

And then I saw it.

Lacy red panties on the couch. Not mine.

"Fuck, Emily!"

James' voice.

My blood turned to ice.

I reached the bedroom door just in time to hear the words that shattered me completely.

"Am I better than my step-sister? That boring and dumb Stephanie?"

It was her. My step-sister. Emily.

"Nothing happened between us. Even if I tried, Stephanie never gave me what I wanted. She always escaped, always had excuses."

I gripped the door handle, my fingers trembling.

"Baby, when are you breaking up with her? I don't want to share you with anyone, especially that boring sister of mine."

"Soon, baby. She'll marry me first, and then we win. It was your plan, remember? This is our only chance."

A sickening realization settled over me.

This was never love.

It was a scheme.

My stomach twisted as betrayal and rage boiled inside me.

They were kissing and touching each other, lost in each other so wildly and desperately. His hands were gripping her waist, her nails clawing down his back. Their mouths were locked, their bodies were moving in perfect rhythm.

A love I had never been given.

For a second, the world stopped. The only sound was the harsh, uneven breaths still spilling from their lips.

I kicked the door open .

The two of them froze, naked and tangled in each other. Their shock was almost comical.

James's eyes widened in horror, his hands fumbling to pull the sheets over them. Emily, on the other hand, just gasped before smirking slightly, as if she enjoyed this.

"Surprised?" I hissed, stepping inside, my gaze burning into James as he scrambled to cover himself.

"S-Stephanie, b-babe-"

"Don't babe me," I snapped, holding up my hand. The ring on my finger caught the light. His eyes widened in shock.

"You wore the ring," he whispered, a flicker of something relief? crossing his face.

I laughed. A bitter, hollow laugh.