chapter 1

*Naomi's POV*

Today is the happiest day of my life and obviously Tomorrow will be even better.

"Aren't I the lucky one?" I asked my designer as she adjusted the fabric of my dashing wedding dress.

"Yes, you are, ma'am. Not everyone gets to be with the love of their life," she replied and smiled.

"Well, I guess I am," I murmured, running my fingers over the fancy, delicate dress. The dress was elegant, and had nice designs and gosh—it was perfect Just like my love for Alexander.

I sighed, the only thing missing was my cousin, Rachel.

"I just wish Rachel was here. At least she would have helped me get fitted, we'd have had fun fitting this dress. She always does all the hyping and all.”

"Don't worry, ma'am," my designer reassured me. "She said she'll be back later for your bachelorette party. No need to worry."

I forced a smile. "Yes I know. Alright, I'll leave you to continue your work."

"You should rest, ma'am. Tomorrow is such a big day. You need enough rest, so you can have strength."

"Thank you ma'am, I'll rest once I get home."

As I left her store, I felt strange, and I couldn't say why exactly. I brought out my phone to call Alexander, I wanted to hear his voice.

The phone rang twice before he answered.

"Hi, hi, darling husband-to-be."

"Oh, Naomi, my lovely wife to be" he said, his voice warm. "How are you doing? I can’t wait to see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, me too," I said, feeling a rush of love. "So, what's your plan?"

"Plan? For what?"

"For tomorrow, silly. Our wedding."

He chuckled. "It’s a surprise, Naomi."

I started blushing, all my face turned red. "Wow, that’s so romantic, I can't wait to see all of it. So, are you home or out with your friends?"

"No, I’m home alone, preparing for you, my darling wife."

Home alone. I bit my lip, a naughty idea crossed my mind.

"Okay," I said, grabbing my coat. "See you tomorrow."

But tomorrow felt too far away. I wanted to see him now, I wanted to surprise him.

The ride to his house was quick, my heart was filled with excitement. I was already imagining the look on his face when he sees me. Would he scoop me into his arms and kiss me? Whisper how much he loved me?

The thought made me giggle like a child as I got to his entrance. I was about to knock when I noticed it was slightly open.

That was strange.

I was reluctant at first but curiosity got the better of me. I stepped in, quiet as a whisper. And then the next thing I heard sent shivers down my spine.

"Ah, yes, harder," came a very familiar feminine voice from his room.

I froze.

Rachel?

I moved forward, every step making my stomach twist.

"Oh, yeah, baby, don't stop, oh… I wish I could steal you from that wretched girl, Naomi," Rachel said while moaning.

I was shocked.

"Oh baby, don't ruin the fun," Alexander responded.

No. No, no, no.

"I wish I could have you all to myself and not Naomi, but you know she's the key to the inheritance."

That instant, it was as if the ground should open and swallow me. I couldn't breath, it was as if all the air in me had been taken out. I felt suffocated.

I kept shaking my head, I wished it was a dream, a hallucination. But then the moans and their bodies on each other, reality hit me like a slap.

Their tangled bodies, The sheets, the way he held her, whispered to ears—the way he touched her like he once touched me, the way her nails dugged into his skin.

I almost fell,

I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t think.

I turned and ran.

It was late already, so I turned to leave. I had no idea where I was headed, I just knew I found myself at the one place I had sworn never to return to.

The bar. I used to love coming here, especially Friday night, T.G.I.F. After a stressful week at work, I'd just come to the bar to chill and relax. But Alexander doesn't like that, I wanted to be a better person for him, so I stopped.

The smell of alcohol and regret wrapped around me as I pushed through the doors.

"This is your sixth bottle, ma'am," the bartender said, snatching the seventh before I could grab it.

"Killjoy," I said mumbling.

The world tilted, My mind was in chaos. But the more I drank, the heavier the betrayal sat in my chest.

"Another," I said in my drunken state.

"No."

I glared at him. "Aren’t you just interested in the money?"

"I am," he admitted, "but not with your safety on the line. I don’t want the cops asking me questions after your death."

I laughed bitterly. Death. Wouldn’t that be nice?

I stood up from the stool, my legs wobbling, I was seeing double. The walls seemed to breathe, the lights too bright, the floor too unsteady.

I needed more, maybe somewhere else.

Anywhere but here.

As I tried walking out, my head started spinning, I was seeing stars. My legs twisted. And then—

I bumped into someone.

"Whoa!" A Strong arm caught me before I fell to the ground.

"Hey, miss," a deep voice said. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I muttered, swaying. "I'm fine."

"You reek of alcohol."

"And you don't," I smiled at him.

"Where do you leave?" The handsome guy asked, "Cause you are in no driving state," he continued.

I giggled, poking his face. "Why should I tell you where I live?"

"My mom warned me about strangers." I smirked tightening my grip around his neck.

He sighed. "Maybe because this stranger is your only way of getting home safely tonight?"

I didn’t know where or how I got the boldness, but I leaned in, my voice dropping into a sultry whisper.

"Can I have a feel of you inside me tonight?"

His grip on my waist tightened, his jaw clenching.

For a moment, the air between us crackled.

Then, he exhaled sharply. "You’re drunk."

I pouted. "So?"

"So, I don’t take advantage of drunk women."

His words sliced through me.

I stared at him—at the sharp lines of his face, the storm in his eyes. Something about him felt… safe. Even as my world spun, even as my heart shattered, he was steady.

"Come on," he said, slipping an arm around my waist. "Let’s get you out of here."

And for the first time that night, I let someone hold me without breaking me.

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