Chapter 1 The Betrayal

Chapter 1

"What the hell is going on?" My voice echoed through the empty living room.

Ash-my boyfriend of five years-was on top of my sister, Taylor. One of his hands was mauling her breast, the other was yanking at her underwear.

They were kissing hungrily, the wet sound of exchanged saliva grating through the room.

I blinked. No, I had to be insane-what I was seeing couldn't be real.

After hearing my voice, they didn't stop right away. If anything, they got bolder, only peeling apart after a satisfied little moan. Taylor calmly pushed Ash away, stood up from beneath him, and smoothed the skirt that had ridden up around her waist.

She frowned, displeased, looking at me like I was the one interrupting.

Rage surged through me like magma. I clenched my fists and fixed my stare on Ash. He got to his feet slowly, shrugged without a shred of guilt, and even had the nerve to curl his lips in a provocative smile.

I picked up a chair beside me and walked toward him, forcing out a few words. "What is this, a prank? Tell me this is a prank."

If he said it wasn't, I swore this chair would "accidentally" slip from my hands.

"Hey, Elena, don't be so dramatic." Taylor rolled her eyes, her voice thick with mockery. "You know everything you have ends up being mine sooner or later. Don't act so shocked like this is your first time."

Ash couldn't help but laugh. He gazed at Taylor with adoration. "God, Taylor, you're my queen. But are you sure your parents won't blame you for this?"

"Of course not." Taylor flicked her silky blonde hair and shot me a disdainful look. "I'll find her another date. Oh, how about that idiot on the corner? I remember he has a thing for Elena's type."

They stood there, mocking me without mercy. I was used to Taylor's words, but Ash-his betrayal cut into me like a blade, ripping my heart apart.

I fought to keep the tears from falling. Staring Ash down, I asked, voice like ice, "Ash. Tell me-when did this start with Taylor? I don't remember you even knowing her."

My hand clutched the back of the chair so hard it shook.

"The day I first drove you home, Taylor said she wanted to meet me. As her sister, you know better than anyone how irresistible she is. I couldn't help it." Ash's voice rang out, and my head went dizzy. Six months into dating, Ash started driving me.

He'd been cheating on me for two years. That bastard.

I didn't need to be heartbroken over this scum. I didn't even need to ask him why, despite the way we'd promised each other to always be honest.

My gaze dropped to his lips, my ears buzzing until every word blurred. I used to think every flaw of his was perfect-even his terrible haircut made my heart race. I wasn't some moral crusader, but I'd hoped for at least a shred of respect. Not this-standing beside the person I despised most, laughing at me together.

What turned him into this?

A wave of nausea rose from my stomach so violently I nearly puked. I didn't know what I should do, but I knew I had to do something.

The next second, I swung the chair and smashed it into Ash's head without hesitation.

Blood spurted from his forehead. He screamed in panic. Taylor shouted in a flurry, "Hurry, we need first aid!"

Footsteps thudded upstairs, then the kitchen door swung open.

Mom shuffled in wearing a robe; Dad had on boxer shorts and a faded old T-shirt. Both squinted, bleary-eyed.

"What happened?" Mom asked, looking around-then her gaze landed on Ash. "Oh my God, Ash, why are you bleeding?"

"Mum! It was that shorty Elena-she went off who-knows-where to fool around with men, came home drunk, and smashed a stool over us the minute she walked in. I only just managed to dodge." Taylor's furious accusation came with a triumphant smile.

My fists tightened. My allowance from my parents was barely half of hers; I had to work part-time to get through school. That's why I was coming home in the middle of the night.

"What? Elena, what on earth are you doing? Why are you always causing trouble?" Mom rushed to blame me without even asking what happened.

Of course. She'd always been like this. Never changed. But tonight, I wasn't going to swallow it.

"I came home," I said, staring straight into Mom's eyes, voice steady, "and walked in on my boyfriend-" I pointed at Ash, my teeth clenched, "with his hand shoved inside Taylor's underwear-"

"Enough! Elena!" Dad's voice cracked like a whip, his glare hard and commanding.

"Dad!" I stared at him in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Taylor seduced my boyfriend!"

Taylor jumped in immediately, feigning panic. "No, Dad, I didn't know Ash was Elena's boyfriend. She never said a thing. Besides, she's always so cold to her family-who would even know anyone wants to date her."

"Elena, you heard her. Taylor didn't know you had a boyfriend, so." Dad frowned at me.

"So what?" I snapped, cutting him off.

"You failed to win Ash's affection. You can't blame Taylor for that-she's a victim too," he pronounced solemnly.

The last scrap of hope in me was crushed. My chest twisted so hard it hurt to breathe. I just wanted him to be fair-once, just once-but reality slapped me across the face.

I turned to leave, but Mom suddenly grabbed my arm. She sighed, her tone soft. "Elena, sweetheart, I know you're upset, but-we're a unit."

My eyes widened. They'd never treated me like part of this family. A second ago, they were working overtime to prove I wasn't. "What are you trying to say?"

Mom hesitated and looked at Dad. He finally spoke. "They're getting married next month."

I froze, then let out a cold laugh. "Great. Two rotten people, finally together."

"Listen, Elena, don't use that tone. They're in love," Mom said with a frown.

"Oh, please, Mom! The whole town knows what kind of slut Taylor is-" My patience snapped.

"Shut up, Elena! The world doesn't revolve around you. You can't tear her down just because you can't have what she has!" Mom roared.

"Are you serious right now?" The rage in my chest exploded. "She hurt me! She slept with my boyfriend! And you think that's fine?"

They both fell silent.

"You're disgusting," I said coolly. Anger roared through me like fire-I couldn't stay another second.

"Elena, watch your mouth!" Dad barked. "I understand your grievances with your sister, but you will attend this wedding and behave with proper decorum!"

"What?" I could barely believe my ears.

"Elena, you will be your sister's bridesmaid. That's an order! We are your parents-you will do as you're told!" Mom snapped.

"Sorry, Mom, absolutely not!" I shouted. "I've done what you wanted my whole life, but not this time. I'm the one who was hurt, and I won't let you parade me around as a joke!"

"Enough, Elena!" Dad thundered, making me flinch. "You will attend this wedding. That is final!"

"Over my dead body," I ground out, every word like a stone.

Taylor brushed past me and melted into Ash's arms, smug and scornful.

"You will go," Mom said coldly. "You will stand by your sister and smile and support her."

"In your dreams." I glared at them, fury nearly swallowing me whole.

A sharp slap cracked through the living room. My cheek burned hot.

Mom pointed at me, her voice like ice. "Don't you dare shame this family."

"Kill me first!" I yelled, wrenching free of her hand, and stormed out the door.