Chapter 1 The Night of Betrayal

The muffled music from the club thudded like a heartbeat in Sienna Tillman's ears as she raced up the stairs of the Silver Velvet Lounge. Her phone clutched tightly in one hand, she couldn't shake the tremor in her voice when she called out, "Juliette? Where are you?"

A cold knot of fear twisted in her stomach as she reached Room 905, where Juliette had said she was assaulted. The text message flashed in her mind again: "Sienna, help me! I was attacked!"

Panic clawed at her as she hesitated outside the door. Her trembling hand reached for the doorknob, and when it creaked open, she was met with suffocating darkness.

"Juliette?" she called again, her voice cracking.

Before she could take another step, a rough hand seized her wrist, yanking her into the room. The door slammed shut, sealing her in.

"Who-what are you doing? Let me go!" she cried, struggling against the vice-like grip.

A deep, gravelly voice whispered close to her ear, sending a chill down her spine. "Stay still, sweetheart. You'll enjoy this."

Her breath hitched. The overpowering scent of cologne mixed with alcohol stung her nostrils as a shadow loomed over her. She twisted and kicked, but he was too strong. Her scream was muffled as he forced her onto the couch, pinning her down.

"Get off me!" Sienna's voice broke as she thrashed beneath him, but his weight bore down on her like an unrelenting nightmare. The peppermint taste of his rough kiss lingered, branding her lips with humiliation.

Her tears flowed freely as despair consumed her. Every attempt to fight was met with more force, and for what felt like an eternity, the darkness swallowed her screams.

Sienna stumbled out of Room 905 an hour later, her clothes disheveled and her face streaked with tears. The air outside was suffocating, but she didn't care. She needed to find Juliette.

Her heart pounded as she spotted a familiar figure at the club's side entrance. Juliette Monroe. Arm-in-arm with Vanessa Tillman, her stepsister.

They were laughing.

Sienna froze, disbelief paralyzing her as Juliette's carefree laughter echoed through the night.

"Juliette!" Sienna's voice was sharp, trembling with anger and betrayal.

Juliette turned, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Oh, Sienna. Did you have fun?"

"What-what are you talking about?" Sienna stammered, her mind struggling to piece together the fragments of the nightmare she had just endured.

Vanessa stepped forward, her eyes glinting with malice. "How was the gigolo? Did he treat you well?"

Sienna's chest tightened as realization dawned. This wasn't an accident. It was a setup.

"You did this," she whispered, her voice cracking. "You planned this together."

Juliette's smirk deepened, her voice laced with venom. "Of course we did. Do you know how long I've waited to see you humiliated? You've always thought you were better than me, haven't you? Tonight, you got exactly what you deserved."

Sienna's fists clenched at her sides as Vanessa chimed in, her tone icy. "And now, I have the evidence I need to show Dad you've been sneaking off to clubs. When he sees this, he'll finally throw you out for good."

The weight of their betrayal crashed down on her like a tidal wave. Her mind reeled, the pain of the night mingling with a deep, simmering fury.

"Why?" Sienna choked out, her voice thick with emotion. "What did I ever do to you?"

Juliette's laughter was sharp and bitter. "You existed, Sienna. That was enough."

Vanessa linked her arm with Juliette's, her gaze cold. "Come on, Juliette. We've wasted enough time on trash."

They walked away, leaving Sienna standing alone under the pale glow of the streetlights, shattered and defeated.

Three days later, the echo of Franklin Tillman's furious voice filled the grand hall of the Tillman estate.

"Sienna! How dare you disgrace this family?" he roared, slamming a photograph onto the dining table.

Sienna's hands shook as she stared at the image. It was her, stumbling out of the nightclub, her clothes in disarray.

"Dad, it's not what you think," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I was set up-"

"Lies!" Franklin thundered, his face flushed with anger. "I've had enough of your excuses. First, you begged me to fund your studies abroad, and now this? Selling yourself at clubs? You've brought nothing but shame to this family!"

Amanda, Franklin's cold-hearted second wife, sneered from her perch on the couch. "You should be grateful he's even speaking to you after this. Who knows what diseases you've brought home?"

"Dad, please," Sienna begged, tears streaming down her face. "I didn't do this. You have to believe me."

Franklin's gaze hardened. "Pack your things and get out. You're no longer my daughter."

A gasp escaped her lips as the finality of his words sank in.

From the staircase, Vanessa smirked triumphantly, her arms crossed as she watched the chaos unfold. Everything was going exactly as she had planned.

Sienna's heart broke as she looked at her father, the man who had once been her rock. But his eyes held no warmth, no love-only disgust.

With trembling hands, she packed her belongings. As she descended the staircase, Vanessa blocked her path.

"Leaving so soon?" Vanessa taunted, her voice dripping with mockery.

Sienna's fury boiled over. Without thinking, she slapped Vanessa hard across the face.

Vanessa shrieked, clutching her cheek. "Mom! Dad! She hit me!"

Amanda rushed to her daughter's side, her voice shrill. "How dare you lay a hand on her!"

Franklin stormed into the room, his face red with rage. "Get out, Sienna! And don't you ever come back!"

Sienna didn't look back as she stepped out into the cold night, her suitcase in hand.

Five years later, in a small apartment in Arizona, Sienna stood frozen at the door. Two men in suits stared back at her.

"Miss Sienna Tillman?" one of them asked.

"Yes," she replied cautiously. "Who's asking?"

"We represent Old Madam Blackwell," the man said. "Your mother once saved her grandson's life. She wishes to meet you."

Sienna's expression darkened. "I'm not interested."

Before they could respond, a small voice called from inside the apartment. "Mommy, who's at the door?"

"No one important," Sienna replied, slamming the door shut.

Miles away, in a sleek villa perched on a hillside, Damien Blackwell's gaze darkened as he stared out at the city lights.

"Did you find her?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"Yes, sir," his assistant replied. "She sold your watch at a secondhand store five years ago. We have her address."

Damien's jaw clenched. "Bring her to me."