Chapter 3 THE KISS OF BETRAYAL

ELENA'S POV

I've loved Erod since I was twelve.

Not the kind of love you giggle about with your friends or write in some cringey diary with hearts over the i's-no, this was real. At least, it felt real to me. But talking to him? Approaching him? That always felt like asking to get burned. So I kept my distance, watching him from afar, convincing myself ,I was just waiting for the right time.

That time came when we got older. I wasn't some scared little girl anymore. I am Elena- the Elena everyone knew, the girl with confidence, charm, and a fan club of admirers I didn't even want. And I finally told myself, if I wanted something, I'd go after it.

So I did.

For the past month, I'd been nothing but sweet to him. I gave him small, thoughtful gifts, sat beside him in class, asked him questions I already knew the answers to just so we could talk. I even baked him cookies. Cookies! Me! Elena, who doesn't lift a finger unless it's for a shopping bag or a perfect selfie.

And yet, three days ago, it all came crashing down.

"I'm dating someone," he said out of nowhere, his voice low but firm, eyes locked on the book in front of him.

I blinked. "Who?"

He didn't even look up. "Never mind."

Never mind?

Never mind?

I wanted to scream. To demand answers. To pull that book from his hands and throw it across the library. But I didn't. I couldn't. We were in the damn library.

"Just tell me," I said, reaching for his hand. I tried to stay calm, to sound sweet. But he yanked his hand back like I'd burned him.

"Telling you won't change anything."

I smiled then- cold, calculated. "I know. But at least let me know the beautiful girl you've chosen over me."

And just like that, he stood up and left.

He left me there, in the middle of the library, looking like a fool.

Me. Elena.

No one makes me feel like that.

No one.

By the time I stormed out of that quiet hellhole, I had one mission: find out who the hell he was dating and make her regret breathing.

I called the only people who truly understood the art of vengeance: my girls, Veronica and Mariam.

Mariam took the job seriously. She was always the more dramatic one, the type who could find out what you had for breakfast just by watching your shoes.

The very next day, my phone rang.

"He's into your dirty sister," Mariam said without so much as a hello.

My blood went cold.

"Which one?" I asked, already bracing myself.

"Guess," she teased, her voice sing-songy over the phone.

I rolled my eyes. I hated guessing games, especially when the stakes were my dignity.

"All of them know I like Erod," I muttered. "They wouldn't dare..."

"Clearly, one of them dared."

I paced my room. "Could it be Emma?"

"She's too young for him," Mariam replied.

"That doesn't mean anything. Guys love younger girls these days. They're easier to control."

"Hm. True. But no- it's not Emma."

I lost it. "Then tell me already!"

Mariam laughed, and then, like she was delivering a death sentence, she said, "Judith. He's dating Judith."

I couldn't believe it.

"Are you kidding me?" I gasped.

"I wish. But I saw them. Together. In one of those abandoned classrooms. Looked real cozy."

I didn't even say goodbye. I ended the call and grabbed my jacket.

Judith? My own sister?

She knew how I felt. I'd told her everything- every flutter, every hope, every plan I had for me and Erod. And she still went behind my back?

It wasn't enough to confront her. No. She needed to feel what betrayal tasted like. So I hatched a plan. A wicked, perfect plan.

If Erod wanted Judith, he'd have to watch her lose him.

And so would she.

With a little help from Veronica, I orchestrated the perfect moment. I found Erod alone, cornered him when he least expected it. I leaned in, whispered something that made his breath hitch, and kissed him- hard.

The flash of Veronica's camera clicked just in time.

And then Judith walked in.

"It's not what you think, Judith," Erod said, stumbling after her like some confused puppy.

But I stood between them, smiling.

"How do you think your father would feel about this?" I asked, pulling up the picture on my phone and showing him.

He froze. "What is this all about?"

"It's about fighting for what you love," I said, voice calm, smooth like venom.

"I don't like you, Elena."

The words hit me like a slap, but I didn't flinch.

Instead, I smirked.

"You have no choice, Erod," I said. "You're mine. And you'll always be mine."

I turned and walked away.

At the doorway, I paused, glancing back over my shoulder.

"Make the right decision."

Then I left him there, torn, confused, exactly where I wanted him.