Chapter 2 Engagement

"You have to come home early, Aliyah. We need you here at the house. Congressman is coming!" her mother said firmly on the other line-not requesting, but commanding.

Aliyah sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes.

It was her father's birthday. She knew she had no excuse to skip tonight. If only she had a choice, she would've opted for overtime at work, hung out somewhere-anywhere but home. She didn't want to face Aleli-especially now.

But she also knew her mother wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted.

"Yes, I'll come home early," she replied before ending the call.

She wearily packed her things, trying to push down the heavy feeling in her chest.

Two weeks.

Two weeks since she caught her ex-boyfriend and her sister Aleli in a situation forever burned into her memory. Two weeks of pain, anger, and forced composure. She did everything to avoid the two. She didn't want to see them. She didn't even want to hear their names.

She didn't want to remember how she was replaced-and by who.

Her parent doesn't know what happened. Their parents had no idea about the chaos between her and her sister. They didn't even know she and Benedict had a relationship. She chose to keep it a secret, trying to avoid trouble due to her father's strict nature, even if she was already old enough to fall in love.

But now, she was starting to regret that decision.

When she arrived home, she noticed a car in the driveway. She parked behind it. Before getting out, she took a deep breath-trying to gather her strength.

Upon entering, the house was bustling with helpers in a frenzy preparing for the event. Her mom was equally frantic, bossing everyone around, making sure every detail of the celebration was perfect.

"Oh, God! Good thing you're finally here!" her mom exclaimed when she see her. She barely glanced at her before turning back to give more orders to the staff. She was about to head upstairs to change when her mom stopped her. "Change later, check the oven first. That helper from the agency is useless, doesn't even know how to use an oven!"

Aliyah just shook her head. Her mother hadn't changed, always complaining, always criticizing. She acted superior even though they weren't born into wealth. In truth, they were a working-class family that got lucky moving into the middle class, thanks mostly to her late grandmother on her father's side. It was that grandmother who left the business they were now forced to manage, a responsibility her father never even wanted.

Aliyah sighed again and focused on what her mother asked. She dropped her shoulder bag and headed to the kitchen, only to freeze at the sight of Aleli and Benedict feeding each other cake and giggling like teenagers.

She clenched her jaw, fighting off the growing tightness in her chest. She didn't expect to see them like this, especially in her own home. But more than hurt, rage took over.

She was about to step back and leave rather than confront them, but Aleli turned to her with a sweet smile, one she knew all too well was laced with mockery.

"Hi, Aliyah. Come join us," her sister said cheerfully, pretending to be innocent. "Benedict's mom sent cheesecake. Try some, it's delicious!"

Aliyah's fists tightened, but she didn't let herself lose. She wouldn't give in.

She lifted her chin and gave a fake smile. "No, thanks. I might not be able to digest it."

Aleli's smile faltered, replaced with annoyance. Benedict, on the other hand, remained silent, unable to meet her gaze.

Aliyah shook her head and ended the conversation. She averted her eyes and focused on the oven, checking the temperature before grabbing a pot holder. She had no intention of trading hurtful words. Not now. Not here.

But Aleli wasn't done.

"Anyway, Aliyah," her sister spoke again, her tone baiting a reaction. "I wanted you to know, Benedict and I, are getting married."

Aliyah froze.

It was like ice water was poured over her.

She didn't even realize she had dropped the pot holder. She couldn't move, couldn't speak.

Getting married?

She quickly swallowed the lump of anger in her throat.

The man she had loved for two years-the man she once dreamed of spending forever with-had not even mentioned anything about marriage, not once.

But now, in just two weeks? And to her own sister?

But what did she really know? Maybe they'd been seeing each other behind her back all along. Maybe they had been fooling her for a long time.

With a heavy heart, she slowly turned her head. She wanted to see if Aleli was telling the truth, or if this was just another one of her taunts.

But when she lifted her gaze, she saw it, the glinting ring on her sister's finger.

She wouldn't show weakness.

She gave Aleli a cold, emotionless smile.

"Congratulations," she said calmly, even though it felt like something was choking her.

Then she turned her back on them, even though it felt like she was walking away with a wound left wide open.

Aliyah stepped out into the garden, trying to calm herself. The air outside was cool, but it couldn't extinguish the fire raging inside her. She drew in a deep breath, doing her best to suppress the weight of the emotions tightening around her.

But she hadn't even fully composed herself when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Aliyah."

She froze.

Her body went rigid, but eventually, she turned slowly.

It was Benedict.

He stood just a few steps away, his expression serious, his eyes filled with something unreadable.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly, trying to maintain the distance between them.

He stepped closer. "I want to talk to you."

"There's nothing left for us to talk about, Benedict." She turned her back, ready to walk away, but he stepped closer still, close enough for their bodies to nearly touch.

"Just answer one question," he said firmly. "Do you still have feelings for me?"

Her ears rang at the question.

Did she still feel something?

How could he even ask that after choosing her sister over her?

She quickly restrained herself. She wouldn't let anger win. She wouldn't show any weakness.

So she smiled, a bitter smile, full of scorn.

"You? Do I still love you?"

She shook her head and looked him up and down like he was nothing.

"Maybe you're the one still hoping, Benedict."

His eyes narrowed, and she saw irritation flash across his face.

"Don't turn this into a joke, Aliyah," he said sharply.

"I'm serious," she replied, unfazed. "I don't feel anything for you anymore. Not even a bit."

Suddenly, anger flared on his face.

And before she could react, he grabbed her by the arm-tight-almost making her cry out in shock.

"Really?" he asked through clenched teeth, eyes burning. "If you feel nothing, prove it."

"What-" she didn't finish the sentence.

Because suddenly, he kissed her.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Weakened by anger and disbelief, Aliyah gathered her strength to push Benedict away. But before she could, a hand yanked her hair back.

"You filthy bitch!"

She staggered backward, nearly falling, but the furious face of her sister Aleli was the first thing she saw. Her sister was seething with rage, and before she could dodge, a loud slap landed on her cheek.

"What do you think you're doing to my fiancé?!" Aleli screamed, shaking with anger. "You only know how to use people! A thief! You're nothing but a filthy whore!"

Aliyah clutched her stinging cheek. She couldn't speak right away, too stunned by how fast everything had happened.

"Aleli, no-"

"No, what?!" Her sister tried to hit her again, but Aliyah caught her hand before it landed.

"What is your problem?!" Aliyah shouted back. "Benedict came to me! He's the one who kissed me!"

But before she could finish explaining, their parents arrived.

"What is this commotion?!" their father demanded angrily. Their mother rushed to Aleli, who was now crying like a helpless victim.

"Mommy, Daddy!" Aleli sobbed. "Aliyah... she was flirting with Benedict! I caught them kissing!"

Aliyah's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!" She looked at Benedict, hoping he would finally tell the truth.

But she was wrong.

Instead of defending her, Benedict cleared his throat and looked at their parents with fake remorse on his face.

"I'm sorry, Uncle, Auntie," he said with a deep sigh. "I only wanted to ask for Aliyah's blessing... for our wedding, but she suddenly kissed me."

It felt like something exploded in Aliyah's head.

"What?!" she nearly screamed in anger. "Benedict, you're a liar!"

But no one seemed to hear her.

"Aliyah!" her mother shouted in anger. "What's gotten into you? Your sister has a fiancé, and this is what you do?!"

"But it was Benedict who-"

"Enough!" her father roared. "I don't want to hear another word from you!"

It felt like ice water had been poured over her. She couldn't believe what was happening. Not only had the truth been twisted, but her own parents chose to believe Benedict's lie.

She gasped, feeling her chest tighten. It felt like she was drowning in pain and injustice.

"Mom, Dad..." she said weakly, her voice trembling.

But neither of them answered. All she could hear was Aleli's sobbing while their mother comforted her, and the fake regret in Benedict's voice.

She couldn't stop the tears anymore. They fell one by one, hot, angry, full of heartbreak. She didn't wait for anyone to speak. She didn't say goodbye. She ran out of the house, not caring what they would say.

"Aliyah, come back here!" her father shouted.

But she didn't stop. She couldn't stay. She had to get away, before the pain drove her insane.

She ran, not knowing where to go. The only thing she knew was that she wanted to escape, even just for a moment, from the cruel reality that had swallowed her whole.

A blinding light suddenly flared in front of her. At the same time, a sharp honk shattered the stillness of the night.

She froze, eyes wide in fear, but it was too late.

Her knees gave out. Overwhelmed by heartbreak, confusion, and exhaustion, everything went dark.

And before she could feel what came next, she lost consciousness completely.