Chapter 2 SHATTERED ILLUSIONS

Sophie stood there, frozen, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. She rubbed her eyes, hoping it was all a terrible dream.

"Did Kingsley just introduce me as his maid... or am I dreaming?" she whispered to herself, still in shock.

Kingsley, noticing she hadn't followed him inside, walked back and grabbed her roughly, dragging her toward the exit as laughter and whispers echoed around the party hall.

"I guess the bitch wanted to know what it feels like to be among the elite. Poor thing. At least she got served hot," one of the guests whispered with a sneer.

Like a scolded child, Kingsley pulled Sophie to a quiet corner away from the others.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed. "Who gave you this address? Are you here to embarrass me?"

Sophie could barely speak. Her voice trembled as she looked into his cold, unfamiliar eyes.

"Just look inside, Sophie," Kingsley said, pointing toward the party. "What do you see? Do you see anyone dressed like a clown the way you are? Even the hotel staff are more presentable. What a shame."

Sophie looked through the glass doors. Inside were beautiful, stylish women in designer dresses and confident men in sleek suits, laughing and dancing under the chandeliers.

She turned back to Kingsley, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Kingsley, please... I'm sorry about the scene with the waiter. I just came to congratulate you and give you your birthday gift. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"You called me your maid," she added softly, her voice breaking. "How could you say that in front of everyone?"

Kingsley scoffed. "This just proves we can't be together, Sophie. We're from two different worlds."

"You love this dress," she argued, tears slipping down her cheeks. "You used to tell me I looked beautiful in it. That's why I wore it-for you."

"Things aren't the same anymore," Kingsley said flatly. "I've changed. I'm now the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company. I dine with elites, with business tycoons. My life has evolved. And you, Sophie... you don't fit into it."

She stared at him in disbelief.

"I'll give you a million dollars as compensation once I inherit the rest of the company," he added, coldly.

Her voice trembled with pain. "Is this really about them?" she asked, pointing toward the people inside. "Where were they when you were nothing? When you had nothing? I stood by you through it all."

"We built this dream together. And now that it's real, you want to throw me away like I never mattered?"

"I appreciate everything you did for me, and I won't forget it," Kingsley replied, emotionless. "But we can't be together anymore. Please stop coming around. I don't want my new friends to see you or know I ever associated with you."

He turned and walked back inside without another word. Sophie watched as a stunning blonde greeted him, looping her arm through his like they belonged together.

She walked to the car-the one she bought for him with her last savings-and sank into the driver's seat, sobbing uncontrollably.

Three perfect years. All thrown away in minutes. There had been no warning signs-nothing to suggest he'd stopped loving her. He barely said the words, but she believed in the way he used to hold her.

She turned the key, started the car, and drove out of the hotel, her vision blurred by tears. She needed to escape. To forget.

She pulled up outside a bar, got out, and walked in. The music was low, the lights dim. She ordered whiskey and drank it like water.

The bartender slid another bottle across the counter with a fresh glass.

She poured herself another shot and gulped it down, the burn at the back of her throat almost comforting.

With each glass, her heartache dulled.

Her head throbbed. Her vision blurred. Fear gripped her-she didn't want to go blind, but she didn't want to feel either.

"Hey stranger... you've had too much to drink for someone just having a bad day," a smooth, masculine voice said beside her.

She turned to the man sitting next to her. He was dressed in an expensive black tuxedo, his eyes intense and magnetic.

"You're so... fucking handsome," she said, her voice thick with drunken boldness.

He smiled slightly. "Can I take you home? This isn't the place for a beautiful drunk woman. You need to be safe."

His tone was soft, protective. He wasn't like the others staring at her with hungry eyes. He felt... safe.

Sophie glanced around and saw the lustful gazes from other men. She was the only woman in the bar, and her dress didn't help.

She looked back at the stranger and smiled, reckless thoughts swirling in her head.

"I'll go with you," she said, leaning close. "But only if you promise to fuck me until I forget the pain."