Chapter 3 Stings Of Betrayal..

Scarlette's POV. 3.

Marriage, they say, is something to be happy about. A thing of joy for every growing woman.

Thane and I had been together since our college days.

We survived the struggles, the long nights, the dreams built from nothing, together. Even though he came from a wealthy family, and i, an average background. So when we finally decided to get married, it felt like the perfect ending to our story... or at least, I thought it was.

I thought our love was unshakable. I thought his heart was tied to mine the way mine was knotted to his.

But maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was just the only one still holding on.

I heard Ethan's car horns from the room, even though the mansion was massive-too massive yet the sound still reached me.

A part of me wanted to cover my ears. But no, I needed to hear it, to know for sure that he was gone.

Gone to meet her.

The moment the final echo of the engine faded, so did my last hope.

The betrayal stung again, deeper this time.

Even in the bathroom, as water poured down my skin, it didn't soften my heart, It made it colder. Harder.

This wasn't heartbreak, This was war.

I didn't dress up in diamonds or luxury. Not today. Today, I wore something simple unnoticeable.

This wasn't the outfit of a billionaire's wife.

It was the outfit of a woman about to walk into hell.

I grabbed my bag and headed out.

Just as I stepped halfway toward the front door, a voice stopped me.

"Ma'am Scarlette?"

I turned slowly. One of the maids stood there, fidgeting.

I forced a smile onto my lips. "Yes, dear?"

She hesitated. "Are you... heading out somewhere?"

"Oh yes. I've got... something to catch up on," I replied flatly, still wearing that smile like a mask.

She stepped forward, holding out a small glass of water and a pack of pills.

"Then you should take your meds first. You didn't forget, did you?"

Damn it! This again?

These stupid pills. I wasn't going to take them anymore.

"I'll take them when I get back," I said quickly, already turning away.

I caught the flicker of panic in her eyes.

"But... Mr. Ethan's mother said-"

I didn't let her finish, I was already out the door.

Already sliding into the car.

She ran after me, calling, but I didn't care.

Not today. Not now.

What I was about to find out meant more than anyone's rules. More than pills. More than appearances.

I needed the truth.

And I was going to get it-no matter what it cost.

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I drove straight to the hotel, One of the biggest in the city. A known place, Classy. Discreet. Expensive Place.

Of course, he'd pick somewhere like this. Maybe a show off.

I walked quickly through the hotel's grand hall and approached the reception desk.

A young lady stood behind the counter, smiling warmly. Too warmly.

"Hello," I said, forcing a polite smile.

"Yes, ma'am. Good day. Are you here to book a room?" she asked cheerfully.

"Uh... no."

I saw her raise an eyebrow.

"Actually, I'm here to look for someone. A man, by the way..." I sighed heavily.

She nodded slowly, waiting. "Okay...?"

"His name is Ethan Thane Newton. I got a message that he's here... in one of your rooms."

I smiled again. A forced smile. A desperate one.

But I had to keep calm.

She turned to her system and typed something quickly.

Then her eyes met mine-hesitating. There was something. Maybe, She knew something.

But then her expression shifted.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. But it's against hotel policy to disclose any guest information."

I clenched my teeth.

"But... if you have an appointment with the guest, you could call him and ask him to ring the room's landline-"

"I am his wife," I said sharply, cutting her off.

"Do you understand that? His wife."

Her smile faded.

"I'm really sorry, ma'am. But we still can't help you," she said quietly, stepping back a little.

Another lady behind the counter had been watching the whole time. Her eyes looked worried. Pitying.

She wanted to say something, I could feel it-but she stayed silent.

There was nothing more I could do.

I clenched and unclenched my fists, forcing myself to stay composed.

I turned around. My heels clicking against the floor.

Each step heavier than the last.

I had almost reached the exit when I heard a quiet voice from behind- a voice cut through the rage brewing in my chest.

"Ma'am..."

I stopped.

Hope? Or more heartbreak?

I had come here to find Ethan-in this godforsaken place. A filthy hotel. A place I never imagined I'd ever find the man I called my husband. My ever-loyal, ever-faithful husband... or so I thought.

Five years.

Five whole fucking years of marriage. Of love, of sacrifice. Of me fighting for us while he was hiding this.

Ethan, the man who held my hand through sleepless nights, who promised forever. The man who kissed my tears away when the pregnancy tests came back negative. The man who said he'd wait. Who said we'd try again.

And here he was. In a hotel. With someone else.

He didn't just cheat-he perfected the art of hiding it. He fucking trained himself not to get caught. Controlled his urges in front of me. Lied so well, he had me thanking him for being a good husband while he was fucking someone behind my back.

I came here with my heart in my hands.

Now I'm leaving with rage in my veins? Damn!

"I know where they are, ma'am."

I turned fully to the lady, my grip tightening around the golden handbag clutched in my trembling hands. A hotel staff member stood before me, her expression was hard to read.

"Yes, go ahead." My voice was steady, but my forehead was already creased with the weight of my rage and betrayal.

Her heels clicked against the tiled floor as she stepped closer. "Mr. Newton, the man you asked about... He's in one of our rooms. If you'd like, I can take you there."

I let out a slow, shuddering breath. "I know this is against the rules, but... thank you for seeing through my tears."

She hesitated, as if sensing the storm within me, but nodded. She didn't know my story, couldn't possibly understand the nightmare I was about to step into.

"Please. Take me there."

We stepped into an elevator. Each step toward the room felt like a march toward my own destruction. My Goddamn Execution. My heart pounded in my chest, bracing for the horror.

Outside the door, I gave her a single nod. She swiped the key card, the lock clicking open far too easily. Against the rules. I didn't care. Rules didn't matter when your marriage was about to shatter into a million jagged pieces. The door opened a bit.

Then I heard it.

Moans.

Deep, guttural, raw sounds of pleasure. Skin slapping against skin.

Ethan.

The staff member glanced at me, eyes filled with unspoken sympathy. I nodded again. She stepped back-then left.

Great.

She was wise to flee.

I pushed the door open fully, and there he was. My husband. My Ethan. His body tangled with another's.

And then I saw her.

Emelia.

My sister. My own Younger Sister.

"Fuck!" My voice ripped through the air, but nothing could have prepared me for the way they scrambled-the way they both reached for the same sheet, desperate to cover themselves, to erase what I had already seen.

But it was too late.

Too fucking late.

There had always been another woman.

I just never thought it would be her. My own Blood Sister, with my Own husband.

Their eyes widened. Mouths parted.

They didn't expect me. They thought I'd never know. That I'd never find out. Not in this lifetime.

"Sister... um... what are you doing here? I mean-how did you find out..."

My younger sister stuttered, trying to scramble for an excuse.

But I raised my hand. I wasn't here for her pathetic explanation. My eyes were already fixed on the man who stood at the center of this betrayal. My husband.

"Ethan..." My voice trembled, but I held my ground. "How did you end up doing this to me? How long? How long has this fucking been going on?"

A tear rolled down my cheek. I didn't even bother wiping it away. Let them see it. The frustration. The anger. The betrayal. The pain. All fighting for space on my face.

He didn't say a word.

Of course he didn't.

"Fine." I spat the word like poison.

Before either of them could open their mouths again, I turned around and walked out.

I didn't just leave.

I slammed the damn door behind me.