Entangled with the Congressman

"No..." Aliyah's mind screamed. She couldn't believe she was standing in front of a sight that was slowly destroying her world.

Two naked bodies lay on the bed-entwined, joined together. The woman was sweating, grinding as she rode the man lying beneath her. Their loud, feverish moans were like sharp knives repeatedly stabbing Aliyah's heart, slicing her into pieces.

She wanted to charge in. She wanted to destroy everything in front of her. But she couldn't move. It was as if her feet were nailed to the floor, while her mind flipped back and forth-should she run away or confront the pain?

With a cold, trembling hand, she slowly closed the door. She shook as she stepped away, but she found that she couldn't just leave. She had to face them. She had to see the face of the man she loved as she stripped him of his lies.

She didn't know how many minutes-or hours-she'd been standing in the living room, but when the bedroom door opened, all the strength she had left left her body.

Her eyes widened.

Benedict looked like he'd been doused in cold water, paling in shock at the sight of her. But what shattered Aliyah's world even more was the woman who stepped out of the room behind him.

No... Impossible...

"A-Aleli..." she whispered, barely able to hear her own voice through the dryness of her throat. It was like trying to swallow sand.

The woman standing before her-the one who had just come out of Benedict's room, wearing a silk robe that hung loosely open-was her own sister.

"W-What..."

But before she could even form a question, Benedict cut her off.

"Aliyah, what are you doing here?!" His voice was filled with irritation, as if she was the one in the wrong. He casually adjusted his disheveled bathrobe, but she noticed the red marks on his neck and chest. Aleli didn't even bother to cover up, her ample chest barely concealed by the robe's loosely tied sash.

Trembling with rage, Aliyah stepped closer. "What am I doing here?" she laughed bitterly. "Shouldn't I be the one asking that? What are you doing here? What are you doing with my sister?!"

Instead of showing guilt, Aleli smirked. There was mockery in her expression, even a hint of seduction.

"Isn't it obvious, Aliyah?" she said playfully, letting out a mocking laugh. "We're an item. Actually, we just finished having sex."

Aleli looked at Benedict with no shame, gently caressing his shoulder and giving him a sweet smile-as if to prove she had won.

Then she turned back to Aliyah, her eyes gleaming with cruelty.

"You're really stupid, aren't you, Aliyah?"

Aliyah's vision darkened. The anger she had tried so hard to contain finally exploded.

"You bitch!" she screamed, her body shaking with fury. "How could you sleep with and steal the man you knew was your sister's boyfriend?!"

Aleli let out a laugh, not even pretending to feel remorse. She looked entertained by Aliyah's pain.

"Oh, come on, Aliyah," she rolled her eyes. "I never stole anything from you. Did it never occur to you that maybe he came to me?"

"You have no decency!" Aliyah shouted, trembling.

Before she could say anything else, Benedict stepped toward her, his face full of annoyance.

"Don't blame Aleli, Aliyah. Do you know whose fault this is? Yours."

She froze. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was he insane?

"W-What?"

Benedict's eyes darkened with resentment and contempt. "You're the reason I drifted away. You're always busy, always cold, always have some excuse! Do you know how boring our relationship became? All you ever did was try to be perfect-in your job, in your life. But what about me? When did you ever think about me?"

That was his reason? Because she was busy? Because she wanted to be perfect?

Yes, it was true. She did everything she could. She tried to be perfect because she wanted to be worthy of him. He came from a prominent family, while she was from the middle class. She only wanted to belong.

But was that really enough reason to betray her? Enough to crush her soul?

She loved him. She loved him so much.

If he were a decent man, he would have ended things properly. Not cheat on her with her sister.

Fury rose in her chest.

"Damn you, Benedict! You're blaming me for your betrayal?! Are you seriously saying this is my fault? Did it never occur to you that a relationship isn't just about sex? That there are more important things than lust?"

Aleli chuckled, mocking her. "And that's exactly why he left you, Aliyah. Because you're worthless as a woman."

Aliyah couldn't believe her own sister's cruelty. Her hand flew before she could stop it-landing hard on Aleli's cheek.

Aleli turned to her, shocked and furious. But before she could retaliate, Benedict stepped in.

"What right do you have to hurt her?!" he yelled before pushing Aliyah hard. She stumbled backward, nearly falling from the force.

And right in front of her, Benedict embraced Aleli, gently caressing her back as if soothing a pouting child.

"I love your sister, Aliyah." Benedict's voice was cold and firm. "We've been over for a long time."

It was like she went deaf. Like she drowned in a sea of pain and betrayal.

She leaned against the wall, holding back the tears swelling in her eyes. After two years of loving this man, was this really how it would end?

She had wasted two years of her life loving him.

She took a deep breath. There was one thing she was sure of now-she would never let them win.

Aliyah lifted her head and looked straight at them. She had no intention of begging. She had no intention of showing them how broken she was. She couldn't bear the thought of letting them see her world crumbling beneath her strength.

She didn't say goodbye. She didn't look back. She silently turned and walked out of Benedict's condo, hiding the trembling of her hands. But with every step toward the elevator, her chest grew heavier, like a tidal wave of emotion threatening to swallow her whole.

Once inside the elevator, she immediately pressed the button to the lobby. And the moment the doors closed, her tears finally fell.

She tried to suppress her sobs, tried to stifle the sounds that might be heard by others. But she couldn't stop the shaking of her shoulders. She shut her eyes tightly, trying to control the pain, but her tears were like an open faucet-uncontrolled and unending.

In the middle of her weeping, the elevator dinged. The doors opened.

A man stepped in.

Aliyah immediately shrank into a corner, trying to hide her face with her hands. She felt so ashamed. She didn't know how pitiful she must have looked to the stranger who had just entered.

But then, the man handed her something.

A handkerchief.

Aliyah paused. Slowly, she looked up, and despite her blurred vision from the tears, she couldn't stop the awe rising within her when she finally saw him clearly.

He was tall. His eyes were sharp, but not in a frightening way-there was a strange depth behind them. His nose was straight, his lips thin and slightly curved-not quite smiling, not entirely serious. His face looked like it had been carved by a skilled sculptor, almost unnaturally perfect.

His voice was baritone when he spoke. "Use this."

She silently took the handkerchief and gently wiped her face. The man didn't pressure her to speak, nor did he ask questions.

She was grateful for the silence.

The elevator continued its descent in silence-until the doors opened again, signaling they had reached the lobby.

Just before she stepped out, the man finally spoke again.

"A woman as stunning as you should never shed a tear for a man too weak to cherish and love you the way you deserve. He's nothing but worthless trash-beneath you in every way."

Aliyah blinked, stunned by his words.

She was about to respond, but the elevator doors were already closing-and just before they shut completely, she saw him smile.

A smile that sent an unfamiliar flutter through her chest.

"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.

"Ugh..."

Aliyah stirred as her body moved slightly, a sharp pain washing over her.

She slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she noticed was the ceiling-luxurious, intricately designed, with a modern chandelier hanging from it. It wasn't familiar.

She abruptly sat up, her eyes scanning the room. It was spacious, lavish, and clearly owned by a man. The gray and black interior, the minimalist yet elegant design, and the scent of expensive cologne in the air, all of it spoke of wealth and power.

"Where am I?" she whispered to herself, touching her temple.

Then suddenly, the memories came rushing back. The chaos in her family, Benedict's betrayal, the overwhelming emotions that had made her cry. Her escape that night. The blinding headlights of the car. The horn. The fear.

She had almost been run over...

Who saved her?

Before she could come up with an answer, the door opened.

She turned to look, and a tall, handsome man entered the room. He wore a fitted black long-sleeve shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the collar, revealing his chiseled chest. His posture exuded authority, and his presence seemed to weigh down the space.

Her eyes widened.

"You?!"

There was no mistake.

This man, the stranger standing in front of her, was the same one who had handed her a handkerchief in the elevator the night she caught Benedict and Aleli.

He smiled quietly, one hand in his pocket, his gaze cool and piercing.

"Good. You're awake."

His baritone voice echoed in her ears, deep and tinged with confidence.

Who was this man, really? And why was she here?

Aliyah blinked, still unable to believe the situation.

"Who are you?" she asked, unable to hide her hesitation.

He stepped closer and introduced himself.

"Conner Sudalga."

Her lips parted slightly. The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't remember where she'd heard it before.

"I was the one who almost ran into you last night," he continued, watching her reaction.

"I saw you running down the street, you were crying, completely out of it. You probably didn't even notice my car coming. Good thing I hit the brakes just in time."

She gasped. What he said was true, that was the last thing she remembered before losing consciousness.

"When you collapsed on the road, you didn't move. So I brought you here and called a doctor. Fortunately, you didn't suffer any serious injuries. You were just exhausted, and your blood pressure dropped," he said in a calm voice.

"Thank you," she replied, slightly pulling back. Even if she wasn't sure whether to be afraid or grateful, it was only right to show that she wasn't easily swayed by a sense of indebtedness.

Conner sat on the edge of the bed, leaning forward slightly as he looked at her seriously.

"Are you hungry?"

She actually was, but didn't know if she should admit it.

"Do you want to eat here, or will you come downstairs to join me for breakfast?" he asked, with no hint of pressure.

She glanced at him again. There was something strangely alluring in the way he spoke, a quiet confidence she couldn't quite understand.

Should she go downstairs? Or was it safer to stay in the room?

She chose to trust Conner. She had nowhere else to go, and if he had bad intentions, he could've done something last night, when she was completely defenseless. Instead, he'd called a doctor for her.

"Alright," she finally replied.

"I'll come down."

A smile curved on Conner's lips before he helped her out of the room. As they descended the grand staircase, Aliyah couldn't help but be in awe. From the elegant chandelier casting a soft glow throughout the house, to the spacious interiors and luxurious furniture-it was clear this man wasn't just anybody.

When they reached the dining area, she froze for a moment.

A long table greeted her, filled with a lavish spread. There were various dishes-gourmet meals that clearly weren't just ordered from a restaurant. Steak, roasted chicken, pasta, different types of bread, and fruits. In the center, a bottle of expensive wine stood tall.

But despite the luxurious table, it was only her and Conner.

"Looks like you overdid it," she couldn't help but say.

"No, not really," he replied with a light laugh in his voice. "I want to make sure you eat properly."

She swallowed. It was the first time someone had shown that kind of concern for her, or maybe she just wasn't used to being taken care of.

She sat in one of the chairs, facing Conner. Quietly, she watched him as he served her food. Despite his stern presence, there was something charismatic about his movements-a silent force that seemed to wrap around a person without them even realizing.

"Eat," he said softly.

As she slowly began to eat, she couldn't help but wonder.

Who really was Conner Sudalga? And why did their meeting feel too perfectly timed?

While eating in silence, her gaze wandered to a large portrait hanging on one side of the dining area. Her brows furrowed. There were three people in the photo-Conner, an older woman, and...

Her body jolted. The utensils slipped from her hands with a clatter against the plate. Her glass almost spilled.

Benedict.

She stood up abruptly, nearly knocking over her chair.

"What does this mean?" she asked in a low but firm voice, her tone trembling.

Conner noticed the direction of her gaze and leaned back slowly in his chair, as if unsurprised by her reaction.

"Ah, so you noticed."

She couldn't speak. Her eyes returned to the portrait-to Benedict's familiar face, and the woman she didn't recognize. Suddenly, the room felt smaller, each second heavier, the silence between them turning into a loud, unanswered question.

"What's your connection to Benedict?" she asked in a whisper, tension laced in every word.

"He's my nephew."

She froze at his words. She blinked, trying to process what she just heard. Nephew? That meant... he was related to Benedict?

Before she could react again, Conner spoke-wasting no time letting her ask.

"I've known who you were from the beginning, Aliyah." He paused, studying her before continuing. "I know you were Benedict's first girlfriend before he courted your sister. I also know how he betrayed you."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. How did Conner know all of this?

Shocked, she gripped the edge of the table. Goosebumps rose along her arms.

"H-How did you find out?" she asked weakly, confused by the situation.

Conner smiled, but it wasn't the smile of someone pleased-it was the smile of someone holding a secret.

"It's simple. Because there are things you still don't know about him-and even more that you don't know about me."

"I'm leaving."

Aliyah said flatly as she abruptly pushed her chair back and stood. She felt like she was being played by the uncle and nephew. She couldn't understand why Conner had to interfere in her life, and even more, why she was here now-in the house of a man she barely knew.

But before she could take a step, Conner spoke-a single sentence that made her freeze in place.

"Marry me."