Chapter 1

~Charlotte 

After a long and exhausting day at work, I slumped into my bed, my hair covering my face. I drifted into sleep, completely oblivious to the fact that I still had my shoes and clothes on.

My peaceful rest was abruptly disrupted by the chime of my phone. Swiftly, I reached for it to check the message. The sender was an unknown number, but the message simply said, "Hey, babe, I'm back. Let's meet at Morgan Guest house. I have a surprise for you."

I was surprised, "Why would Dylan text me with a different line? Could he have lost his phone?" I thought to myself.

Anyway, that doesn't matter. All I care about now is seeing the love of my life, whom I hadn't seen in nearly a year.

Dylan had planned to propose to me earlier last year, but along the way, he traveled to England for his master's degree with a promise to propose upon his return.

Filled with excitement, I eagerly texted back, "Can't wait to see you too, honey," I exclaimed with a radiant smile on my face.

Yawning, I rose from the bed, my mind racing with thoughts about the surprise awaiting me. I absentmindedly rubbed my chin, trying to anticipate what it might be. It suddenly dawned on me, "Could today be the day?" I mused, a gentle smile forming on my face.

I quickly took a shower, got dressed, and then headed to my car. I drove to a gift shop to pick up a welcome back package for Dylan. Dylan appreciates thoughtful gifts, and I like surprising him when he returns from a long trip as it's my unique way of showing my love.

After obtaining the gift, I rushed back to my car and made my way to the Morgan Guest house.

I held a gift bag and a cake box, bearing a sign that read, "Welcome home, my love." Overjoyed, I hummed my favorite song.

As the elevator reached the second floor, I stepped out and made my way to Dylan's room.

Dylan had a favorite room in the guest house, so I headed directly to it. The entire hallway was eerily quiet, and I wanted to surprise Dylan, so I deliberately slowed my pace.

Upon reaching the room, I cautiously attempted to unlock the door using the spare key Dylan had given me. To my surprise, the door was slightly ajar, and I could hear faint noises emanating from inside.

I stood there in disbelief, my eyes fixed on the door, and I slowly pushed it open. To my astonishment, the room was empty, but the sounds were becoming more distinct.

"Harder, Dylan. Oh, yes!"

A woman's voice echoed from Dylan's bathroom, creating an undeniable sense of ambiguity in the air.

I felt like I was on the verge of fainting; my vision spun, and I couldn't comprehend anything.. Despite my self-doubt, I grasped the situation.

"This can't be," I thought. "Did I make a mistake? Maybe I went to the wrong room, but this is room number 307, Dylan's favorite room. Perhaps he decided to move to a different room." My body moved on its own as I entered the parlor, where I unmistakably heard Dylan's voice.

"I love you so much, baby. I love you with all my heart."

But disbelief gripped me. I couldn't understand that the man I'd loved since middle school could do this to me. He couldn't, he absolutely couldn't.

This voice belonged to Dylan. Even if it had been ten or twenty years, I would still recognize it clearly.

"I love you too, Dylan. But what about your brother, Adam? I'm still engaged to him. He'll be back today for the wedding in two days."

"You know how your brother's temper can be. If he finds out about us, he might do something foolish."

"He can't do anything. I'm his brother, and besides, you're carrying my baby. My grandfather wants a grandson. If he finds out, he'll definitely help us convince Adam."

"And what about Charlotte?"

"Forget about that fool. If her father hadn't assisted me a few years ago, I would have sacked her from the Morgan Group a while back.

Eleanor, you're the only one I love. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our baby.

I gave ten years of my life to Dylan, loving him wholeheartedly for ten years. However, what did I receive in return? Betrayal and backstabbing.

Disappointment welled up in my eyes, causing tears to stream down, obscuring my view. The cake I was holding slipped from my hand, tumbling to the ground, along with my basket of welcome home packages containing snacks, sweets, and perfume."

Tears continued to flow down my face as I managed a bittersweet smile amidst emotional turmoil. My heart ached deeply, and I struggled to catch my breath.

"Dylan!" I shouted hysterically, unable to hold back my tears. "You heartless bastard! How could you do this to me?" 

"Why would you do this? You invited me to come see you, knowing full well what you had in mind to do. Is this the surprise you mentioned? I certainly got the surprise, and guess what, you did well," I said, clearly frustrated.

Dylan and his lover remained silent, still trying to figure out who it might be.

After a moment, the bathroom door swung open from the inside, revealing Dylan's calm demeanor as he stepped out, wrapped in only a white towel.

Upon seeing me, tears streamed down my face. He cleared his throat twice and approached me with a slight frown.

Since you've already found out, there's no need for further explanation.

The truth is, I've never loved you, Charlotte. I've always seen you as my younger sister. Eleanor is the only person I have feelings for.

My eyes welled up with large tears, gazing at the person i had loved for ten years, still holding onto a glimmer of hope.

"I have just one question," I said.

"Alright, go ahead," Dylan replied.

"Did you ever truly love me? Over the past ten years, was there any love in your heart for me?" I fixed her gaze upon Dylan , my hands clenched in fists.

"I'm sorry, but I have never loved you Charlotte!" 

A sharp sound cut through the air as my hand met Dylan's cheek. Tears streamed down my face.

"Dylan ! For ten long years, I've loved you. You should've confessed once during that time, I wouldn't have clung to this hope.

Why did you keep me in the dark until now?" I tightly gripped his towel and shouted in anger.

"Dylan , did you intentionally do this? Did you and that woman come here with the purpose of testing my feelings for you?" 

I felt as if my world had crumbled entirely. I couldn't understand this reality. 

I struggled to rip at Dylan's towel, but upon spotting those bite marks on his body, my heart shattered, and tears of despair streamed down my face.

"Charlotte , please, calm down," Dylan implored, his brow furrowing.

"Hey you, Dylan has already confessed that he doesn't love you anymore. There are plenty of good men out there. It's time to let go," Eleanor, draped in Dylan's shirt and boxers, approached us with her long, bare legs. She confidently placed a hand on his shoulder and gazed disdainfully at me.

Eleanor's words once again stoked my anger.

I turned to Eleanor , who was standing by my side. I gripped Eleanor's arm, my gaze fixed on her, and I shouted, "It was you. You're the one who seduced him, right?" My grip on Eleanor's arm remained tight.

My expression appeared shattered as I continued, "Dylan ! It hurts so much."

Eleanor glanced at Dylan , wearing a hurt expression.

"Charlotte , let go! Eleanor is pregnant!" 

Dylan reached out to push me away, concerned for Eleanor and the unborn child.

My grip on Eleanor remained unyielding, as if I had expended all my strength. 

Dylan , fearing for Eleanor's safety, decisively pushed me away.

I staggered a few steps, caught completely off guard, and tumbled backward. There was a resounding thud as the back of my head collided with the table. 

Luckily, as I descended to the ground, I swiftly extended my hand for support, preventing a harsh fall.

A sharp pain emanated from the back of my head, causing an involuntary frown. 

My fingers reached to explore the area, encountering a sticky substance in my hair. 

I held my hand up to my eyes and found it stained with blood.

I was shocked!

"Charlotte , are you alright?" Dylan was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. He rushed to my side and extended his hand to help me up.

"Let her go!" A cold, male voice suddenly echoed from the doorway.