1: The Betrayal

Avery

“Mrs. Avery, you will be called up to the podium to give your speech soon. Do you need me to help you go over everything again?” My secretary inquired as she walked up to me in a hurry holding my phone in her hands.

“There will be no need for that. I went over everything already,” I assured her. I had done that several times over because I knew how important today’s event was. It was an inaugural party held in my honor to take over the family’s business that has been in existence for generations as the new and approved CEO.

My eyes skimmed the crowd of influential men dressed in impeccable suits with eye-pleasing-looking women clinging to their arms. The paparazzi and Journalists were scattered around the room, ready with their cameras as their keen eyes darted around for any inside scoop. However, I couldn’t see my husband Ethan anywhere among the crowd.

“Have you seen my husband?” I inquired glancing towards my secretary once again.

She shook her head, her brows furrowed. “No Mrs Avery. The last time I saw Mr Pierce was when you came in together.” He had been by my side but he disappeared a while back. I was bursting with nerves and I needed him by my side if I was to make any speech without ruining it.

“I will find him.”

“But Mrs. Pierce, you are going to get called any minute now,” she replied worriedly but I was already making my way upstairs.

“I will find him and be back before I get called,” I responded. I glanced across the numerous rooms and the elevator not knowing where to start my search from.

I noticed a waiter approaching. “Excuse me, have you seen my husband anywhere?” The hotel belonged to my family and they all recognized me.

“I saw him use the elevator to the fifth floor,” he replied politely. I thanked him and walked towards the elevator. I got in and pressed the fifth-floor button. It opened with a ding. I wondered if he was in a business meeting with another prospective business partner. I walked towards the end of the hall but then I heard voices coming from the third room. I tried opening the door and it clicked open. The voices sounded muffled but I could make out some sounds. I slowly walked into the room.

“Yes! That’s it! Right there!”

I frowned. That voice. I recognized it. Walking past the living room, I headed towards the closed room where the voice was coming from.

“Ethan baby! Faster!”

My hand dropped from the door in shock. My mind reeled as I struggled to comprehend the scene before me. I squeezed my eyes shut, shook my head then opened them again. But the image before me remained the same. My throat worked as I searched for words, but nothing came out. I just stood and stared in silence shocked at the sight of my husband buried balls deep in my sister. They didn’t even notice I was there till he caught sight of me in the mirror.

“Shit Avery!” Ethan cursed springing off the bed and struggling with the sheets to cover his nude self.

I shook my head. “N…no, this can’t be true,” I muttered slowly backing away in my heels. Sasha crossed her arms in front of her and stared back at me with a nonchalant expression. I had no idea what I was supposed to do or how to react. Sasha was my baby sister. If there was anyone I trusted more than myself, it was her. I didn’t think I would ever catch her pants down with my…

I couldn’t even bring myself to say it. What reason would Ethan have to do this to me? We were happily married. We’ve been for years and there have been no problems between us. Then why?

“Oh my God,” I mumbled in a shaky breath.

“Avery…”

I turned around to leave but my hand knocked down a vase. I ignored it and ran out of the room. He didn’t come after me. None of them did. During the course of running in a dazed mind, I slipped and crashed into someone’s chest hard.

“Are you okay?” The person I crashed into asked as he tried to steady me. I looked up at him through my heavy-lidded lashes and it was none other than Nathaniel Hart. The CEO of Hart Corporation. Aside from being the most sought-after business partner, we also had a history. I knew he had a crush on me when we were in high school because he told me about it but I was never interested in him. I had rejected him without a second thought. His piercing green eyes stared back at me inquisitively.

Of all the people I had to meet up with in this messed up state of mine, why did it have to be him? I pulled my hand from his hold roughly. I tried to walk past him but he grabbed my arm again.

“You don’t look okay. Is everything fine?” he asked, his jaw clenched.

“I’m fine. Leave me alone!” I retorted raising my voice. We’ve always ignored each other after high school. I had no idea why he was being so inquisitive all of a sudden. I pulled away from his hold and rushed down the stairs. The sound of laughter and clinking glass resounded in my ears. I was so caught up in my own world that I had completely forgotten I was at my event.

“Avery darling. Where on earth have you been?” My mum asked turning me towards her. I was about to make my way towards her but I was glad she got to me first.

“Mum,” I called out in a shaky tone.

“We’ve been looking for you but you were nowhere in sight. It’s your party. You shouldn’t disappear like that,” she continued.

“Great. You found the star of the day,” my dad said walking towards us.

“I sure did. She will be giving her speech any time now. We need to make sure she’s ready,” she replied with a smile.

“Of course she is. She has the blood of the Montgomery family running through her veins. She’s been ready since she was born,” Dad answered proudly.

“Mum, Dad,” I called out in a more firm and urgent tone. I was going through a major crisis right now. I wasn’t concerned about any speech.

“Avery dear, you look rather pale. What’s the problem? Are you nervous about facing all these people?” Mum inquired curiously.

I shook my head, tears stinging my eyelids. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do Mum. My heart is in so much pain.” I didn’t know what it was that was keeping me put together but I guess when there were hundreds of reporters waiting to catch any tiny little detail about your life, it would make anyone cautious even in the worst situations.

“You don’t have to be nervous. You have us here with you. I gave you some nerve-calming pills. Did you take them?” Mum asked again. Oh yes. Maybe the pills were the ones keeping me from screaming the roof down on us all.

“You don’t understand. It’s about Ethan and…Sasha.” They both glanced at each other before looking towards me.

“Tonight is an important one Avery. Whatever it is that is going on, can wait. We will sort it out later,” Dad declared.

“Dad, it can’t wait. I caught them together in a room,” I said trying to keep myself from breaking down into tears as I recalled the scene again.

“Like your dad said, Avery. We will discuss this when we get home after the party. Now is not the time or place to discuss family matters,” Mum assured. Before I could speak, a voice beat me to it.

“Allow me to introduce the next CEO of Montgomery Enterprise, the president of Montgomery Pharmaceuticals. Mrs. Avery Montgomery!” I heard my name being announced. People cheered and clapped enthusiastically.

“Go on Avery. Don’t keep the guests waiting,” Dad probed ushering me towards the podium. Here I was trying to inform them about the major crisis I was currently going through but no one was listening to me. A stage light was set on me drawing everyone’s attention. I had no choice but to make my way to the podium even though my mind was blank and I had no idea what I was going to say.

Immediately I stepped my feet on the stairs leading to the stage, the cheers ceased and mumbling ensued.

“What is going on?”

“What are they doing here?”

“Mrs. Avery Montgomery?” Someone called out my name. I turned around with no interest only to be met with a badge to my face.

“We are from the special investigation team and we are here to take you in for questioning,” the man holding the badge to my face introduced.

“You are under investigation for the distribution of fake and illegal drugs that has brought harm to people and caused unrest in the city,” he added just as two cops stepped in front of me. The murmurs got louder and the paparazzi clicked pictures of the moment excitedly. I was dumbfounded. What was going on?B