1– Betrayals and Decisions

Lily’s world shattered like fragile glass, piercing her heart with every jagged shard. Her body stood frozen, rooted to the spot as her mind spiraled, trying to make sense of the scene in front of her.

She’s by the door, staring at her best friend and the love of her life as they shamefully attempt to shield their nakedness, their betrayal from her.

Her eyes stung with tears but she couldn’t let them fall, there was no way she could’ve let herself break apart so easily. But even without the tears, one could easily spot her pain.

Her pain shows in the way her eyes are moving around in rapid motion, in the way her heart hammers her throat like a wild animal, in the way her fists are tight by her sides.

Her mind reels back to the loggerheads she’s been in with her father since she refused his proposal, how she was willing to throw away her family for this boy who promised her a future.

She had a feeling that he wasn’t worth that much sacrifice, but she allowed her stupid, stupid heart to lead the way. Now, all that she feared displays right before her own eyes.

“I can explain,” Austin, her boyfriend says, his voice panicked. Lily looks over at her best friend, Grace, hoping to find something to hold onto, something to put her mind at ease with, but Grace looks so relaxed, almost looking like she’s forcing herself not to laugh.

Understanding dawns on Lily, forcing her to nod her head, a scoff breezing through her lips. “How long?” She asks simply.

Austine and Grace share a look, and their silence right after tells Lily all she needs to know. Still, her desperation to hear of their betrayal loud and clear remains.

Her eyes intent on Austin’s, Lily intends to lash out on the boy she loves with her heart, but before she’s able to get her words in, she changes her mind.

Austin doesn’t owe her an explanation. No. He’s just a boy she met two years ago. But Grace is a sister—a friend turned sister.

It is Grace’s betrayal that hurts her the most.

She turns to Grace, and when their eyes lock, she loses the ability to hold back those tears that have been fighting to be let out. “I was only seven when my mother died, Grace,” her voice stumbles on sorrow, “and you were one of the few people who showed me unconditional love. I trusted you because you earned it. Why? Why have you gone and broken my trust and my heart?”

Grace rolls her eyes at her best friend of a lifetime. “I don’t owe you an explanation as to why this happened, Lily. Perhaps the best option for you is to have this discussion with your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my sister,” she hushes, “you are. You are my sister, my best friend. When he came to me asking to be my boyfriend, I brought him to you first and asked for your approval. That is how much I love and trust you. So why?”

“I don’t know,” Grace answers nonchalantly as she slides out of the messy bed, no longer bothering to cover her nakedness. She moves to the mirror and begins tracing her delicate figure with the tip of her fingers as she continues to taunt Lily with her nonchalance. “Maybe he saw you for the self absorbed bitch that you are, maybe he finally came to a realization that I am a better woman for him, that he needs me more than he needs an entitled bitch like you, I don’t know for sure. But he’s right there, isn’t he? You can ask him.”

Lily bites her lip. a wary smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, her eyes shifting to her panicked boyfriend. “How long ago did you come to this realization, Austin?”

“W-what?” Austin stammers.

“How long ago did you come to a realization that you’re better off with Grace than with me? I mean, when did this affair begin?”

Austin goes to speak, Grace beats him to it. “One year ago, Lily, on your birthday, right on your very luxurious bed while you were making your rounds with your father’s business partners.”

If Lily thought she felt any pain before, then the pain she feels now knows no bounds. She fights hard to keep her expression stoic, but her muscles fail her.

For a second, her mind dulls. But she catches herself before she falls too deep into a hole of pain.

She flashes a smile at her. . . Ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend before turning and exiting the building.

As she approaches her car, the driver opens the back door for her and she gently gets in as she urges her kind to remain calm.

Calm.

Calm.

She needs to be calm. They’ve done their bit, they’ve broken her heart, but she’s intelligent enough to know that spiraling will do her no good.

Her turn will come when she’ll get her revenge, but until then, she needs to remain calm.

The drive to her father’s estate passes by in a haze. But once she steps a foot down on the ground, she heads straight for her father’s office with just one goal in mind.

In front of her father’s office, Lily places a single knock on the door before pushing it open and stepping inside.

Her father, Mr. Daniels looks up from the paper in his hand and pins his daughter a glare. “Not now, Lily.”

“Hi Dad, how are you today?” Lily asks, her voice enthusiastic, causing her father’s brows to furrow suspiciously.

“We’re not going to have a conversation until you’ve agreed to my proposal, Lilian Daniels.”

“Exactly why I’ve come, my dearest father.” She replies.

Mr. Daniels quickly drops the paper and pays her his full attention, his brows raised as he waits for her to speak.

“Your friend,” Lily begins, “Axel George, is it?”

With a hum, her father nods.

“Tell him I’m now ready to become his wife. The announcement can be made during my birthday ball tomorrow’s evening.”