Utter Betrayal And Humiliation

Athena (Seven Years Ago)

The twins, my younger siblings, Jack and Lilly were laughing so hard they could barely stand. Without having to ask, I knew that they had played a role in my predicament.

I felt betrayed and humiliated. Although my body was aching, my heart felt as if it was being pierced by a thousand glass shards. My breath hitched and my chest felt constricted. Of their own volition, my eyes discharged the salty wetness, only utter pain induces.

I did not scream, yell or sob. I just sat there quietly watching as the twins mocked me. As if that were not enough, another group of people entered. Just like the twins, they also seemed utterly pleased to see me in such a humiliating state.

The worst thing is, I recognized all of them. They were the children of the richest families in Sunshine City. The one who was at the forefront was Dante, the first scion of the Grahams. Followed by Daryl, his younger brother. I am also shocked to see the person I considered a friend be part of them.

Her name Was Cheryl, the second daughter of the Callahan family. She was accompanied by her brother, Charles Callahan, the scion of the family. These two families were at a higher status than mine in Sunshine City. Our family ranked third, in wealth.

The Kays family was the fourth-richest family in Sunshine City. Donna, their daughter was a good friend of mine. I wondered why all of them were here but a comment from Cheryl cleared everything up for me.

"Wow! You are really the terrible twins you two. When I received the video from our group, I just had to come and see it for myself. I am glad that you finally managed to bring the aloof, belle of the whole of Sunshine City down. Ha! There is no coming back from this."

Cheryl starts laughing hysterically and then she walks towards me. When I saw her walk in, I was relieved because I thought that she would help me as her friend. But alas, I was wrong. She came to gloat and mock me.

I thought that Cheryl, Donna, and I were the best of friends. Almost like sisters. Sadly, I knew then that I was wrong. Standing in front of me, she spat on my face and I was shocked to my core.

"Cheryl? Why?"

"Haha, why, she asks. Did you all hear her guys? Well, I will be brutally honest with you. I have always despised you. From the day you rejected my brother's proposal, I have been waiting to pull you down. I hate you for your beauty and intelligence. You have everything yet you like to act like a saint. So, if you must know, I was in this plot to bring you down.

We just never had the perfect excuse. But when my brother saw that tramp that is lying dead next to you, Dante said he would be perfect for our plan. Initially, we wanted to drug you and let you sleep with one of the old second-class men, but that would have been merciful.

Because the man would have been able to take you in and set you up. We did not want your life to be comfortable. So, this scrawny-looking tramp, turned out to be the best of choices. Not only does he have nothing, but he is also a nobody. An orphan whom no one cares about.

Now that he has defiled you, it will be a stain on your reputation and beauty. Hahaha! The beauty queen has fallen. Ptu!"

I could not believe my ears! So this was premeditated! Ha! I felt really dirty and incapable. Dante looked at me and scoffed.

"So you rejected me for a scum like this huh? Well, you left me no choice but to go for your sister instead. Once she reaches eighteen, I will get engaged to her and marry her by the end of the year. You are finished, Athena. No one will want damaged goods like you."

With that, he walked towards Lilly and kissed her with so much passion. That did not bother me at all. I never liked him. I watched as their bodyguards bundled up the lifeless body of the guy they used to bring me down.

Something in me refused to believe that he was dead. I chose to believe his words. I prayed that he would survive and come back for me as he promised. Barely five minutes after the bodyguards took him away, the door was kicked open by someone.

Donna walked in, flanked by her bodyguards. She quickly took off her coat and rushed to cover me. Then she hugged me and started crying while murmuring how sorry she was.

"I am sorry, Athena, I am so sorry, I am late. I was out of the city, otherwise, I would have stopped you from falling into their wicked snare. I am sorry my dear."

At least I still have one person who believes in me. I hugged her back, but no tears fell from my eyes. I guess I was too numb to cry. Donna sniffled and helped me up. Then she glared at everyone and gave them a stern warning.

"One day, you all will get your retribution. Not only have you damaged Athena's life, but you have all committed murder! Karma is real. I hope you will remember this. If you do not atone for your sins and make things right, I am afraid that your ending will be gruesome."

Then she turned to me and her tone changed dramatically. She was gentle and loving.

"Boris, help me carry Athena. I do not think she can walk in this state. Bring her to the car. I am taking her home with me. As for these idiots, do not lay a finger on them. Their retribution is coming. Let them gloat for now."

Donna's family may be the fourth wealthiest, but they are not to be trifled with. They are a military family. Her grandfather is the former Brigadier General and her dad is the current Brigadier General of the army. Therefore, in terms of strength, none of the affluent families dare provoke them.

That is the reason why she managed to carry me out of that place. All the way to her house, she kept apologizing for being away and arriving too late. She asked if I wanted to make a police report and I refused it. What would I say to the police?

"Donna, they said the type of drug they gave me cannot be detected. Also, what crime do I report? Rape? Yet I know that the boy is also a victim. I cannot do that, Donna. All I can do is bear this humiliation for the rest of my life."

"I will not allow you to sink into despair like that, Athena. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. You will rise above this and make a name for yourself. The best revenge is for you to become so powerful that they will all grovel at your feet someday. I will not allow you to let this overshadow your bright future. We will go through this together."

From that day onwards, I had a newfound respect for my friend. She became more than a sister to me. True to her word, Donna has stood by me since then. She was there when my father, after he was shown the video of my so-called despicable character, disowned me and threw me out of the house with nothing.

I suffered a mental breakdown. Not only did I lose my dignity, but I also lost my family in the process. After I went home, my father did not even allow me to enter the house. He threw every belonging of mine outside and kicked me out like a stray dog. I knew then, that if I wanted things to change, I would have to go far away and start afresh. Donna helped, of course.