One.

Amanda Pov.

As I carefully wrapped the small gift box in shiny silver paper, my heart raced with excitement. It was our special day. Our fifth anniversary. Marcus and I have been married for five years, and it's been bliss.

I knew he would be thrilled, just like he always was whenever I put in the effort to make him happy. We have been married for five years and I would say it has been full of bliss.

We were both college sweethearts, we dated a few years after college and ended up married soon after. He was the main reason I survived when my Dad brought in Katlyn, my step mother and her daughter Mirabelle. 

But as the hours passed, and Marcus still hadn't returned from work, my excitement slowly turned into worry. I tried calling him, but his phone went straight to voicemail.

 It was already 11pm and he still hasn't returned, my worry increased. This was the first; in time past whenever he had a reason to stay out so late he informed me.

But today was our anniversary and he promised to take me to dinner. What could have possibly gone wrong ?

But as I waited for him to come home, each passing minute felt like an eternity. My heart was pounding faster than a jackhammer and my palms were sweating like crazy. I knew something wasn't right.

"Maybe there was an emergency at work," I told myself, trying to calm my nerves. But deep down, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was terribly wrong. So, gathering all the courage I could muster, I decided to go to his company and find out for myself.

I wasn't going to let my mind go down the train of thoughts it's already sinking in, I trusted Marcus with my life. He was probably hung up on too much work. I could as well take the presents to him. I knew how demanding his company is, running Stanfield Tech and Global Inc was not an easy task.

In the early years of the establishment of the company, I assisted him with shares from my mother's company I run. My mother died when I was eight, I have literally been taking care of myself since then.

When I was eighteen, I took over my mom's company from my Dad, who still loved me despite having brought another woman into the family.

“We have arrived madam.” The driver called me out of my reverie, looking back at me.

I nodded and stepped out of the car. 

"Ms. Smith," my driver said, his voice full of concern. "Perhaps I should come with you. It's not safe to go alone."

I shook my head. "It's my husband's company. I'll be fine. I just need to find him."

With a heavy heart, I stepped into the building, which was strangely quiet for a place that should be bustling with night shifters. The eerie silence was enough to send a shiver down my spine.

I slowly made my way through the dark hallways, each step echoing through the empty corridors.

I slowly pushed open the door to his office chambers which held a mini reception before his inner office.

“Fuck! You taste so sweet Mirabelle, you are my heaven in hell.” 

Those were the words the love of my life muttered with a shaky breath that had my whole life spiraling so fast that I struggled to breathe.

I saw him. Marcus, the man I had loved with all my heart, was ferociously pounding and ravaging Mirabelle like his last meal. I had never experienced such intense emotions when we were having s*x.

I felt frozen on the spot, refusing to believe what I was already seeing. My husband and my step sister having s*x on his office table which I foolishly waited for him to celebrate our anniversary.

 My breath caught in my throat as I watched in disbelief, my heart shattering into a million pieces at the sight before me.

Without thinking, I barged into the room, unable to contain the pain and betrayal that coursed through my veins. Marcus and Mirabelle looked shocked at being caught, but there was no guilt in their eyes, only arrogance and defiance. 

Mirabelle stared at me with a smug smile, while Marcus nonchalantly brushed his disheveled hair back.

“What the hell Marcus?” I screeched, my anger slowly rising. “Did you forget? Today is our damn anniversary, how dare you?!”

“Stop acting like a bitch and get your shits together. Why would Marcus go for a noobie like you ?” Mirabelle sneered at me.

I ignored her, she had always been sly and fought for things I had. Must I add, shamelessly.

I turned my attention to the man who used to be my all in all, tears sprang out of my eyes at will as he stared at me with no single ounce of warmth.

“Why? Why did you do this to me?” Those were the only words I could mutter, my knees felt so weak. 

Marcus simply shrugged. "I never loved you, Amanda," he said coldly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Our marriage was one of convenience, I agreed I enjoyed f**king you most of the time but that doesn't mean I love you, you are just -."

“Don't you dare complete that statement, “ I landed him a deafening slap, but he still remained unfazed.

“The earlier the better for you Amanda, I shouldn't have stringed you on. You can't blame me, your sister is the perfect one for me.” 

“You didn't know she was the perfect one for you when I helped you raise this company up?!” I yelled.

He scoffed. “Don't think I owe you anything Amanda. We were married and everything you did was because you loved me. Thanks to you, my company is standing now, but I do not want to continue deceiving you.”

The words cut deep, like a knife twisting in my chest. I had never imagined that the man I had shared my life with was capable of such heartless betrayal. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me feeling lost and broken.

 Mirabelle had a winning smile on her face. “Sorry sister, the prize is mine this time.”

She stood on her toes, kissing him deeply. He made no move to push her, instead he hoisted her up with his two arms firmly on her a** as he kissed her passionately. 

I couldn't bear the sight, it now became very real. I have been betrayed and my life was seriously going under my control.

Five Month Later.

It was five months down the line and I still felt the painful prick of betrayal on my skin, it made me stay awake at night, made me drown myself in alcohol whenever I get lonely, but ultimately; It made me want to kill Mirabelle.

I haven't spoken to Dad yet about it but I'm sure he knew. After that night, Marcus and Mirabelle weren't hidden anymore, they flaunted their ill-gotten relationship in the media.

“What deep thoughts do you have?” Lucy, my new friend from therapy sessions, walked into her sitting room. I was currently here for some N*****x and chill.

“Just the same murderous thoughts.” I shrugged. 

“Have you tried to know where your father stands in this ?” Lucy asked, settling on a couch. “You are his favorite, he would never want to see you hurt.”

I haven't given that too much thought, because honestly; my Dad's standpoint wasn't the issue. It would be normal for him to side with his wife, but my main anger and rage was on Marcus.

I wasted five years of my life with the wrong man, with a man who was supposed to be my salvation but soon ended up being my destructor. 

“I'm not sure you would like this but I think you have to see this.” She fiddled with her phone, opening up a tweet that read: 

“Billionaire Mar

cus Stanfield, set to wed Mirabelle Capewood in two weeks instead of her sister, Amanda Capewood.”