Kourtney Allen typed in the password of her fiancĂŠ's luxury penthouse excitedly. It was an automated door, and her birthdate was the code to unlock it. She couldn't wait to see the surprised look on Brandon's face when he sees her, especially because she dressed so well for him.
Kourtney was eager to spend quality time with him, having returned two days earlier from the women's empowerment conference she attended in another state. Besides, they would be getting married in three weeks.She kept daydreaming about the joyous wedding, the warm embrace, and the loving words they would exchange at the altar.However, she was blissfully unaware of the heart-wrenching scene that awaited her.Her happy footsteps came to a standstill when she heard faint sounds emanating from the bedroom. A sinking feeling instantly settled in the pit of her stomach. It was the voice of a man and a woman in the heat of passion.Pain and anger rose within her depths as she pushed open the door with a bang, revealing a scene that shattered her heart into a million pieces. Her worst fears were realized in that devastating moment. It was simply beyond anything her wildest dreams or nightmares could conjure.The air was heavy with the scent of betrayal, and the carpet looked messy, with things scattered all over it. She saw red high heels, a beige dress, a bra, and panties. Men's clothing was also littered around.And then, tangled in the sheets on the king-size bed were Brandon and her younger sister, Kathlyn Allen. Shock thundered through Kourtney's entire being, rendering her frozen and paralyzed for a moment."Why?" she finally managed to croak. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over."Brandon, how could you?"Her no-good fiancĂŠ, Brandon Smith, sat up on the bed, his face displaying a mix of guilt and indifference after being caught in the act. But he quickly shook off the feeling of remorse and breath a sigh of relief instead. He had already been planning to break off the shitty engagement with Kourtney for a while now, but he was too chickenhearted to bring up the discussion. Perhaps, her finding out like this was for the better!He finally met her gaze, his expression hardening."Kourtney, you've been extremely unexciting lately. As dull as a corpse! Iâm sick and tired of you. So, it's best if we break up.âHis cruel words struck Kourtney like a dagger to her heart. Her eyes widened in complete disbelief."How... How could you say that to me? After everything we've been through? You're the one who proposed to me. You promised me a future together, and I trusted you.âBrandonâs expression remained cold and indifferent, his tone devoid of pity or even guilt. "I'm sorry, Kourtney. I should never have proposed to you in the first place. Kathlyn is the one I truly love, not you.âKourtney's hand instinctively clutched at her chest as if trying to calm the physical ache and emotional torture she was experiencing. The betrayal felt even more painful for her as it came from someone she considered family. Her very own flesh and blood...âMy... my own sister?" Kourtney's voice cracked as she glanced briefly at her younger sister.Kathlyn has been silently watching their exchange with keen interest while wearing a cruel, triumphant smirk."Oh, come on, Kourtney, it's not my fault Brandon loves me. He finally realized just how boring you are. You were never good enough for him to begin with. Iâve always been the one he desired.â Kathlynâs voice dripped with satisfaction, delighting in the pain she had caused.Kourtney's expression turned into rage and disgust now. It was not the first time Kathlyn was doing something like this to her, so she wasnât in any way surprised.Flashbacks of their high school years flooded her mind. Eight years ago, when they were ages sixteen and fifteen, Kathlyn intentionally dated a boy she liked and kissed him in front of the entire school. This happened less than a week after Kourtney revealed him to be her crush. The sisters grew very distant ever since then.And now Kathlyn did it again, not with a mere crush but with her beloved fiancĂŠ with whom she had already begun to plan a grand wedding. The invitation cards had already been sent out to friends and well-wishers.Even her gorgeous and exquisite wedding gown has already been custom-made and sent over by her favorite designer. Her dream wedding dress, which she wouldn't be able to wear anymore.Tears trickled down her face freely as the height of their betrayal weighed in.Kathlyn grinned wickedly, taking pleasure in Kourtney's agony. Her eyes glinted with malicious joy as she noticed Kourtneyâs tears."You know, Sis, he was eager to taste what he was missing all these years. And let me tell you, he found it with me."Kourtney felt humiliation gushing within her. She wanted to scream, to lash out at both of them for their cruelty, but she couldn't find the words.The betrayal was too overwhelming, but she managed to ignore Kathlynâs wounding insults and turned her attention back to Brandon. The man she had once thought was her soulmate, was now a total stranger with a cold heart. A heartless and selfish bastard!"Brandon, you've shown me your true colors as a despicable person. Just know that your actions have destroyed the love I had for you. And Iâm calling off our wedding. Enjoy!"Without sparing another glance at either of them, Kourtney turned away and shot the bedroom door behind her with a bang. She clutched her chest as if trying to physically hold the pieces of her shattered heart together. Hot tears streamed down her face as she stumbled down the staircase. Her legs felt weak, but she pushed forward, determined to get away from this nightmare.With every step she took, the pain intensified, making it hard to breathe. She was heartbroken, and her trust shattered to pieces.She couldn't help but question her worth, wondering if indeed, she was as boring and unexciting as Brandon and Kathlyn had claimed. Everyone knew she was an introverted person, unlike her sister who craved attention wherever she went. She always felt like an invisible shadow compared to her vibrant younger sister.Kathlyn effortlessly captivates almost everyone she meets with her outgoing personality and charm. Even their parents didn't hide that Kathlyn was their favorite child and it hurt her deeply.Kourtney had dedicated three years of her life to this relationship, only to be blindsided by this painful betrayal. Her little sister and the man who promised to love her for the rest of her life.âWhy I'm I always getting cheated on?â Kourtney thought as she left the mansion, her world in tatters, but that was just the tip of the iceberg.**********âMom... Dad?â Kourtney called out desperately the moment she entered their family mansion. It was a miracle that she was able to drive back home safely amidst the excess tears blurring her vision. This time, as Kourtney entered the familiar walls of their house, the silence seemed to suffocate her.She was breaking apart and needed her parentsâ love and support now more than ever. She couldn't wait to tell them what Kathlyn had done so they would realize just how evil she was. She hoped they would take her side and comfort her lovingly.After what seemed like forever, her mother, Margaret Allen, emerged from the living room. Luke Allen, her father, followed closely behind holding his favorite Forbes Magazine, his expression stern and grave."Kourtney? What's wrong, Sweetheart?" Margaret asked, her voice filled with worry.Kourtney's throat felt tight, and it was hard to find the words to express the pain she was going through.âMommy... Dad, I... I caught Brandon and Kathlyn. I caught them in bed together with my own eyes! They were having an affair behind my back...âKourtney finally choked out, her voice trembling with despair as she relieved the heart-wrenching moment all over again.She expected shock, disbelief, or even outrage from her parents because she knew them too well. But what she saw on their faces was something entirely different.Margaret's expression displayed a complex mix of sadness and guilt, while Luke's stern gaze remained unwavering as if he just heard something normal. There was no shock or surprised look on their faces as she expected, only a knowing look that left Kourtney confused.She soon realized the painful truth: âThey already knew!!!â"You... You knew?âNeither one of them replied, but the look on their faces gave the answer away. The revelation struck Kourtney like a bolt of lightning. She swallowed hard, trying to comprehend the situation unfolding before her.Numerous questions popped into her head while her entire body shook and trembled. How could they have known about the betrayal and not said anything? Was it possible that her parents had been supporting Kathlyn, their favorite daughter, to go after her man all along?Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to find her voice."How... How long have you two known?"Before Kourtney could respond, he stepped out of the car, circling around to open her door with that gentlemanly flair sheâd come to expect.The man was spoiling her rotten!And why not?His hand extended, and she couldnât help but smile. It was such a âSebastianâ thingâalways treating her like a princess and caring for her in ways that made her feel like she was living in a dream.But the moment her heels clicked against the pavement, the dream turned chaoticâŚ..Camera flashes erupted like fireworks.Paparazzi swarmed the entrance, their lenses trained on the power couple.âMrs. Woods! Over here!â one shouted, his voice sharp and eager.âKourtney, give us a smile!â another called, pushing closer.The clicks and shouts were overwhelming, a reminder of how public her life had become.Sebastian, unfazed, was already used to this life for years now. He pulled her closer, his arm sliding possessively around her waist.âIs it true youâre expecting?â a third paparazzi yelled.Kourtney was t
Sebastian remained short of breath as he gazed at the woman. He was almost drooling!How does someone look so ethereal?Like a celestial being!Her dewy skin and rosy cheeks made her even more dreamlike.Angelic and soft!She looked too good to be true!Too sweet to look at!Meanwhile, Kourtney felt the manâs eyes on her like a physical touch, intense and burning.Her cheeks reddened.He stepped closer, his stare more intense by the second. His eyes practically darkened as they roamed over her, like he was memorizing every inch of herâHer gown, her hair, her face.He looked like a man whoâd just seen an angel on earth and wasnât sure he truly deserved her. She was so beautiful!âHoney.â Sebastian finally called in a rough tone. He was really fighting to keep control. âYou⌠youâre breathtaking.ââStop being so cheesy,â Kourtney teased.But boy! Heâs looking at her like he wants to eat her alive.âCheesy? Iâm just telling the truth, Mrs. Woods,â he rasped.She tilted her head playfully.
Kourtney blushed. âOkay, okay, itâs kinda cute. I didnât think people would care this much.ââCare? Honey, theyâre âobsessedâ. Damn! Youâre wayyyy smarter than I thought, posting that. Youâre playing the game like a pro. Iâm proud of you, babe.ââIf I didnât know you, Iâd think you were shading me,â Kourtney replied with a snort.âNever! NO! Seriously. You definitely know how to give the people what they want. I underestimated you so much. I'm sorry!â Lilian said laughing.Kourtney rolled her eyes, but her cheeks warmed like they would burst anytime soon. âOkay, fine, it was kinda fun. But you know this social media stuff isnât my thing. I only posted âcause youâve been hunting me for days.ââAnd look at the results! Youâre a natural, Kourt. Like⌠Babe, you broke the internet! Two million likes? And the way Sebastian was looking at you? Whew, I need a fan!âThe photos had looked even more dreamy with their enchanting Victorian-era-like horse riding gear. And as much as her best friend
Sebastian nodded, fighting hard to hide the smug smile creeping up his face. âAlright, letâs do it.âThey posed in front of the stables, Kourtneyâs smile radiant. His heart thudded as he looked at her, the pain of his mother, Roseline Serena Woodsâ absence mingling with the fierce love he felt for his wife.They snapped a few selfies, her head tilted against his, both grinning like lovesick fools. âThese are perfect,â she said, scrolling through the shots.âGreat! Letâs send for the staff! I want more pics of us,â Sebastian suggested.For unknown reasons, he liked this idea very much.Yvonne and Elise arrived to take more, capturing them laughing, arms around each other, the sun casting a golden halo around them.Soon, he led her to a sleek black stallion horse named Midnight, and the servants also followed to keep up snapping more photos.âWeâre riding together,â he said, helping her up.Kourtney settled in front, her hands gripping the saddle nervously.âSebastian, I⌠I think Iâm go
Kourtneyâs resolve cracked. She pouted her lips like a baby who needed some petting then threw her arms around his neck.âHubby, Iâm fine. Itâs just that⌠That family⌠theyâre not worth it. I donât want to ruin our day with their drama.âShe pressed herself against his solid chest in a coquettish manner.âOhh! That's it?â Sebastian chuckled.His strong arms encircled her waist, cradling her. And before she could say another word, he lifted her off the ground, twirling her around like she weighed nothing.Kourtney squealed, her laughter bubbling out as he twirled her around the room. Her brown hair bounced, and for a moment, she felt like a little girl again, free, light, adored.âSebastian! Put me down!â she gasped between laughs, her hands gripping his shoulders.She was starting to feel dizzy after about half a minute of his twirling.He slowed down. âLetâs do something fun today. Forget the world. Just you and me.âIt was a Friday and they had both stayed at home from work. Perhaps
Margaretâs lips trembled, but she forced a weak nod. Sheâd called Kourtney dozens of times, leaving voicemails that went unanswered.âIâll keep trying mother.ââOh yes. Try! That's all you're good at!â Florence was harsh with her words but she didn't give a damn.Kourtney hated them now and they probably deserved it. But right now, she didnât care about guilt or apologies. She cared about power, and Kourtney was their key to it.Her marriage to Sebastian shouldâve catapulted the Allen Corporation to new heights. She was supposed to be their golden ticket, but she had turned her back on them.Why must the Allen Corporation suffer by remaining where it was before and even after her marriage to the richest man in Melbourne?Wouldn't that be a shame?Wouldn't their enemies make a mockery and caricature of them?The room fell silent, the weight of Florenceâs disappointment crushing them all.This feels more like a battleground than a family meeting.The Allens had gathered for this meeting