Chapter 1: Bridal Shower Night 1

##Chapter 1

*Michelle's POV*

Bridal Shower Night 1

“What the hell is going on here!” My voice trembled with disbelief and fury as I stumbled into the room. The sight before me felt surreal—Dell, the man I was set to marry tomorrow, lay naked on the bed with my step-sister, Sharon. The room seemed to freeze in time as I took in the scene.

Dell and Sharon both looked up, their eyes wide with shock, but there was no trace of remorse on their faces. It was as if they had been caught in the middle of an ordinary day, not in the midst of the most intimate betrayal imaginable.

“You can see exactly what’s happening, can’t you?” Dell’s voice was cold, his irritation barely masked. “So, why the fuss?”

My heart pounded violently in my chest, as though it might burst free from my rib cage. His words felt like a slap in the face, each syllable echoing in my mind as I struggled to keep my sanity intact.

I loved him. I had given everything to make this relationship work. And now, on my bridal shower night, I found him in this disgraceful state with my sister. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and I fought to keep my tears from spilling over.

“What to do now? Looks like we’ve been caught by my dear sister” Sharon said mockingly, a smirk playing on her lips. My fists clenched, my nails digging into my palms, drawing blood. I was seething with rage.

Dell and Sharon were still entwined, indifferent to my presence. The sheer audacity of their nonchalance, stung more than their betrayal. I had always hoped for freedom from my family’s cruelty and when I met him, I thought I would. But now, it felt like my entire existence had been a lie.

“This is absurd” I mumbled, barely recognizing my own voice through the haze of anger.

“What’s absurd?” Sharon sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Are you confused?”

“How could you do this to me!” I snapped, losing control. In a fit of fury, I grabbed a nearby flower vase and hurled it in their direction. It shattered against the wall, pieces flying as Dell and Sharon scrambled to separate themselves.

“Are you insane! You almost injured me, you stupid woman!” Dell shouted, his hand pressing against his side as if to check for injuries.

“Crazy woman!” Sharon yelled, trying to cover her exposed chest. Dell snatched the duvet, wrapping it around himself with a look of disdain.

“Bitch! Why are you angry? You should blame yourself for being stupid. You forced yourself on me" He gritted his teeth.

"I hate seeing your face. If I had a choice Michelle, I would never have taken it this far. I would never!” Dell spouted angrily.

“Just yesterday Dell, you promised to move heaven and earth for me, to seize for me the whole world and now you're saying I forced myself on you? How? You approached me first!” 

He scoffed, “I can see the reason your father cannot trust you, you are so stupid! Why would you think that, I, Dell Houston would settle for a woman like you? I simply approached you because I like your sister, but you just won't stop pushing things! You should be grateful to her for letting you have it to this extent.” 

My eyes were filled with tears I was trying to control as his harsh words echoed in my head. 

“You are having an affair with my step sister and you want to get married to me? You're nothing but a pathetic jerk!” I banged my hand against the wall angrily, sniffing back my tears afterwards.

“What do you mean? An affair? Are you calling me a side chick? You're the fucking bitch here!” Sharon sneered. 

“Shut your mouth!” I roared, shooting her a deadly glare. She gulped down hard, the shock on her face evident. 

 I'd lived under her shadow since she was born and always had to let go of anything she wanted, even if my life depended on it.

But I didn't expect her to be so shameless to the point of snatching my fiance! The one person that gave me hope! 

“Why are you so angry baby!” Dell taunted, his voice dripping with venom. “You should be begging me to stay. Tomorrow is the wedding, after all. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your father.”

“Dell, why are you calling her that!” Sharon’s jealousy was evident. 

“We still need something from her. We should be nice. She’ll have no choice but to comply" Dell retorted cutely.

“Exactly” Sharon agreed, her gaze dismissive.

They spoke about me as if I weren’t even there. My heart felt like it was being crushed under the weight of their words. “Beg? Who? You’ve cheated on me!”

“So what!” Dell’s contempt was palpable. “You were never my first choice. You’re just a placeholder for my grandfather’s wishes. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have bothered.”

My heart shattered into a billion pieces at his words, all the time I’d spent loving and trusting him was based on a cruel deception. He wasn’t worth any of my anguish.

“I won’t let you get away with this!” I declared, my voice resolute. Turning on my heel, I stormed out of the room, my heart aching with every step.

“She’ll be back soon!” I heard Dell’s mocking voice follow me.

Tears streamed down my face as I walked out of the room, but then I heard a flower vase shattered. “You bitch! Just die!” Sharon roared. Sharon hit a vase on my head, and that was when the pain set in.

“Ahh!” I winced in pain. I staggered towards the wall to lean on it because my strength failed me. 

How could she do that to me? It wasn't enough that she betrayed me, but what? She wanted to kill me? My sister? Why would she do that?

“Are you crazy? Are you trying to kill her!” Dell panicked. “I don't care, she has to die or else she is going to screw us over!” I heard them argue behind me, but during that time I slipped out of the room dragging my weak body with me.

I couldn't feel my eyes, but I knew I had to escape from the two monsters. I couldn't get far. My head was bleeding excessively as my strength failed me, and I slumped to the floor.

“No, I can't stay, I need to leave here!” I mumbled running away from the scene, but I froze when I heard someone's footsteps. 

I thought it was Dell or Sharon, but I relaxed as the person walked past me without saying a word. I couldn't let the person leave like that so I decided to ask for help.

“Please…help ….. me!” I pleaded with my quivering voice., and the person's steps halted walking towards me., I could feel a sharp pain in my head, but I couldn't afford to stop. 

“Why should I?” The person asked with no warmth in his voice despite my state, but I didn't notice the chills that accompanied his voice.. Maybe the betrayal and pain I was feeling has numbed my sense to notice I might as well be in danger.

I grabbed the person's leg, and I helped myself up, but my legs were wobbly, and I lost my balance, but I felt a strong arm wrapped around my waist, which prevented me from falling.

My eyes were blurry, and I didn't quickly see the face of the person who saved me from falling, but when my vision cleared out, the person's face came into view which shocked me to my bones.

“You..what..are..” I panicked as I sprawled out of his embrace, but I staggered backwards only to be caught by him again.

“Are you trying to run from me? At least do that with a clear head” the cold man said, and my stomach turned churned in fear.

“You!” I gasped, trying to wriggle free, panic rising in my chest.

‘Why him, of all people?’