THE INAUGURATION.

CHAPTER 1.

At twenty-three, I feel like I’ve achieved everything I ever wanted in life. Ever since I was twelve, I knew my dreams, to marry Lucas, the love of my life, and start a family with him while becoming the heiress to my family’s conglomerate.

Peeking through the window, a wide grin spread across my face as I made eye contact with the dedicated workers down the hall. They were busy decorating for my big day tomorrow. I was about to kill two birds with one stone: I could not wait to become the heiress of my family’s empire and also Lucas' wife.

I felt an urge to run around, my excitement was overwhelming. I had waited for this day my entire life. Quickly dressing in something casual, I walked out of my room. I realized I hadn’t seen my fiancé in the last twelve hours, so I decided to give him a call. The phone rang five times before he picked up.

“Hey, soon-to-be wife,” he greeted softly, making me blush.

“Are you missing me already?” he asked, like he was reading my mind.

“Yeah!” I admitted shyly. “What are you up to? When will you be coming over?”

“Me? I’m just hanging out with Samantha. We’re preparing something for you. We’ll be there in ten minutes,” he replied, referring to my twin sister.

I grinned and twirled around, my eyes sparkling. “Oh, I can’t wait to see you guys!” After he ended the call, I dashed back into my room to change into something nicer before heading downstairs to welcome them.

I hadn’t seen Samantha in quite some time, either. Most people refer to her as my twin sister due to our strong connection, but in truth, she is my stepsister. After my mother passed away, my father had to raise me alone. When I turned three, he married Samantha’s mother, who was also a single mother.

In the next moment, I was out of my room, rushing down the stairs, eager to see the surprise that awaited me.

As I reached the bottom, my movements became short and jerky as I blinked rapidly, searching for Lucas and Samantha. Excitement fluttered in my stomach as I scanned the room, and then, there they were……….

I waved enthusiastically, bouncing on my toes and smiling. My hands tingled with anticipation as they approached. When they were close enough, I quickly pulled Samantha into a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you, sis,” I whispered, shaking with excitement as she hugged me back, speechless. It had been nearly three years since we last saw each other, even though we called from time to time.

Pulling away from Samantha, I leaped into the arms of my fiancé, Lucas Brooks. I pressed my lips against his. “I’ve missed you, baby.”

His face lit up with happiness. “Congratulations, Miss Heiress! It’s your inauguration; we can’t have the heiress looking like this!”

He gently set me down and held my hands. “So, what’s happening over here? It seems they’re not done yet. Why don’t we go check on the wedding dress? The designer said she’s finished.”

I turned to him, my voice bubbling with excitement. “Wow, that’s so fast! But baby, I can’t go now. Let’s go later this evening. I have to meet with my dad’s board of directors this morning.”

He nodded in agreement, and my lips twitched into a smile as I admired how handsome he was. He wasn’t just good-looking,he was also incredibly supportive, never insecure about letting me shine.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Brooks!” a voice called from behind us. I turned to see Samantha, who was carrying a tray of drinks. She gently lifted each cup to offer one to each of us.

“Congratulations on your inauguration, sis!” she said, raising her cup with a bright smile. “I’m so proud of you!”

I downed the glass of wine in one go and returned the cup to the tray, flashing them both a smile. Don’t get me wrong,I’m not an alcoholic, but I was just too excited to sip slowly. I noticed the awkward looks Lucas and Samantha exchanged at how quickly I drank. Well, I wasn’t surprised those two were something else.

And the worst part? They worked together. Samantha was under Lucas at his company. Most of the time, I called her to check if any women were flaunting themselves in front of my man—without any orders, of course. I trusted Samantha to handle it and keep those thirsty women away from my husband.

Once I became the heiress, I planned to bring her back to the company. My dad had made sure she worked for someone to learn the ropes; I went through that same phase too.

Unfortunately, a few minutes later, my head began to spin. I started to scratch my scalp, trying to steady myself and prevent a fall. My fidgeting grew more intense as I shifted from one foot to another until Lucas noticed and carried me up the stairs.

……

Hours later, when I woke up, I realized it was already the next morning.

"Dammit! How is that even possible?" I almost screamed in shock as I rushed out of bed, only to discover I was stark naked, wearing only my bra, which was slightly undone.

My mouth fell open, and my hands flew to my chest as my heart raced. I sank back onto the mattress, overwhelmed by the thought of being exposed. A rush of adrenaline coursed through me as I wondered if I had slept with Lucas.He was the last person who brought me into this room.

We had agreed it would happen on our wedding night. He couldn't have taken advantage of me, could he?

Turning to the other side, my breath hitched when I spotted a figure lying naked next to me.

My eyes widened in disbelief as I studied the face of the man beside me—it wasn't Lucas. It was a stranger I had never seen before. I wanted to hide as he opened his eyes, and a wave of shame washed over me.

The memories came flooding back,Lucas arrival…The Drink….Me passing out…

Just then, a knock echoed at the door. I wrapped my arms around my belly and squeezed my eyes shut as my breathing became ragged. I couldn't let anyone see this man in my bed while I was stark naked!

No, I couldn't let anyone find him here. I was supposed to be getting ready for my inauguration, not lying next to someone I didn’t know!

"Hello, sis! Open up. Dad wants to see you!" Samantha's voice drifted through the door.

My eyes darted to the man, and I whispered urgently, "Hide!”

When he wasn't hiding and just staring at me, I shouted in a low tone, "Go to the bathroom!"

I quickly put on my pajamas, adjusting them to fit snugly against my body so no one would notice. As I reached for the door, my heart pounded in my chest. I turned the key and swung the door open, only to have my dad walk in aggressively, stomping his feet, with my sister Samantha right behind him.

His face was marred with a deep frown, and his eyes bulged as he glared at me. I wished I could disappear. I knew my dad well enough to sense that something was wrong.

"Where is he?" he asked, his face expressionless.

"You hoe! Where did he go?"

I raised my brows in disbelief, my gaze darting between my dad and Samantha, silently pleading for her to give me some kind of clue about what was happening. But she just looked away, making me even more scared.

Who was my dad asking about? Did he know about the stranger?

"No one is here," I gulped, trying to defend myself.

The next thing I felt was his hand striking my face with a stinging slap. I stumbled backward, wincing in pain. I was completely caught off guard,my dad had never hit me since my mother's death.

My mouth dropped open, and I quickly inhaled sharply, letting out a small yelp. My heart seemed to freeze from the shock, then began to pound again as tears streamed down my cheeks…..

My father's eyes darted around before he sneered. "How dare you disgrace the family this way?"

I blinked rapidly, trying to process what he was saying.

"After everything I've done for you, this is my reward, huh?" he sneered.

I had never seen my father this agitated. He had always been biased toward me because I was his favorite daughter, but now it felt like I was seeing an entirely different person.

I watched him turn to my sister, who quickly handed him her phone with a slight excitement. I couldn't understand what was making her so happy while my dad was coming unhinged. He stretched out the phone, holding it in front of my face, and I gasped, stumbling back in shock when I saw a compromising photo of me with the stranger hiding in the bathroom.

"That is not me!" My voice quivered with emotion as I broke down in tears.

"No, it's not me," I shook my head, looking at my dad with a silent plea for him to listen to me.

How is my picture all over the internet without my consent?

"Someone is trying to set me up, Dad!" I cried, tears rolling down my cheeks as I crumpled to my knees.

"Shut up!" he snapped. "You have disgraced this family and everything your mother and I have built over the years!"

"I need you to go far away from us with your shame. I wouldn't want a prostitute hovering around my home!"

I froze, my nostrils flaring as I watched him turn and leave me when I needed him the most.

When I finally raised my head, there stood Samantha with a mocking smirk, looking down on me as I knelt.