Chapter One
Tori's POV
I came home earlier than expected, my mind already drifting to Kieran. I did not call ahead since I wanted to surprise him.
The trip was cancelled, and I was excited because I had been so worried I might not be able to celebrate his birthday with him tomorrow.
I guess things were working in my way.
I held the cake I had bought gently, a smile spread across my face. One might think I was his crush meeting him for the first time. My cheeks were red thinking about his reaction once he gets to see that I was back.
The house was quiet when I stepped inside, but his shoes were by the door. That small detail calmed me more than it should have. I tried moving forward, but I saw another heel. It doesn't look like mine or maybe it was mine?
Then I heard it.
A soft sound drifting from down the hallway. I gently placed the cake on a chair beside my bag. My body tensed from the sound while my heart raced faster.
My eyebrows narrowed in curiosity as the smile on my face slowly faded.
I told myself I was imagining things. Still, I took a step forward.
My hand trembled as I twisted the doorknob. I took two slow steps into the hallway, praying I was wrong. Praying my eyes would lie to me.
Clothes were scattered across the floor like a cruel trail leading to the truth. Soft moans filled the air, growing louder with every step. They weren't just any clothes, and I was very sure I do not wear stuffs like that!
My fist clenched as my chest tightened painfully. Each breath burned.
I stopped in front of the slightly opened bedroom door. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst. I wanted to believe someone had broken into my house. That this was some terrible mistake.
But deep down, I knew.
Summoning every bit of courage I had left, I pushed the door open.
They were on my bed.
Frozen, I watched as he thrust into the woman beneath him. They were so consumed by each other that they did not even notice me standing there. That realization shattered something inside me.
"Thank goodness that bitch isn't here," the woman moaned breathlessly. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for you? I missed you so fucking much. I needed you badly."
I watched as her fingers dug into his back while he fucked her badly.
That voice.
My heart dropped. I would recognize it anywhere. Even in my sleep. Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head, refusing to accept it. That was the same voice wguchas tormented me for years.
This could not be happening.
I knew Sophia was capable of many things, but never this.
I stepped back, my hands flying to my mouth to silence the sob threatening to escape.
"That bitch follows me around like she doesn't have a life," Kieran said, still moving inside her without shame. "You should have found someone else for me. Someone else for us."
"Relax," she replied lazily. "You two are getting engaged soon. Once that happens, getting the properties my father left in her name will be easy. That useless old man left nothing for my mother and me. She's our best shot, and it will all be over soon."
"I love you, babe," Kieran said before pulling her into a deep kiss.
My legs nearly gave out beneath me. They have been using me all along?
I stumbled back, my voice shaking as it finally cut through the room. "What the hell is happening here?"
Kieran jerked away from her immediately, his eyes wide with shock and that was when I saw her face clearly.
Sophia.
My stepsister.
She really went too far this time.
So many questions flooded my mind at once. How long had they known each other? Had any of it been real? Or was I just part of their plan?
The thoughts made it hard to breathe.
My tongue felt heavy as I bit the inside of my cheek. Every warning I had ignored came rushing back. I had loved him too much to question him.
"You weren't supposed to be here," Kieran said quickly. "I thought you traveled. You should have told me if you were coming back!"
What?
This was my house.
Disgust crawled through me as Sophia covered herself with the sheets. There was no shame in her eyes. No guilt.
"Are you actually saying that right now?" I shouted, my voice cracking. Sophia flinched and covered her ears.
"You don't need to scream," she said calmly. "We can hear you just fine."
"Why would you do this to me? What exactly have I done for you to treat me this way every fucking time!"
"Father has always loved you ever since you were little—"
"What? Don't you ever try to bring up that bull shit! You take everything away from me. You and your mother do that every time." I paused, wondering if I should remind her of the things her mother and her did to me ever since I was little.
"You have most of the shares."
"That was the only thing my father left for me! That was the only thing he has ever given me his life before he died. Can you not let me have something to myself?" My palms rubbed against each other, pleading.
Pleading like I had done something extremely wrong. Seeing myself this way shattered my heart.
"It's too late daddy's princess." A smirk appeared on her face, there was no hint of any remorse at all.
"Fuck it," Kieran muttered as he pulled on his boxers and walked toward me. "Looks like you heard everything. What are you going to do about it?"
I stared at him, trembling. "You never loved me. I trusted you."
Tears spilled freely. I hated how weak I sounded which also made me wonder how long the both of them must have been planning this!
"Face reality," he snapped. "Do you really think you're worth loving? No man would ever want you. You should be grateful I even showed you affection, even if it was fake."
"Why? Just why?" I knew I didn't do anything bad, I didn't look that bad. I knew I was a little bit curvy but I also looked good.
"You are rich! You are perfect. Too perfect. No one wants a perfect person. It's either they are after your money or that perfect body of yours. They will never love you."
My knees weakened as his words crushed me.
"What should we do with her?" Sophia asked calmly, sitting up on the bed. "We've been planning this for years. We can't let our progress go to waste."
Rage surged through me. "You will regret this. I might have been fooled, but I won't let you take everything from me."
Sophia stood and slipped into a dress, her lips curling into a slow smile. "Good luck with that."
I turned to run.
Suddenly, strong hands seized my arm and yanked me back. "Kieran, let me go!" I cried as he dragged me toward the bed.
"Why should I?" he said coldly. "Now that you know our plans, it's better this way. Don't you think so?"
Pain exploded in my side before I could react.
Sophia stood beside me, a knife clenched in her hand. Blood seeped through my shirt as the sting turned into unbearable agony.
"You should have stayed away," she whispered. "This is the only we can have what we have been working for. It took me a lot of confidence to do this."
I screamed and shoved Kieran with everything I had. He stumbled back in shock. That moment was enough.
I ran.
I burst out of the house, clutching my bleeding side as dizziness blurred my vision. My legs felt weak, but I kept moving until I stumbled into the road.
The street was empty. I silently hoped someone would see me.
Blood slipped through my fingers as my knees buckled. A loud horn blared.
Bright headlights rushed toward me as a huge truck sped closer, its engine roaring like death itself.
I could still move. I could still run, but I chose not to. Was this the end for me?
I closed my eyes, tears mixing with blood as I whispered my final prayer. "I need another chance. Please. I will never be this weak again."
The truck slammed into me.
Boom.