Scarlet POV

Coming back from my friend's wedding preparations, I wanted to surprise Aiden. At the busy airport, I enjoyed the view of the city. In the taxi, I felt the city's lively atmosphere.

My heart raced when I arrived at the hotel. In the elevator, I felt more excited with each floor. But at Aiden's room, I heard his voice and a familiar woman's voice, making me pause and feel worried

Curiousity and confusion washed over me as I opened the door, only to be met with a devastating sight

There, in the center of the room, were Aiden and Evelyn, my stepsister, entangled in an intimate embrace.

The scene felt like a nightmare as I watched them, my eyes welling up with tears

"Come on, baby...yes, baby, oh...I'm about to come..."

Aiden whispered breathlessly with Evelyn perched on top of him.

My voice caught in my throat, a whirlwind of betrayal consuming me

I couldn't believe my eyes

"Aiden!" I finally screamed, my voice shaking with hurt and fury.

Aiden jolted to his feet, shock written all over his face. I knew he never expected me here standing in the doorway.

"Scarlet, you're here...."

He stammered, Scrambling to cover himself as he stood up.

"It's not what you think, Scarlet! I—let me explain!"

He rushed towards me, his hands outstretched in desperation.

I couldn't bear to look at him, my heart shattering into a million pieces.

"Save your pathetic excuses!" I growled, slapping him.

"And you," I said, returning my gaze to Evelyn.

"You're nothing but a conniving, selfish liar!"

Truly, I had never imagined her to stoop so low. Although I knew she was never honest from the beginning.

It was clear to me that my words did not affect her as she gave a grin, which just spurred my anger.

"I suppose the better woman won," she responded, a note of pleasure in her voice.

Her words were like a hammer that hit me, and tears streamed from my eyes, but I did not let them fall. I would never let her be the one to see me broken.

"I hate you! Aiden." I spat before turning on my heels and storming out of the room.

I hastily headed for the elevator, my vision blurred by tears.

I hit the button for the ground floor, where the hotel bar was located. As I stumbled into the dimly lit space , I made my way to the bartender

I sat down, making an effort to avoid the curious glances of the other patrons.

"Whiskey," I croaked, my throat tight with emotion. The bartender nodded, giving in to my need.

He poured me a generous amount of the amber liquid, which I promptly consumed in a single motion.

The burning sensation in my throat was so intense that it felt as though I was experiencing a surge of exhilaration, relishing the moment despite the discomfort.

"Another," I demand

The unflinching eyes of the men around seemed to be quivering at me.

However, it was the least of my matters

It looks like my whole life has been falling apart virtually right before my eyes.

I had dreamed of weaving a happy life with him, never wanted this from him..

I felt pain and rage transform into a reckless yearning to numb the ache in my chest.

Another glass appeared beside me, and the bartender began to pour.

I quickly downed the drink, wincing at the initial burn. Soon, my head started spinning—I wasn't used to drinking and rarely got drunk, but what else could I do?

"I just hate him!" I whispered, but the bartender's stare made it clear that my words hadn't been as quiet as I'd intended.

"Get me another." I requested, but he just kept glaring at me.

"You sure, mam?" he asked.

His he the one who is going to decide things for me? Almost like he got it in a flash, as he brought another bottle

I downed it also, as I felt my grip, barely hanging onto the alcohol bottle, my heart heavy in sorrows

I stood up from the counter and signalled the bartender, tipping him off after deciding to leave.

The dim light shone in the background while I hang on to myself, proceeding into the night in a smooth sway to avoid being the object of the possibility of the patrons.

The gentle blow of the cool breeze did not either settle the chaos erupting in me, and hence, I made the turn curving the sidewalk.

My tears, the most wanted, had so blurred my scene that I almost missed the sidewalk, stumbling while walking down.

My mind clouded with the cruel hand, fate had dealt with me

I went with the flow in my turbulent thoughts, and my body quivered, hold of alcohol exerting the physique part as I lean on the wall that was cold and try to balance on both the physical and emotional side.

How could I have been so blind to his deception? I had trusted Aiden with all my heart, only to be betrayed by him.

The love that was poured into our relationship from the bottom of my heart about trusting Aiden was reciprocal betrayal from him.

The memories from our past, which we both shared, the laughter, the promises, the dreams seem to be like pieces of glass in my soul.

It was an open secret that Evelyn was interested in him all along. Anything I seemed to admire, she wished to snatch.

Should I set my sights on anything, she would like to get it.

Even snatching my parents' love from me.

After the whole abduction stuff occurred when I was 6, I never lost hope that one soulful day I would reunite with my parents...

Leaving me alone, growing up without them.

Though I was happy to finally reunite with them, they just weren't the same people I knew 18 years ago.

Evelyn seemed to be the apple of their eyes, and I just disgraced them.

Dad always pointed out my wrongs, with his eyes seeing nothing else... Or my mom, who always wasted no time comparing me with my sister, Evelyn...

Besides, it looks like she has taken the measure again by taking something dear to me.

Unbelievable—And to think we were planning to get engaged in weeks, and now he is with her.

Overcoming my anguish, I pushed away from the wall, betrayal's bitterness engulfing my heart as I took unsteady steps.

I walked down the quiet street, my loneliness reflecting my broken spirit.

Almost like a ghost, I wandered through the deserted road, mirroring my tormented soul.

Lost in thought, I found myself on the roadside. Suddenly, a passing car's headlights blinded me, mere inches away.

.. ........