Whispers Of Betrayal

Chapter 1: Betrayal in Bloom

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the lace neckline of my engagement dress. The silk hugged my curves, the pearls glimmered under the vanity lights, and for a moment, I believed in the picture-perfect future I’d dreamed of. But the lingering unease in my chest wouldn’t let me breathe fully.

“You look stunning, Sophia,” Angel, my sister, said behind me, her voice as sweet as honey laced with arsenic. She leaned against the doorframe, her crimson gown clinging like sin itself.

“Thanks,” I murmured, focusing on the mirror. Angel always had a way of making me feel like an intruder in my own skin.

“You must be thrilled,” she continued, swirling a glass of champagne. “Engaged to Liam—the golden boy. Mother couldn’t be prouder.”

Her words carried an edge, a hint of mockery beneath the surface. “I am,” I replied evenly, refusing to let her get under my skin.

Angel’s lips curled into a smirk. “You deserve this. Truly. JI

ust… don’t let your guard down.”

Her cryptic comment sent a chill down my spine. “What does that mean?”

“Oh, nothing.” She waved a hand dismissively. “You know how I love to tease.”

I didn’t press further. There was no point. Angel thrived on drama, and tonight wasn’t about her games. It was about Liam and me—the future we were building together.

The ballroom downstairs was a masterpiece of elegance: chandeliers casting warm light over the marble floors, tables adorned with white roses and gold accents. Guests mingled, their laughter and chatter filling the air as I descended the grand staircase.

Liam stood at the base, his sandy hair perfectly tousled, his navy suit tailored to perfection. When his hazel eyes met mine, I felt a rush of warmth, a reminder of why I said yes.

“You’re breathtaking,” he whispered, taking my hand and pulling me close.

“And you’re biased,” I teased, but my smile faltered as I caught sight of Angel across the room. She was watching us, her expression unreadable.

The night moved in a blur of toasts and laughter, but something felt off. It started with the waiter who handed me a drink I didn’t order. Then there was Angel’s sly grin when I caught her whispering with a hotel staff member. I dismissed it as paranoia—until I woke up.

My head throbbed, the taste of stale alcohol clinging to my tongue. The sheets beneath me weren’t my own. Panic set in as I sat up, the silk robe slipping off my shoulders.

Where am I?

The room was unfamiliar, too lavish even for the hotel suite Liam had reserved for us. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my heart hammering in my chest.

That’s when I saw him.

The man was standing by the window, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the city skyline. His tailored suit screamed wealth, but his face—sharp jawline, piercing gray eyes, and a scar running along his left brow—was unfamiliar and terrifying.

“What—who are you?” I stammered, clutching the sheets to my chest.

He turned slowly, his gaze unreadable. “You don’t remember?”

My stomach churned. “Remember what?”

“You stumbled into my suite last night,” he said, his tone measured. “Drunk, incoherent. I didn’t touch you, but…” He gestured toward the bed.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “This—this is a mistake. I don’t even know you!”

“lucas Grayson,” he said, his name dripping with authority. “And believe me, I’d prefer not to be dragged into your drama. But someone wanted this to happen.”

“What are you talking about?” My voice trembled.

He held up a phone. My phone. The screen displayed a series of incriminating photos: me unconscious on the bed, him standing over me, looking down like a predator savoring his prey.

“No,” I gasped.

By the time I made it downstairs, the engagement party was in full swing. My mind raced as I weaved through the crowd, desperate to find Liam and explain—though I had no idea what I’d say.

But Angel found me first.

“Darling sister,” she crooned, linking her arm with mine. “You’ve been hiding. Come, there’s something everyone needs to see.”

“Angel, I—”

She pulled me onto the stage, where Liam stood waiting, his smile faltering as he noticed my disheveled state. The room went silent as Angel grabbed a microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she began, her voice dripping with malice. “Before we celebrate this beautiful couple, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of trust and honesty in a relationship.”

“What are you doing?” I hissed, but she ignored me.

The screens behind us lit up, displaying the photos from my phone. Gasps filled the room, followed by whispers that cut deeper than knives.

“She’s cheating?”

“With him? Lucas Grayson?”

Liam’s face paled, his hands clenching into fists. “Sophia, is this true?”

“No!” I cried. “I was set up—I don’t even know how—”

“Stop lying!” Angel snapped, her eyes blazing. “You’ve always been selfish, Sophia, but this? Sleeping with another man before your engagement party? Have you no shame?”

My mother stormed up the stage, her fury palpable. Without a word, she slapped me across the face, the sting of it echoing louder than the murmurs below.

“Enough!” a commanding voice interrupted.

All heads turned to see Lucas Grayson himself stepping forward, his presence dominating the room.

“I’m the man in those photos,” he announced, his voice cold and unyielding. “But this woman is no cheater. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me.”

The room fell into stunned silence as Lucas turned to me, his gray eyes locking onto mine. “Sophia Daniels,” he said, his tone softer now. “Marry me.”

The words hung in the air like a bomb waiting to detonate. My vision blurred as I staggered backward, barely able to process what had just happened.

“Marry you?” I echoed, my voice shaking. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ve been dragged through the mud,” he said, his gaze unwavering. “Your reputation is in ruins. Let me fix this.”

“This isn’t a business deal!” I snapped, my fury rising to meet his calm. “You think you can just swoop in and—”

“You have no other choice,” he interrupted, his tone turning icy. “Your fiancé won’t take you back. Your family has disowned you. But if you become my wife, no one will dare question your integrity again.”

“I don’t even know you!”

“You will,” he said simply.

My heart pounded as I glanced at Liam, who stood frozen, his expression a mix of betrayal and disbelief. Angel, meanwhile, watched with barely concealed glee, her triumph clear.

“I…” My voice faltered. The room spun around me, the weight of their stares suffocating.

“Say yes,” Lucas urged, his voice low and insistent. “Or let them destroy you.”

And just like that, the floor beneath me seemed to crumble.