Chapter 1 The betrayal

Sephora’s POV

Managing a company and a love life wasn’t an easy task, but tonight I was going to make things better.

The clock on my desk read 4:00 PM and for the first time in months, I allowed myself to breathe. I quickly went over the files I had been working on for months now before making sure to save.

Kayden, my fiancé, had been distant lately, as he constantly complained about the stress of our upcoming wedding and I couldn’t help but blame myself. I had been working fourteen-hour shifts to ensure everything was good enough before we started our life together.

And even though I was beyond stressed, I understood his point as well and that was why tonight was going to be just perfect for us. I was going to prepare his favorite dish and have some private time with him tonight to make up for the lost time.

With that thought in mind, I happily packed my things and headed home. I hummed a tune as I pulled into the driveway of my house—no, our house. It had been my house until two days ago, when Kayden, god bless his soul, persuaded me to hand over my properties to him so the stress would be reduced for me. In his words, he said it was his little way of helping me.

“Put the house and the company in my name,” he had said while kissing my temple. “It’ll make the transition after the wedding so much smoother.

Take it as my way of helping you relieve some stress.”

I hadn’t wanted to, but when he insisted, I finally agreed. Filled with love and trust, I had signed the papers, eager to build a future with him.

The house was quiet when I entered, but something didn’t feel quite right. After dropping the groceries in the kitchen, I was about to go upstairs when I froze. Clothes were scattered all over the stairs, ranging from a tie to a bra that definitely didn’t belong to me.

What is going on?

Swallowing hard and ignoring the pain in my heart, I continued walking up the stairs, but when I got to the door, moans filled my ears.

‘No, this cannot be,’ I muttered to myself in denial. Kayden would never cheat on me, not after all we’ve been through.

But as moans and groans filled my ears, I couldn’t hold it anymore. I pushed the door open but regretted it immediately. On our matrimonial bed was Kayden, who was naked. He was hunched over with a woman’s legs on his shoulders as he had her pinned on the bed and continuously rammed into her.

When I caught a glimpse of the woman’s face, my already shaking heart shattered. She was his secretary, the very one he always nagged about and claimed to be annoying.

"Kayden?" I let out in a shaky voice.

At the sound of my voice, they jumped in panic and quickly covered themselves up, but something was wrong. The secretary had a knowing smirk on her face, while Kayden seemed annoyed by the interruption.

"You’re home early," he said, his tone flat.

"What is this?" I choked out as I leaned against the door so I wouldn’t fall. "The wedding is in three days, Kayden. How could you do this to me? I came early to make you dinner!”

Kayden let out a dry laugh as if I had just told a silly joke. With my heart pounding hard, I watched as he got off the bed and put on a robe before walking towards me while I trembled.

"Dinner?" he mocked, staring me down. "Is that supposed to make up for the fact that you’re never here, Sephora? I’m a man with needs, and you’re too busy working your ass off to explore my sexual desires. You’re boring and work-driven, but Sophie actually knows how to treat a man."

"I was working for us!" I screamed in shock as tears rolled down my cheeks. "I was working to build our future! How could you do this with her? You told me you hated her!"

"I told you what you needed to hear so you’d keep her on the payroll," he sneered unapologetically, and for a moment, I didn’t recognize the man before me.

“Kayden,” I breathed, too pained to breathe properly. “I handed over my house and company to you only a few days ago. How can you do this?”

“I told you I loved you so you’d sign those papers, silly. Did you really think a man like me would settle for an orphaned little girl with a mid-sized design firm? I wanted the company, Sephora. I wanted the house and now, thanks to you, I have them."

As I tried to digest his words, Sophie let out a cruel laugh. "You should have seen your face when you signed over everything you owned, Sephora. You are so desperate for a family and it sucks.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I crumbled to the floor in pain as I gasped for air. How did this happen? I just handed my dad’s company and house to a man who didn’t give a fuck about me? I cried bitterly as hot tears rolled down my cheeks.

Kayden and I had dated for so long. He was my high school sweetheart and we only grew even closer when my dad had died. He always showered me with so much love and even engaged me. Where did I ever go wrong?

I looked up to Kayden, hoping this was some sort of prank, because if it was not, then I was truly doomed.

“Kayden…”

"Get out," Kayden said in a cold tone as if he was suddenly tired of seeing my face.

"This is my house!" I sobbed heartbreakingly. "My father built this—"

"Check the deed, Sephora," Kayden interrupted, his lip curling. "It’s mine now. You have ten minutes to grab what you can carry, or I’m calling the police to report a trespasser."