As Samuel pulled up to the address Sherett had given, he gently eased the car to a stop.
"This is your place," he said, his voice neutral, almost hesitant.
"Thank you," Sherett replied quickly, cutting him off before he could say another word. Without sparing him a glance, she pushed the door open and stepped out, her movements sharp, hurried—as though staying another second might cause her to break.
Samuel's gaze lingered on the grand house before him. A sprawling garden stretched across the front lawn, bursting with vibrant flowers, meticulously trimmed hedges, and elegant stone paths. The place screamed old money—dignified, untouchable. He watched until the gate shut behind her, then lit a cigarette, sighed deeply, and drove away.
Inside the house, Sherett's pace slowed. She had barely stepped into the marble-floored hallway when her eyes fell on an unexpected sight—her uncle Karter and aunt Nelly sitting comfortably in the living room. She blinked, surprised.
It was 11 a.m.
Karter was usually at the office by now, and Nelly would have been off at her morning social gatherings. But today, her aunt was leaning toward her uncle, animatedly pointing at glossy magazine pages.
"Look at this one, Karter—it's stunning!" Nelly chirped. "We should do something like this for the new villa. And this showpiece—I need this one in the living room!"
Sherett instinctively turned toward the staircase, hoping to avoid them entirely. She quietly began to climb, each step laced with the dread of confrontation.
But just as she reached the top, a blur of motion rushed down toward her.
"Sherett!"
Perla's voice rang out like an alarm.
She looked furious, her eyes wide with panic and betrayal.
"Where were you all night?" Perla demanded. "Do you even know how many places I searched for you?"
Sherett froze. Her mind spun at the accusation. "Where was I? You gave me the wrong room number, Perla! I waited for hours. You didn't even check on me."
Her voice trembled with disbelief—and hurt.
Her words carried straight into the living room, catching Nelly's attention. The woman stood up sharply, magazine forgotten.
"Oh, so madam finally decided to come home?" Nelly sneered, crossing the room like a storm.
"You know the kind of things people are saying about you? Out all night—no one knows where, no one knows with whom. You're an orphan, and this is your behavior? You're making people whisper behind our backs!"
Before Sherett could defend herself, Perla's gasp sliced through the room. She stepped forward, covering her mouth in mock shock.
"Oh my God, Sherett—what's that on your neck?"
Everything stopped.
Nelly stormed forward. In one swift motion, she grabbed Sherett's wrist and spun her around, her eyes narrowing as they scanned her neck, her arms, her clothes.
"What is this? While we were worrying sick about you, you were out enjoying yourself?"
Her tone turned razor-sharp.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Speak! Where were you all night?"
The words were venomous. And then came the blow.
"Mr. Shane waited for you at the hotel like a fool. You humiliated us in front of him. And you? You were out tarnishing our family's name?"
Sherett yanked her arm free, her voice shaking.
"You're accusing me without letting me explain! This is nonsense!"
Just yesterday, they had embraced her with love—her uncle's warm smile, her aunt's approving nod, Perla's teasing laughter. And now? They were strangers. Cold. Ruthless. Not one of them had asked if she was okay.
And Shane?
The name hit her like a slap. Who was Shane? Perla had never even mentioned such a person. Let alone arrange a meeting.
Before she could voice her confusion, Nelly grabbed her wrist again—this time with a grip so tight it left marks.
"Come on," she hissed. "Let your uncle see what kind of girl you're becoming."
She dragged Sherett across the marble floor and shoved her in front of Karter like a criminal awaiting judgment. Sherett struggled to free herself, but Nelly's grip was like iron, defying her strength.
Karter's face was unreadable as he looked her over. Then his voice came, bitter and cold.
"What is all this, Sherett? I never expected this kind of behavior from you. It's good your parents aren't alive to see this… they would've died in shame."
Behind her, slow footsteps echoed.
Perla descended the staircase with the grace of a cat, a smile curling at her lips. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Mom, Dad, it's okay. This idiot didn't meet Mr. Shane, but don't get so worked up. Nolan said he'll arrange the deal with someone else. It's all sorted."
Sherett turned toward her sister, shocked.
"Perla… you too?"
The words barely left her lips.
Just one night. One night at Hotel Costa Rivera—and her whole world had flipped upside down.
And Nolan? He was out of the country. Wasn't he?
Perla walked up to her, her eyes dropping deliberately to the faint marks on Sherett's skin.
"Hmm… whoever it was must've been rough with you," she said, voice dripping with mock concern. "Not much mercy, huh? Anyway, Nolan's always said he wouldn't touch anyone before marriage. So what happened here? Your call, I guess."
Then she turned to the upper landing and called out sweetly, "Nolan baby, come down! Look who's here!"
Sherett's heart froze.
No… no, this can't be.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs again. And then… there he was.
Nolan.
Standing right in front of her.
Her breath caught. "Nolan? You… weren't you in France?"
He looked at her. For a moment, their eyes met. Then, he looked away without a word.
Sherett turned to Nelly, confused, broken.
"You told me Nolan was in France…"
Nelly smirked. "Who told you that? Nolan never went to France. He's been here all along—with the woman he loves. With Perla."
And just like that, Perla stepped forward, her fingers lacing around Nolan's hand. She stood beside him, close—too close.
The tears that Sherett had fought so hard to hold back finally spilled over. Her voice cracked.
"Nolan, you betrayed me? Why? I gave you everything. My heart… my trust. If there was a problem, you could've told me. But this? With my sister?"
Still, he said nothing.
Sherett stepped forward and grabbed his shirt, shaking him with trembling hands.
"Why did you do this to me?"
---
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