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Chapter Three

As I excused myself to leave the hall, I still felt like I was being followed. I groaned and sighed. I was really exhausted from everything that had happened in the last few days and now this? Knowing my husband is cheating?

I did not actually know what to expect from him, he could have been distant, cold, even ignoring me, it would have been better than cheating on our wedding day.

I understand that this marriage is just one inconvenience since it was announced on such short notice... which makes me wonder if there are ulterior motives behind all these.

And holy fucking Mary, these heels hurt! I am so ready to get this day over with.

"Natalie, you're so naive," Leila sneered, striding towards me, her silver heels glimmering under the lightning of the chandeliers, her eyes gleaming with malice. "You think Tristan and I are guilty of something? Please, we're just trying to survive in this toxic family. In this toxic world."

I froze there, my mind struggling to comprehend this astonishing news. Leila, my sister, my friend, had been cheating with the man arranged for me to marry. But as I looked into her eyes, I saw no remorse, only a deep-seated hatred.

It was the first time I had ever seen my sister stare at me with anything other than adoration.

"Leila, how could you?" I asked, my voice shaking with anger and hurt. I tried so hard to control my trembling hands, so I clenched them and her eyes moved to my fists, then to my face.

"Oh, poor Natalie," she mocked, clicking her tongue, her voice dripping with sarcasm. It was the first time she had ever called me Natalie. She loved calling me 'Big Sis' or 'Natly'

"You've always had everything handed to you on a silver platter, have you not? You've never had to fight for anything in your life, you have had a perfect life while I always had to remain and watch you enjoy everything." she finished and I dug my nails into my flesh from clenching too hard.

Is she being for real right now? She is the one having the perfect life?

"Leila, stop pretending to be the victim," I spat, my anger boiling over. "You've been using me, pretending to be my friend and the best sister all while secretly screwing the man I'm supposed to marry."

Leila's expression turned cold, her eyes glinting with malevolence. "You're right Natalie.” I have been pretending. And it's been a real challenge to stomach your self-righteousness and ignorance. Plus, how was I even supposed to know he was supposed to get married to you? We had been together for as long as I remember then boom! He gets married to you and you think I am going to let that happen?" She raised her voice and took some strides towards to me, covering the distance between us.

She stood face to face with me, although I was taller than her naturally, her heels made her taller this time, making it look intimidating.

"No, Natalie, I would never let it happen. Just like I have always done in the past when we were kids, just like I overtook you, I will still make sure you stand alone just like I did all this time," She finished, her voice dripping with hatred.

Then she let out a crazed smile.

Tristan arrived, seeming calm, watching our bickering of who and who had suffered more, stood silent, his eyes fixed on Leila with an unnerving intensity. I did not know what to make of it. His gaze on us was emotionless. It was clear he was under her spell, and I felt a pang of disgust and shame.

Shame of a total stranger, who of course was now my cheating husband, saw me and my sister talking about him. It felt pathetic. But I could not help it. I needed closure.

I felt a slap in the face when she said her next words which stung harder than a hornet would.

"Tristan does not belong to you, Natalie. Everything ended when we were five, sis. It happened with that incident. I would never forgive you for it," she sighed and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. She did not seem to have noticed Tristan's presence in this room yet.

"Trust me, it was not easy pretending to admire you all those years. I bet you felt on top of the world then," she smirked.

"You are my sister, Leila. How could you do this to me?" I did not realise I had started bleeding from the clenching of my fist.

Leila snorted. "You're not even a real sister to me, Natalie. You might be my sister by blood, but I would never acknowledge you as such. You're just a pawn in our family's game of power and wealth. The firstborn," she giggled.

And she was fucking right. I was just a pawn for my parents. Just for them to do whatever they liked. I fought back a tear.

Tristan spoke up, his voice firm. "Leila, that's enough!"

"What?" Leila looked up at him innocently. "I am telling the truth. She knows! She could never deny it-"

"I said it is enough!" He raised his voice, glaring down at her. She flinched.

I laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "I don't need you to come to my rescue, Mr Detar," I said.

Leila's eyes flashed with anger. "You'll never understand, Natalie. You're too caught up in your privilege and entitlement-"

"Natalie!"

"You are bleeding," he said, examining my hands with his eyes. I scoffed.

"So?"

"You need to come with me to treat that-"

"I don't need you to"

"I do not think you understand, Natalie, it was not a request. It was an order," he barked calmly.

"I don't take orders from cheaters," I crossed my arms and I saw him clenching his teeth.

"Leila, leave us alone," he said, not taking his eyes off me.

"And why would I-"

"Leave," he said calmly, but there was a dangerous edge to it. I could feel it. I unconsciously shuddered and I was sure she felt it too. She left without another word.

The room seemed to spin as we stood there, not saying a word to each other. He was about to speak when a voice interrupted me.

"Talie!" I heard his loud cheerful voice from behind me, only, that it did not sound cheerful this time but worried.

Dread formed in the pit of my stomach.

Oh no! Why now?

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