Chapter 1
Chapter 1:
Today was the wedding of Sophie Barnes’ cousin, Alice Barnes. Sophie had been running around all morning, helping set up the venue, making sure every detail was perfect.
Carrying the bouquet, she headed toward the bridal suite, ready to place it in the designated spot. But just outside the door, she froze. Her heart stuttered at the sound of moans drifting through the crack.
“Oh, baby, who’s better? Me or Sophie?” A woman’s voice purred, playful and honeyed.
The man’s voice followed, low and ragged with desire. “No one comes close to you. I can’t believe you seduced me while marrying that ugly freak p>
Sophie’s stomach dropped. She knew those voices. With trembling hands, she pushed the door open.
𝗡𝗲𝘸 сh𝘢р𝘵𝗲𝗿𝘴 𝘦𝗏𝗲𝗋y 𝗐е𝘦𝗸 o𝗇
On the dressing table lay Alice, completely exposed, her body tangled with a man’s. Her wedding dress lay crumpled on the floor.
And that man was David Lloyd. Sophie’s boyfriend of three years.
Her mind raced back to his words from just days ago: “I want to check out your cousin’s wedding. It’ll help us plan ours p>
Alice clung to David, moaning louder. “David, I love you! Let’s run away together p>
Rage boiled over inside Sophie. She hurled the bouquet straight at them with every ounce of her strength.
The sudden attack made them both yelp in shock.
David scrambled to pull up his pants, his face blanching as he met Sophie’s furious gaze. “Sophie, wait! You’ve got it all wrong! She made a move on me!” he stammered.
Sophie let out a bitter laugh. Then she slapped him hard across the cheek.
“Oh, really? Did she force you p>
David froze, completely paralyzed.
Alice threw on her clothes and rushed to defend him. “Sophie, what do you think you’re doing p>
Sophie’s icy stare cut her down instantly. Another sharp slap landed squarely across Alice’s cheek.
“You… how dare you hit me?” Alice hissed, her shock morphing into pure fury.
It was the first time Sophie had ever laid a hand on her cousin.
Sophie’s childhood hadn’t been easy. Her father had been absent, and her mother had vanished without explanation when she was only five. Kolton Barnes, her mother’s brother, and his wife, Michelle Barnes, had taken her in, giving her a home.
Alice, their own daughter, had grown spoiled and entitled, convinced that everything—and everyone—was hers for the taking. She had always viewed Sophie as an intruder, someone beneath her.
For years, Sophie had tolerated Alice’s insults, her petty thefts, and her constant provocations, all out of gratitude and respect for Kolton.
But seeing this betrayal unfold right before her eyes, Sophie refused to hold back.
Alice, clutching her face in outrage, tried to strike back, but Sophie caught her hand and delivered another firm slap.
“Isn’t it my responsibility to teach a shameless younger cousin a lesson?” Sophie snapped.
At that moment, hurried footsteps pounded down the hallway.