"Do you think he'll propose tonight?"
Tasha teased over the phone as Bethany parked in the driveway, her gaze shifted to the rearview mirror.
"Maybe," Bethany replied, her voice filled with excitement.
Tugging at the thin straps of her red dress, she smoothed them over her shoulders, then adjusted a stray lock of hair.
"He said he had something important to talk about and... he even asked about my ring size."
"Girl, congratulations! You're finally off the market! If he doesn't drop on one knee after five years, dump him for me," Tasha joked, but Bethany could hear the smile in her voice.
"Yeah, sure," Bethany said, laughing softly. "And better get your ass back in the country to come be my bridesmaid."
With a practiced pout, Bethy applied a fresh coat of lipstick, ensuring every inch sat perfectly.
"Of course girl!! Call me when you're done, okay?"
"Will do," Bethany promised, ending the call and stepping out of the car. She glanced at the clock on her dashboard.
6:50 PM. Perfect timing.
The sight of Sebastian's black Mercedes parked neatly outside brought a smile to her lips. He was home at last, after a month-long business trip.
They were supposed to meet by 8:00 pm, but Bethany couldn't wait until then. She had missed him.
They had both spent the last five years building their relationship with little to no argument due to the love they have for each other.
And tonight, they planned to talk about the future...
Bethany let herself into his apartment, using the spare key he'd given her years ago. The house was eerily quiet, but she didn't think much of it.
Seeing Sebastian's handsome face was what was going on in her head...
As she stepped into the living room, she froze. On the floor, a red lace lingerie lay discarded.
A lady's peach court heels were also beside the couch.
She stared at them, unable to move, her mind racing with who could be the owner. She looked around the house once again, trying to be sure she was in the right place.
"Of course this is Sebastian's apartment," she muttered in a low voice, more to herself.
Slowly, as though her legs had a will of their own, she made her way toward his bedroom. The closer she got, the clearer the faint voices became.
"You still haven't ended things with her?" a woman's voice demanded, sharp and irritated.
Following the question, Bethany's breath hitched. She recognized that voice.
"I told you," Sebastian replied, his tone low and defensive. "It's not that simple, Clara. I need to play this right."
Clara? Her stepsister?
Bethany's chest tightened, her breath shallow. Why was Clara here? What was Sebastian playing at?
"I don't care how you do it, Sebastian," Clara hissed. "If this marriage doesn't go through, your father's entire deal with mine is dead. And believe me, if that happens, we're both finished."
'Marriage? What marriage?' Bethany thought, her heart pounded in her ears.
Sebastian sighed and replied, "I'll end it with Bethy tonight. I just need to make her believe it's her idea, not mine."
She peered through the slight crack in the door, and the sight nearly brought her to her knees.
Clara was lying in Sebastian's arms, her head resting on his chest, a satisfied smile on her face.
This wasn't just a day thing...they have been having an affair behind her back.
"What about the ring you told her?" Clara asked, trailing a finger on his chest.
"It's to get your own size, and put her hopes up... Killing two birds with one stone." Sebastian replied with a smug.
Bethany staggered back, her hand covering her mouth as bile rose in her throat. She glanced at her fingers, noticing she and Clara actually have the same sizes.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she swallowed the sob threatening to escape. She couldn't stay there any longer.
Quietly, she turned and walked out of the apartment, carefully not to make any sound. She hopped in her car and drove away, her hands gripping the wheel tightly.
The ride home was a blur. Bethany stared out of the window, her reflection a ghost of the person she'd been just hours ago.
By the time she got home, her mother was not yet back from her weekly hospital visit. And that relieved her.
Seeing anyone right now could be a disaster to her turmoil.
Bethany climbed the stairs to her room, shut the door, and paced the small space, her thoughts spiraling.
"How could he? How could they?" she mumbled to herself, anger and heartbreak battling within her.
Sebastian had been her safe haven, the one person she trusted beyond anyone else for the past five years.
And Clara… Bethany's stomach churned at the thought of her stepsister.
From the day her father married Clara's mother, Bethany's life had been a series of battles. But this? This was the ultimate of it all.
An hour later, the sound of the front door opening pulled Bethany from her thoughts. She rushed downstairs, her heart thudding as she saw Clara stepped into the house.
"Where are you coming from?" Bethany demanded, blocking her path.
Clara didn't answer. She smirked and tried to walk past, but Bethany stepped in her way again.
"Don't ignore me!" She shouted. "I know where you've been! Sebastian's apartment?"
"And?" Clara rolled her eyes. "What are you going to do about it? Cry?"
"Huh?!" That single word escaped Bethany's lips in shock and she clenched her fists.
"How could you do this to me? To your own blood stepsister? You've always been vile, but this—this is disgusting! Sleeping with my boyfriend!"
"Hahahaha," Clara laughed, the sound cold and dismissive.
"Thank God you said boyfriend, and not husband... And don't act like you're some saint. If Sebastian doesn't want you anymore, maybe you should take the hint."
"You bitch!" Bethany snapped, her voice trembling with rage. "You are ev—"
"What's going on here?" a firm voice interrupted from behind.
Bethany turned to see her mother walking in, clutching a hospital bag. Behind her were her father and Clara's mother, their faces etched with confusion.
"Perfect timing," Clara muttered under her breath, and Bethany didn't hesitate as well.
"Tell them, Clara," she said, her voice loud and clear. "Tell them how you've been sneaking around with Sebastian, my boyfriend!"
Their father's brow immediately furrowed. "Bethany, lower your voice. What's this nonsense?"
"It's not nonsense, dad!" Bethany shot back, tears threatening to spill. "I saw them together. Clara and Sebastian!"
Before anyone else could speak, Clara's mother placed a hand on her husband's arm.
"This doesn't sound like something we should be discussing like this," she said, her tone calm but malicious. "The maids can all hear."
But their father ignored her comment.
"Bethy," he called, his voice cold, "this shouldn't be an issue."
"What!" Bethany blinked.
Her father sighed, as though explaining something simple to a child. "Sebastian is Clara's boyfriend now. You shouldn't hold on to something that isn't yours anymore."
Bethany's jaw dropped.
"He's not—he's my boyfriend! We've been together for five years!"
"And it doesn't matter," her father said, waving her off. "You're getting married into the Williams family soon anyway."
After the sudden announcement, the room fell silent. Bethany stared at him, her mind struggling to process his words.
"What did you just say?" she whispered, and her father crossed his arms.
"You're going to marry the Williams family's second son. It's already arranged."
Bethany shook her head, confusion and disbelief colliding.
"The Williams family? The same Williams family that went bankrupt last year? And their second son? No one has even seen him in years!"
"That's enough," her father snapped. "This isn't up for debate."
Bethany looked around the room, her gaze falling on each face. Her mother's expression was one of quiet shock, Clara and her mom were smug, and her father's was resolute.
Her world had just crumbled, and now, another blow had been dealt.
And the worst part? No one has ever set eyes on the second son of the Williams family in years...