Chapter 2

Madison

I looked at them — James, still zipping up his pants, and Lila, casually adjusting the strap of her dress like she wasn't standing half-naked in a room that wasn't hers. She pulled her dress down, straightening it lazily.

It should've crushed me.

But all I felt was… a strange, hollow kind of amusement.

So this was it. The big sacrifice. The grand alliance that was supposed to save our family. What a joke. I didn't want to marry James but that doesn't mean that I enjoying seeing my fiancee banging my sister behind my back.

I folded my arms, eyes cool as they flicked over the two people who were supposed to matter most today. "James," I said evenly. "We need to talk. Alone."

He opened his mouth, probably to scramble for an excuse or apology — but of course, Lila didn't give him the chance. She looked so different from her usual docile demeanor. She looked almost proud of what she has done.

"Aww," she cooed, fake-sweet and smug, "you don't really want to ruin your makeup right before the ceremony, do you, Mads?"she asked with the pout, her lipstick was smeared and she turned towards the dresser mirror trying to touch up her makeup which was absolutely messy now. Her neck was covered in fresh hickeys.

I turned to her slowly, watching the way she looked at James like a prize she'd just stolen. Her tone dripped with mockery. She wanted me to break down. To cry. To scream.

Instead, I smiled — just slightly. "Don't worry," I said. "That's not what this is."

James looked like he'd rather disappear into the floor. "Madison, I didn't mean—"

A knock, then the door swung open before he could finish. The waiter looked at all of us and I could see the lights in his head turning on exact moment.

A waiter stood there, expression neutral. "Mr. Harlow, you're needed. The ceremony is about to begin."

James glanced between me and Lila like a man about to walk into his own funeral.

I exhaled, slow and steady, then turned my gaze toward him — the stranger from the hallway. He was still there, arms crossed, leaning against the wall like he was watching a particularly boring play. He was standing casually, hands in his pockets, looking at me with unreadable expression.

I didn't need an audience.

"Thank you for your help," I said, voice cool. "You can go now."

He gave a casual shrug, like nothing that had just happened surprised him. "Sure. Good luck with the fairytale." Then he turned and strolled out.

But he didn't get far.

From where I stood, I saw it — just beyond the doorway, my parents approaching. My heart caught when they nodded at him.

"We'll sign the agreement this evening," my father said.

My mother gave him a warm smile. "We appreciate your cooperation, Mr. Thorne."

Thorne?

So the man who witnessed my humiliation wasn't just some smug onlooker — he was someone important. Someone tied to my parents' business. I filed the name away, even as my mind spun.

Before I could ask anything, my mother turned to me with that usual tight smile. "There you are, darling. Come on — we need to get you ready."

"Mom," I began, stepping forward. "I can't marry him. Not after—" my words were of course cut short like always.

"We'll talk about it later," she cut in, already guiding me down the hallway. "Let's not cause a scene. Everyone's waiting."

Yeah everyone is waiting, from dad's business partners to the media everyone is waiting.

My father followed behind, speaking quietly with Alex Thorne as they walked in the opposite direction. Alex looked at me, his lips turning into a smirk before he looked away.

I felt trapped. Not just in the moment — but in the dress, in the air, in my skin. I wanted to scream, but the silence between my mother and me was too heavy. How could I marry a person who was with my own sister minutes before our wedding? How can I expect loyalty from someone who is been cheating on me even before he was officially tied to me?

Soon, I stood in front of a mirror again, surrounded by stylists who fussed with lace and pins. I barely felt them. They touch up my makeup, put a dark red lipstick on my lips. They put a necklace on me which was our family heirloom.

My hair was perfect, make up was perfect and I knew that I looked good too.

But everything blurred.

And then… the ceremony began. My worst nightmare began.

Guests clapped politely as James took his place. He looked calm as if I didn't just catch him cheating on me. The officiant began his practiced speech. My mother's hand on my lower back gently nudged me forward. Lila sat in the front chair, hickeys on display with smirk on her face.

I walked down the aisle like a ghost in a white gown.

I could still hear Lila's laugh. Still taste the bitterness in James's eyes.

But I walked.

Until the lights dimmed.

Until the screen behind the altar flickered to life.

And suddenly — a photo appeared.

Me. With a man I didn't recognize. In bed. Kissing.

More photos followed. Me laughing. Me lying close. Me, supposedly having an affair. The man was holding me with intimacy in the bed.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. It got chaotic.

My heart stopped. What is happening. I don't know this man, I've never been with him and I've never seen this person.

What—?

What the hell was this?

I turned toward James. His mouth was hanging open, eyes wide in manufactured shock.

"Unbelievable," he spat, loud enough for everyone to hear. "This is what you've been doing?"

Huh. You are one to say!

"No—" I breathed, but the words came too late.

People were already whispering. My mother looked horrified. My father wasn't even there. Everyone was looking at me with disgust. Media was having a fun of their life, clicking pictures and recording videos. It was not everyday you could see something like this.

And James?

James stepped away from me like I was diseased. As if he was pure and I was the dirt.

"I refuse to marry a liar," he said coldly. "This wedding is off."

The room erupted.

Cameras flashed.

I stood there — still in white — with betrayal burning down the aisle behind me, and nothing but shame waiting at the altar.