Chapter 3
1193 Words
SARAPHINA'S POV
I stared at Ciara, stunned into silence, unable to believe she would go this far just to bring me down. Her words echoed in my head, each one a dagger. My body trembled uncontrollably, and I felt the last bit of strength drain from me.
"You ruined me." I whispered, voice hoarse. "You destroyed everything."
Ciara stood tall, her expression smug. "Correction—I exposed you. The world just saw what I've always known: you're weak, and you're not better than me."
As I watched her turn to leave, something inside me shifted. Beneath the pain, beneath the humiliation, a quiet flame sparked.
She thought she'd won.
She thought I was finished.
But I wasn't.
Not yet.
I stood up in rage and walked towards Ciara, grabbing her by the hair and forcefully pulling her back, then I landed three slaps on her face before shoving her down as hard as I could.
"You b***h!" I screamed. "You would pay for this. I swear you would pay for this. I'll expose you. I expose everything."
"Saraphina!" Lucien called loudly as he rushed towards me, but I was already on Ciara, raining heavy beatings on her. I didn't stop, no matter how much she begged.
Then I was yanked away.
Lucien dragged me to my feet and slapped me three times. The sting burned across my face. Then he shoved me back.
"How dare you touch my fiancee?! Got out or I'll call the cops!" He barked, eyes blazing.
I clutched my cheek, stunned. "Lucien..." I whispered, pain lacing every syllable.
"Don't make me repeat myself, Sara.'' He growled. ''Don't make me do something I'll regret later. I'm only letting you off easily for old times sake, but if you ever show yourself in front of us or try to hurt Ciara. I promise I'll make you regret your very own existence." He threatened, his voice dark.
"Lucien!" Ciara cried, and in a flash, he was by her side, helping her up gently. I watched in silent agony as the man I loved comforted the woman who had destroyed me.
"I know you feel betrayed, Sara." Ciara said, now playing the victim. "But you can't blame me for your own mistakes."
I scoffed. "You're a damn good actress, Ciara. You framed me. You orchestrated everything. And now you're playing innocent."
I turned to Lucien. "How can you not see this? How can you not what she's doing? How can you not see that she's the one behind all this? She's trying to ruin everything for me, Lucien. Why won't you believe me?!" I cried out.
"Leave now, Sara.'' He said coldly. ''Don't make me kick you out."
"Fine." I wiped my tears, voice trembling. "But I want you to know that I'm highly disappointed in you, Lucien. You betrayed my love and trust in you. I expected you to stand by me in all this, but you're not even giving me the chance to defend myself. You picked her over me." I wiped away my tears.
"You moved on so easily. Forgot all about the promise you made to me. But I promise you this, sooner or later, you'll come to regret your actions this very day. And if the day comes when you'll beg for my forgiveness, I promise I'll spit on you and kick you out the same way you're kicking me out." I yelled.
"And as for you, Ciara. Don't think I'll let this slide. I've always treated you so well despite how you've always been harsh towards me. I've always loved you as my own sister, never thought I was better than you. And dad, he loves you equally, but your jealousy blinded you so much that you failed to see that and only believed what you wanted to believe."
"Nothing can be hidden under the sun for too long. I will find every evidence against you, and then I'll expose you for the whole world to see the kind of devilish person you are. You will regret this, Ciara. I promise you that."
"I will reveal the truth, even if it's the last thing I do. Even if I die trying. I will reveal everything." I vowed.
I turned to leave, but Ciara's voice stopped me.
"Hold on, Sara." She came to stand behind me, leaning forward so she could whisper in my ear.
"You've put on a great show. I'm almost touched. But let me be clear: One—you can't expose me because you'll never find any evidence to use against me, so good luck with that. Two—I can help you talk to father, get him to forgive you, after all we both know I'm the only one he'll listen to now. But my condition is that you attend I and Lucien's wedding."
I turned sharply, eyes wide. "What else do you want from me, Ciara? Stealing the man I love isn't enough, now you want to make me watch both of you get married? What the f**k do you want from me?!'' I half yelled.
Ciara rolled her eyes. "Come on, Sara. I'm not done having my fun yet." She smirked. "But this is a small price to pay for father's forgiveness. At least you'll still have one person you love by your side."
She shrugged. "Think about it. Now off you go. I've got a wedding to plan."
I turned and walked away, each step heavier than the last. The weight of everything —my father's rejection, Lucien's betrayal, Ciara's cruelty —pressed down on me like a mountain. My legs trembled beneath me, and I had to fight just to stay upright.
By the time I reached my car, I could barely breathe.
I opened the door, slid into the driver's seat and shut it behind me. The silence inside felt suffocating. I gripped the steering wheel, then slowly lowered my head onto it.
And I wept.
Bitter, heart-wrenching sobs tore from my chest. I cried for everything I'd lost—for the love that turned its back on me, for the family that cast me out, for the truth buried beneath lies.
Then my phone rang.
Through blurred vision and trembling hands, I picked it up. It was Susan, my best friend.
I answered, but no words came. Only sobs.
"Sara?" Susan's voice was soft, but urgent. "Where are you? Please talk to me."
I tried, but all I could do was cry.
"Saraphina." She said again, her voice cracking. "Where are you? I'm coming to get you. Just tell me where you are."
I sniffled, forcing the words out. "Lucien's house." I whispered.
"Okay. Stay there. I'm on my way." She said, her voice thick with emotion. "Hang in there, Sara. Please."
She hung up.
I dropped the phone onto the passenger seat and bowed my head once more onto the steering wheel. My sobs returned, louder this time, raw and uncontrollable.
Then the rain began.
Soft at first, then heavier, drumming against the roof, the windshield, the windows. The sound wrapped around me, masking my cries, as if the sky itself had decided to mourn with me.
- Writer
