BOUND BY BETRAYAL, MARRIED TO THE COLD CEO

The clouds outside were thick and dark, swallowing every trace of light, and somehow the sitting room felt the same—tight, heavy, hard to breathe in. Dad and Aunt Juli stood in front of me like I had committed some unforgivable crime, like I no longer belonged under that roof. And Natalie... she stayed near the corner, quiet and polished, wearing that innocent face she always used when people were watching. Head lowered, lips soft. But I saw it—the tiny twitch at the edge of her mouth. That hidden smirk. She was enjoying every second of this. “Do you even have any shame?” Dad barked, dragging both hands through his hair. “For this family? For yourself?” “Dad, I’m sorry... I didn’t mean for it to happen. It was an accident—” The lie came out smoothly. Too smoothly. Because I knew exactly what I was doing. And I didn’t regret it. “Shut up, you useless girl!” The slap came fast and sharp. My head jerked sideways, stars flashing across my eyes. Heat exploded across my cheek. I didn’t need to look to know who did it. Aunt Juli. Who else? She never missed a chance to remind me where she thought I belonged. I slowly turned back, pressing my tongue against the inside of my cheek. “You have no right to touch me.” My voice came low and steady. “You are not my mother.” “Watch your mouth, Mylar.” Natalie rushed forward at once, grabbing her mother’s hand like some loyal little guard dog. “She will never be mother to a shameless slut like you.” The word should have hurt. Years ago, it would have. Now it barely touched me. Eight years. Eight whole years, and some memories still lived inside me like fresh wounds. That day. We were on our way to my end-of-year party. I begged my mother to take me. I cried until she gave in. I never gave her a choice. I still remember the panic in her voice when the brakes failed. The way her hands gripped the steering wheel. The way the car refused to obey. Then she moved. No hesitation. No fear. She climbed over and wrapped herself around me. Covered me with her body like mine was the only life that mattered. And then it ended. I lived. She didn’t. Even now, if I close my eyes, I can still hear her voice. Still feel her arms around me. Life didn’t even give me time to grieve. Six months later, Aunt Juli walked into this house like she had always belonged here. Not as a guest. As Dad’s mistress. And Natalie came with her. His other daughter. His other life. While I was still trying to understand how to exist without my mother, they made sure I never felt at home again. The whispers. The insults. The stares. Like I was something rotten they had to tolerate. And Dad? He watched. Sometimes I wonder if he ever loved my mother at all... or if losing her simply made room for the life he already wanted. It became too much. One day, I went to the cliff where the accident happened. I stood there looking down, wondering if it would be easier to end everything. Then I saw her. Not really. Just in my mind. She called my name. She reached for me. And I couldn’t jump. Because she chose me. I wasn’t going to make that sacrifice meaningless. So I stayed. I endured every cruel word, every insult, every day in this house. Because I knew one day things would change. One day I would not be the girl they pitied or looked down on. And now? Now I had become exactly what they always accused me of being. I stopped trying to be good. I started sneaking out, going to clubs, drinking until my thoughts blurred, surrounding myself with people who never asked questions. And now I was pregnant. And I regretted none of it. “What were you thinking, Mylar?” Dad snapped again. “You went too far by sleeping with Marco.” He paced around the room like he was losing control. Not because of me. Never because of me. Because of his image. Mr. Einstein, respected, untouchable. And now his daughter was pregnant out of wedlock. That was what burned him. And honestly? Good. I almost enjoyed watching it. Marco and I had planned this carefully. I would get pregnant. He would come forward. His family would accept me. We would marry. Just like that, I would no longer be the girl trapped in this house under Aunt Juli’s thumb. I would return different. Untouchable. “You know what?” Aunt Juli said suddenly, her lips curling with satisfaction. “She needs to leave this house.” Dad stopped pacing. “What nonsense are you saying?” “She has already disgraced this family,” she said coolly. “Let her go to the man responsible. If he marries her, fine. If not...” She gave a careless shrug. “Then she handles it alone.” “Mom is right,” Natalie added quickly, almost too eager. “That’s the best solution.” Of course she agreed. “No.” Dad shook his head. “She’s not going anywhere. That could make things worse. I can’t—” “It’s fine, Dad.” My voice came out so calm the whole room fell silent. He turned slowly. “What did you say?” I lowered my gaze, gripping my dress just enough to look shaken. “I said it’s fine. I’ll leave. That’s what everyone wants, isn’t it?” For the first time, uncertainty crossed his face. “Where will you go?” he asked. “And how are you so sure this Marco will take responsibility?” “He will,” I said softly. “And I don’t want to bring more shame to this family.” I saw it then. Relief. He tried to hide it, but it was there. He wanted this too. He was just too proud to say it first. So I turned and walked away slowly, letting my steps drag just enough to sell the pain. Letting them believe they had broken me. Letting them believe they had won. I didn’t smile until I stepped outside the room. Then I did. Small. Quiet. Real. Aunt Juli thinks she got rid of me. She has no idea what she just did, she didn’t win, she handed me exactly what I needed. And this time... I won’t be the one losing.