Chapter 1.
Clara's Pov
I stepped into the VIP hotel room, confusion knotting in my chest as I wondered why my fiancé, Evans Merl, had suddenly called me here.
After my mother passed away, I’d been taken in by my stepfather, who later brought home my stepmother and her daughter.
Life had never really been the same after that.
My stepfather always wanted to build a closer relationship with the powerful Merl family, so an engagement was arranged between me and their young master, Evans Merl.
I never liked him. But out of gratitude — or maybe guilt — I agreed, just like my stepmother kept reminding me to. And I hoped that somehow, by doing so, my father might finally see me… instead of only loving my stepsister.
The engagement ceremony should have happened long ago, but something unexpected had stopped everything.
My stepsister disappeared without a trace.
And Evans insisted the ceremony would only go on when she returned.
I didn’t think too much of it at the time.
But now… this sudden call to meet him here felt strange.
Suspicious.
As I walked further inside, a sound froze me in place.
A woman’s moan.
A man’s heavy breathing.
My heart stopped.
Had I gone into the wrong room?
I turned to double-check the hotel room number Evans had sent me — but then I heard it.
“God, Emily… you’re so tight.”
Evans.
And Emily.
Emily… my stepsister.
No. That couldn’t be.
She wouldn’t do that to me.
He wouldn’t do that to me.
They couldn’t.
But the moans only grew louder, echoing through the quiet suite.
My hands trembled as I stepped toward the bedroom, the door slightly open… inviting the truth I didn’t want to see.
And then I did.
Emily and Evans. Naked. Tangled together.
Laughing.
Kissing.
Wanting.
My world shattered into dust in that instant.
I had trusted them.
I had defended them. I had believed in them.
And they stabbed me right through the heart.
I stood there, frozen, my chest tightening until I could barely breathe…All I could do was stand there, shock rooting me to the spot, my mind reeling from the betrayal unfolding before my eyes.
My world shattered.
Everything inside me went completely still — then broke apart all at once. The trust. The loyalty. The quiet love I had guarded so carefully…
Gone.
Just like that.
I stood there, on the verge of breaking — the pain so sharp I could barely breathe.
Evans chuckled softly.
“Why isn’t Clara Cole here yet? I can’t wait to see her face when she realizes she’s been fooled all these years.”
Emily ran her fingers through his hair and laughed.
“She’s so stupid. Crying so hard when I went missing back then… meanwhile you disappeared on purpose just to stop the engagement so you wouldn’t have to marry her.
And still — she adored you.”
Evans smirked.
“We only stayed close to her for her mother’s inheritance.
But now, we don’t even need the marriage.
Once she dies, everything will be ours.”
Emily’s smile widened with satisfaction.
My heart pounded as I listened.
My hands curled into fists.
Anger burned through my chest.
They had toyed with my heart.
Used me.
Lied to me.
I couldn’t stay silent anymore.
“Evans Merl!” I shouted as I stormed into the room.
They simply chuckled.
My voice trembled with rage.
“Aren’t you ashamed? Sleeping with my step-sister?”
Emily scoffed.
“Who are you to question him? Do you think Brother Evans could stand being with someone as boring as you? You wouldn’t even sleep with him.”
She lifted her chin proudly.
“I am everything he needs.”
The words sliced through my chest like knives.
This was the sister I had loved. Protected. Trusted.
My throat tightened.
“So… the affection… the bond… all of it was a lie?”
Emily sneered.
“It was always a lie. You never mattered to anyone in the Cole family.”
My heart shattered. My vision wavered. A strange dizziness washed over me.
I turned to leave — but Evans’ cold voice stopped me.
“You won’t be walking out of here alive, Clara Cole.”
Fear gripped me.
“What… what do you mean?”
He smirked.
“You must feel it by now. The dizziness.
The heat.
You’ve been drugged.
Your body will crave s*x — and when it’s over, you’ll die.”
My heart raced wildly.
“What did you do to me?!” I cried.
Suddenly I remembered —
The waiter.
The drink.
My body weakened.
Heat spread through my veins. My legs trembled.
“Help… please…” I whispered.
But they only watched.
Evans spoke coldly.
“Consider this our farewell gift.”
I collapsed onto the bed.
“Go join your stupid mother soon,” Emily added cruelly, clinging to Evans’ arm as they walked out together.
“You… you…” I tried to speak — but my voice faded.
Sweat broke across my skin. The burning desire grew stronger.
My consciousness slipped.
I had fallen into their trap.
Then—
The door opened.
A tall figure stepped inside. The man closed the door behind him with a soft click.
Through my blurred vision, I saw only his shadow.
Who… who is he…?
