Ex's Revenge

CHAPTER ONE

My name is Amelia Willows. I am 25 years old. I am the adopted daughter of the Willows family and the soon-to-be in-law of the Stones family. I am to marry Collins Stone, the heir to the Stones enterprise. My life sailed smoothly until the biological daughter of the Willows family was found. Her name was Bethany.

Back to the story.

As I sat down with one foot on either side of the ledge, looking down from twelve stories above the streets of LA, I couldn't help but think about Collins’ recent behaviors. Something about it just seemed off, from the prolonged meetings to the impromptu business trips I found out never existed. But there was still this part of me that thought it was all in my head and that it was just time away from each other that was causing these thoughts. Or maybe I was just a grown woman hopelessly in love with her childhood sweetheart, like a teenager who just had her first crush. Smiling at my foolish thought, I canceled my schedule, booked the next flight to Boston, and decided to surprise Collins at the suite my parents booked for us.

Arriving at the hotel room, I keyed in my card. Worn out from the trip, I tossed my heels, dropped my coat, and walked straight to the room to find my stepsister lying naked on the bed.

She doesn’t look surprised or the least bit worried she was caught.

"Hi, Amelia," she said smoothly, her voice hinted with mockery. "How nice of you to drop in uninvited."

My heart raced, blood pounding in my ears. "Excuse me, Bethany?" My voice sliced, quaking with barely bridled rage. I scanned the room, searching for answers, an explanation, until Collins stepped out of the bathroom, his face going pale when he caught my eye.

"What... what are you doing here?" He stuttered, his voice trembling with panic.

"Are you serious right now?" My temper flaring, I held back my anger.

"It’s not what it looks like," he said hastily, trying to gaslight his way out like he always does.

"I was just helping Bethany out."

She let out a mocking laugh that cut through my veins. "Yes, Amy, you need to chill. He was just helping me out."

I gave Bethany a dead stare before turning to face Collins.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure out what you were helping her with, Collins."

"Do you want to know what is more messed up?" I said, my voice shaking from the betrayal. "You made me feel like I was the only one in the world for you."

Tears began to roll down my eyes, my hand clenching to my chest as the room became more and more suffocating. "And suddenly, you let me down with my own sister? I have gone through a lot more than you know. I have been broken emotionally, and the only thing I looked forward to was ending my day with you."

"Amy, don’t you think you are overthinking it? It’s not a big deal. He was just helping me out."

I turned to face Bethany, who was still lying naked on the bed. I let out a laugh underneath my sob.

"The one thing I had to myself, you just couldn’t keep your hands off it, Bethany. Fine, he was helping you with what, Bethany? WITH GODDAMN WHAT, THAT NO ONE IN THIS WORLD COULD HAVE HELPED YOU WITH EXCEPT YOUR SISTER'S FIANCÉ IN A HOTEL ROOM?! GET OUT. NOW."

Still lazing about, she ignored me.

I shouted this time, not holding back my temper. "BETHANY AMARI WILLOW, GET THE HELL OUT!"

Throwing the wine glass in her direction, she picked up her clothes in a hurry and left the room.

"Amy, I can explain."

"Don’t bother," I said as the betrayal settled in, asking questions I already knew the answers to. "Why, Collins? Why?"

"You got too busy to spend time with me, and then"

I cut him off before he could finish the sentence. "Don’t you dare put the blame on me. All I ever did was love you, Collins, and you cheated on me not just that, but with my own sister. The sting of disrespect splashes across my face. What was I thinking?" I said to myself.

As the sobs turned into full-blown tears, I hit his chest, wailing. "How could you, Collins? How could you do this to me?"

"Amy, you know I love you."

"Love me, you say?" I asked bitterly. "I stood by your side even when you pushed me away. You know it hurts the most when you give your all to someone. Through thick and thin, you stick with them no matter what. Then one day, everything changes. The one thing I would never think of doing to you in the last seven years together, you did it without hesitation, Collins."

My crying continued, my chest became tighter, and I felt myself having a panic attack as my breathing spiraled uncontrollably.

"Amy, are you okay?"

Collins’ voice faded into the distance as everything went black.

When I woke, I was greeted with the strong smell of antiseptic. The nurse came in to check my vitals.

"You’re awake, Miss Willow."

"What happened?" I asked, my hand on my head.

"You fainted, ma’am."

The nurse kept saying a bunch of other things, but I was distracted by the news on the TV.

"Can you increase the volume of the TV?"

"Good morning, everyone. We bring to you the juiciest gossip from the world of the millionaires. Drumroll! Get ready as I announce the engagement of the century, one that will keep you all talking for months. The Stones and the Willows unite!"

My world fell before my eyes.

"It’s the engagement of Bethany Willow and Collins Stone. They are throwing an engagement party tonight. We will be live to give you the deeds, the juicy gossip, and the drama."

"I am your host, Michelle Clinton, and that’s a wrap for today. Until next time, gossip lovers!"

My world fell apart before my eyes.

"WHAT?!"

DOES AMELIA FEEL DESPAIR OR RAGE OR DOES SHE FEEL BOTH, DOES SHE CONFRONT HER FAMILY FIND OUT IN CHAPTER TWO