Kaidën's lips touched Remy's, and she felt a familiar bliss. Memories from their first night came alive, and she reciprocated his passion, wanting to feel something other than the ache in her heart.
The kiss deepened, and Remy's senses were overwhelmed by Kaidën's warm lips and gentle touch.
Without breaking the kiss, Kaidën guided Remy to lie down on the plush bed.
She felt a flutter in her chest, wondering if he would fulfill his promise.
But instead, he propped himself up on his elbow, locked eyes with hers, and gently closed her eyelids with his fingertips.
"Sleep, Remy," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "That's enough for tonight."
He covered her with the soft duvet, enveloping her in warmth and comfort.
Remy pretended to sleep, holding her breath until Kaidën left the room.
Without his warmth, she was now left to drown in her own painful thoughts and memories.
A maid entered the room, gliding Remy's wheelchair across the floor. "Miss Vaughn?" Remy didn't respond, still caught up in her emotions.
The maid called out again, but Remy remained silent.
On the third attempt, the maid said, "Miss Vaughn?" and Remy finally responded, her voice muffled and impatient, "Get out."
The maid began to back away, but Remy called out, "Wait... I'm sorry for yelling. I just want to be alone now. Thank you."
The maid bowed and rolled Remy's wheelchair closer to the bed before quietly exiting the room, leaving Remy to her tears and turbulent thoughts.
*
*
*
Flashback:
Two weeks ago, Remy had been excited to pick out the perfect engagement ring for her and Julian.
She had called Julian to confirm their plans to go ring shopping together, but he had begged off, citing an urgent meeting.
Disappointed but understanding, Remy decided to go ahead and pick out the ring herself.
She left the house with her personal maid, Avery, and three trusted bodyguards.
As they arrived at the jewelry store, Remy tried on several rings before finding the perfect one.
But when they arrived at Julian's house, Remy noticed something that made her heart skip a beat - Sophia's car was parked outside.
Remy's instincts told her something was off, so she instructed Avery to take her to the back entrance.
They entered through a side door and made their way upstairs, Remy's anxiety grew with each passing second.
Julian's door was slightly opened and they peeked inside his bedroom, the sight that came into view made Remy wish she had not come there because it would haunt her forever - Julian and Sophia entwined in a passionate embrace.
Sophia was wrapped in Julian's arms, his eyes were closed, his face contorted in a mixture of pleasure and adoration.
Sophia's eyes were closed too, her face tilted upwards, her lips parted in ecstasy.
Remy felt like she had been punched in the gut, unable to breathe or think.
All she could do was stare at the scene before her, her mind reeling with shock and betrayal.
It didn't take Remy long to realize that this wasn't a one-time mistake - Julian and Sophia had been together for a long time.
Remy's heart shattered into a million pieces as she watched, frozen in horror.
The image of Julian and Sophia together was stuck to her mind, a harsh reality that threatened to shatter her life.
Avery's eyes blazed with anger as she gazed at Julian and Sophia. "Shameless!" she hissed, with a disgusted voice.
Julian and Sophia paused, surprised by the interruption. But they didn't stop, didn't bother to acknowledge Avery's presence.
Avery's face clouded with irritation. She lunged forward, but Remy grabbed her arm, holding her back.
"Stop, Avery," Remy whispered, her voice trembling.
Avery spun around, confusion etched on her face. "Why? They have the nerve!" But Remy held firm, her grip tightening on Avery's arm.
Remy's grip on Avery's arm tightened. She wanted to be the one to confront Julian and Sophia, to kick Julian so hard and slam Sophia's head to the edge of that bed.
Make them regret what they did. But she couldn't walk, and it made her feel helpless and sad.
A tear rolled down her face as she struggled to contain her emotions. But Avery didn't listen. She shook off Remy's grip and stormed into the room.
Sophia and Julian were too caught up in their passion to notice Avery's approach.
Avery grabbed a cup of water and wine from the table and yanked the duvet off Sophia and Julian, exposing them.
Sophia shrieked in rage as Avery poured the drink over them. Julian cursed, trying to cover himself. Sophia's face turned red with fury as she launched herself at Avery.
"You bitch!" Sophia spat, but Avery was ready. She spilled the remaining liquid directly onto Sophia's face, halting her attack.
The scene turned chaotic, with Sophia and Julian stunned and humiliated.
Remy watched, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt proud and touched that Avery stood up for her.
Avery's eyes flashed with anger as Sophia's face twisted in rage. "You're the bitch, Sophia," Avery spat, her voice low and cold.
Sophia's face turned red with indignation. "You have no right to speak to me like that," she hissed.
Avery slapped Sophia, the sound echoing through the room. Sophia's eyes widened in shock and rage.
Julian lunged forward, but one of the bodyguards, Axel caught his wrist. "I don't think you should do that, sir," the guard said, his voice firm but polite.
The bodyguards, who had been waiting outside, had rushed in when they heard the commotion. The scene that greeted them was Julian's hand raised to hit Avery, and they quickly intervened.
Sophia sprang into action, covering herself with her arms and diving under the duvet immediately they stepped in. Her face contorted in shame and fury, her eyes blazing with humiliation.
She was still exposed and hadn't thought of covering herself before she attacked Avery.
Remy watched the whole scene unfold, without much of any expression on her face. When she thought the situation couldn't get any worse, Avery had actually turned everything upside down.
The scene turned out with Sophia covering herself, her face contorted in shame and fury. Remy watched, her expression neutral, as Avery stood tall, her eyes blazing with fury.
Remy was surprised by Avery's bold reaction to Julian and Sophia's actions. She felt satisfied at seeing Sophia's indignant face, but also worried about the consequences Avery might face from her stepmother for touching her precious jewel.
Julian was furious, but Remy and Avery left them behind and returned home.
*
*
As Remy had expected, everything had turned out to be her fault. When they got back home, Sophia was already cradled in father's arms, bawling her eyes out in one of her mastered pretentious attitudes.
She was an expert in fake tears, fake concern, fake soft voice, fake weakness - everything about her was so fake!
Remy watched in disgust as Sophia twisted the story, making her seem like the bad guy. Sophia's voice trembled with fake emotion, her eyes brimming with fake tears.
Remy's parents cooed and comforted Sophia, completely taken in by her act. Julian sat beside them, his head bowed.
Remy didn't have the energy for their drama. She just wanted to be alone, to cry and nurse her broken heart.
But her stepmother, Helena, had other plans. As soon as Remy walked in, Helena stood up, her face twisted in anger, and launched herself at Avery.
"You dare to lay hands on my daughter?" Helena shrieked, slapping Avery across the cheek.
Remy tried to intervene, but Helena was beyond reason. "Mom stop! You can't keep hitting her like that," Remy cried out.
"I'm not your mother so shut your mouth!" she said with an icy tone. "Oh, so I can't hit her? Is her life equal to my daughter's own? She hit my daughter, and you actually sat there, like the useless cripple you are and did nothing! You allowed her to raise her filthy hands on my daughter!! You deserve to be hit too!!."
Helena slapped Remy across the face, her hand cracking against Remy's cheek. The impact of the slap undid Remy's hair which was packed in a loose bun, scattering all over her face.
Avery and Remy's guards immediately stepped forward, forming a barrier between Helena and Remy. "That's enough, Madam Helena," Drel said, his voice firm.
Helena's face turned beet red in anger. "You...you all have lost your mind!" she spluttered.
Avery spoke up, her voice steady and bold. "We're fed up Helena! we're done with your abuse. Are you going to fire us? We'd gladly leave without regrets."
Helena's eyes widened in shock, and she turned to her husband, Grant Harrison. "Did you hear that? They don't respect me!"
Grant Harrison's eyes darkened, and he stood up. "Helena, calm down a bit."
But Helena insisted. "No, I won't calm down! They're fired, and blacklisted! I'll make sure nobody hires them, even as a janitor!"
Grant Harrison's expression remained calm, but his voice was firm. "Well, if that's what you want, then you can go ahead with it."