Beyond betrayal

Piper Witchwood, a stunning 24-year-old beauty, had been trapped in a loveless marriage with Lucas Garrison, heir to one of Brookville's most influential families, for four grueling years. The Garrison were the top three most wealthy and influential family in the whole city. Piper worked as a secretary at his company, she worked diligently, only to have her earnings funneled into his account, leaving her financially dependent and powerless.

Despite her tireless efforts as a dutiful wife, she was treated more like a servant, shouldering household responsibilities without any appreciation or affection. The marriage had been arranged by her grandfather, who had hoped it would bring her happiness. But Piper's reality was far from it. She endured the emotional and psychological strain, holding onto the hope that Lucas would eventually come to love her. However, the façade of their marriage crumbled the moment she walked into her house after a long day at work. Clothes were scattered everywhere, and an unsettling silence hung in the air, broken only by the muffled sounds of murmurs coming from her bedroom. As she approached her room, her heart sank. She heard the unmistakable voice of her supposed best friend, Maddie, cooing sweet nothings to Lucas. The door was slightly ajar, and Piper's curiosity got the better of her. She pushed it open, and her world came crashing down. There, in her own bed, was Lucas, entwined with Maddie, who was beaming with pride as she announced, "I'm pregnant, babe." Lucas's response was laced with affection, and Piper felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. "What the hell is going on here, Maddie?" Piper demanded, her voice trembling with rage and hurt. "How could you do this to me? You're carrying my husband's child... I thought we were close friends... How could you betray me like this?" Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to comprehend the depth of their deceit. Maddie's response was cold and calculating. "Well, now you know. There's nothing to hide anymore. I'm carrying his child, and it's time for you to leave. I'm the new wife here now." Piper's eyes widened in shock as Maddie delivered the final blow: "And let's get one thing straight – I was never your best friend. Someone like me shouldn't be seen with a low-class person like you. I was only being your friend out of pity." Piper's world was crumbling around her. The revelation that her best friend, Maddie Jenkins, had been manipulating her all along to get closer to her husband, Lucas, left her reeling. She thought back to the days when Maddie had been her rock, her confidante, and her partner in every sense of the word. They had met at the company, where Maddie was an assistant manager, and Piper was a secretary. Maddie's kindness and warmth had drawn Piper in, and she had considered her a true friend. But now, it all made sense. Maddie's constant presence in her life, her comforting words, and her supposed friendship – it was all a ruse. Piper's eyes welled up with tears as she remembered the countless times Maddie had been there for her, only to use her as a means to an end. The memories came flooding back, and Piper's heart ached with every recollection. As she stood there, frozen in shock, Lucas walked out of the room, leaving Maddie to respond to Piper's accusations. "Maddie, you claimed to be my best friend but you how can you be this evil?" Piper asked angrily. Maddie's tone turned venomous, "Did you put something in your ears when I said it the first time, or do I have to repeat myself that you're not my best friend?" She spat the words out, her anger and disdain evident. "Don't bother calling me that again," she added, before hurrying after Lucas, calling out to him like a possessive lover. Piper's world came crashing down around her. She stood there, tears streaming down her face, she realized that she was alone, with no one to turn to. Her marriage was a sham, her friendship was a lie, and she was trapped in a world that didn't care about her. Piper's tears had dried up, replaced by a steely determination. She realized that crying wouldn't change her circumstances, and she couldn't afford to waste any more time. The harsh reality was that Maddie was pregnant with Lucas's child, and Piper had been nothing more than a mere spectator in her own marriage. The thought of being a married virgin for four years was a painful reminder of her failed relationship. The next day, Piper went to work, her emotions numb and her mind preoccupied with the events of the previous day. Piper noticed that Maddie was absent from work. She didn't bother to wonder why; it wasn't her concern anymore. But when she returned home and entered her room, she was met with her closet empty, replaced by new clothes that didn't belong to her. Maddie sauntered into the room, lounging on the bed as she taunted Piper. "What are you doing in my closet? You want to steal my clothes? I know you're cheap, but are you that worthless?" Piper's anger simmered, but she kept her cool, demanding to know where her clothes were. Maddie's response was laced with venom. "Well, I don't know why you're still in this house. You should have been long gone, girl." Piper's patience wore thin, and she shouted, "Where the fuck did you put my clothes?" Maddie's laughter was mocking, her words dripping with malice. "Relax, girl. I burned them. You should leave this house for me. Lucas is mine, and this house is also mine." Piper's eyes widened in horror. "You what?" she asked, her voice trembling with rage. Maddie's smile was triumphant. "You heard me right, baby girl. I burned them. You're nothing but a relic of the past, and it's time you left." The confrontation escalated, with Piper's anger boiling over. "Why are you so shameless?" she spat, her eyes welling up with tears. Maddie's response was cold. "You're the shameless one for still staying after knowing I'm carrying Lucas's baby." Piper's words were laced with anger. "Oh no, you're the one who's shameless and evil for befriending someone only to steal what's theirs. And do you think he'll take you seriously after knowing the kind of person you are? You're just his slut and baby mama. Deal with it." Maddie's anger flared, and she stood up to slap Piper. But Piper wasn't one to back down. She was about to retaliate and the situation might have gotten out of hand if Lucas hadn't intervened. "Babe, Piper slapped me and wants to hurt our baby," Maddie cried, fake tears streaming down her face. Lucas's expression was thunderous. "No, I didn't try to hurt her baby, and I didn't slap her," Piper defended herself. But Lucas wasn't interested in hearing her side of the story. "But I saw you trying to slap her. I think you don't know your place anymore. And you have the right to hurt my baby because you couldn't carry a child, isn't it?" Piper tried to explain, but Lucas cut her short. "The only reason you're still in this house is because of my grandfather brought you here. And as of this instant, you're no longer welcome. No more words from you. I need you to leave this house now. And as for the divorce, you know where the location is. Meet me there by 11 am tomorrow." Piper's world came crashing down around her. She was being thrown out of her own home, accused of something she didn't do. She packed her few belongings, her heart heavy with sorrow. Where would she go now? And why did bad things always happen to her? The injustice of it all was overwhelming, and Piper couldn't help but wonder if she was destined to suffer.