Alison, dressed entirely in black—tailored trousers and a fitted jacket—stepped cautiously into the room, her voice trembling slightly as she called out,


    “Alicia… I’m so, so…”


    “So what?” Alicia interrupted sharply. “Sorry?” Her sneer was cutting, her voice cold.


    With an imploring look, Alison met Alicia’s fiery gaze. “It’s not what you think, Alicia. Please, I’m sorry. Forgive me.”


    Alicia pulled her hand away from Alison’s tentative grip, her expression hardening. “Do you take me for a fool, Alison?” she spat. “Wilson is a jerk, he’s no good for you,” she mocked, echoing Alison’s previous warnings before letting out a dry, bitter laugh. “So, all that concern was just a ploy, wasn’t it? You wanted me to leave him… so you could have him.”


    Closing the gap between them, Alicia’s face hovered dangerously close to Alison’s.


    “I’ll ruin you, Alison,” she hissed, her tone dripping with venom. Her eyes burned with malice, her determination unyielding. “I swear it—I’ll never forgive you.”


    But even as she spoke, Alicia fought the urge to laugh, her hand covering her mouth to stifle the bubbling mirth that threatened to betray her fury.


    “You really think I came here to apologise?” Alison’s lips curled into a scornful smirk. “I’m too proud for that, Alicia,” she said, pausing for effect before continuing, “And I knew you’d assume as much. Ruin me, you say?” Her smirk widened. “Do you honestly believe I’d stand by and let you destroy my reputation?”


    Alicia’s brow furrowed, surprise flickering across her face. It was as though she no longer recognised the woman standing before her.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    “Alison?” she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Is this really who you are?”


    For a moment, Alicia’s mind reeled. Alison, standing before her with a smug expression, seemed unrecognisable. Alicia had always seen her as stubborn yet fragile, the one who apologised first whenever they quarrelled. Alison had always been the sister who defended her, stood up to her high school bullies, and shared in mischief. They had once been inseparable, bound by secrets and sisterly affection.


    Alicia’s memories flashed vividly—introducing Alison to Wilson with pride, draping an arm around her neck, and playfully kissing her cheek, earning a laugh from Wilson. But now…


    Alicia laughed, though there was no humour in it—only disbelief. “Have you been pretending this whole time, or…”


    Alison’s smirk deepened. “Did you really think no one knew your little secret?” Alison’s voice was soft, almost tender, her head tilting in mockery as if savouring Alicia’s unravelling. “Not even me? Or Mum?”


    Alicia’s fists clenched, her body trembling with fury as her eyes burned with unshed tears.


    “It’s not a secret anymore,” Alison continued, her tone cruelly matter-of-fact. “Alena knows. Mum knows. Everyone knows.” Her gaze dropped to the shattered glass and scattered vase fragments on the floor. She tsked softly, feigning pity.


    Looking back up, she reached out to wipe a tear from Alicia’s cheek as one of her own trickled down. “Poor Alicia,” she murmured with mock sympathy, her lips curling into a sly smile. “What will you do now?”


    Her expression turned colder as she added, “By the way, I have no idea what’s going on between Jeff and your dear sister, Alena. You already know there’s no love between you two. Still, I thought you should know—Jeff and Alena are seeing each other. I saw them last night, walking into a hotel room together. You were still in hospital…”


    “Shut up!” Alicia’s roar filled the room as she lunged forward, grabbing Alison by the neck and shoving her hard against the wall. Her eyes blazed with unrestrained fury.


    “What the hell are you talking about?” she demanded, her voice trembling with rage as she shoved Alison to the floor.


    The cold tiles scraped Alison’s knees, and she gasped in pain before looking up at Alicia with a mocking grin.


    “You poor thing,” she jeered, tossing a handful of photographs onto the floor.


    The photographs fanned out across the floor, each one a frozen moment of betrayal: Jeff’s arm draped around Alena, her head resting against his chest. Alicia’s breath caught as her gaze lingered on the sheets—pristine white, yet stained with treachery.