Chapter 1 Betrayal Before Dawn

Aviah Lynch's POV

Golden Crown Hotel

I lay drunk in the hotel room, a smile on my lips. Tomorrow was my wedding day—the day I would marry August Westerfield, the man I loved.

I opened my bleary eyes, wanting to reach for the water glass by the bed, but found even lifting a finger seemed impossible.

As confusion set in, I noticed a TV mounted on the wall. What played on that television made my eyes widen in shock.

"Scarlett, I finally have you. The truth is, I've loved you since we were children. For fifteen years I've loved you, and you've finally agreed to be mine."

In the footage, August was kneeling before a woman, carefully removing her shoes and then her socks, caressing her feet as if they were precious treasures.

I could hardly believe my eyes.

What truly shocked me wasn't just this betrayal, but who Scarlett Chambers was!

She was the widow of August's older brother, Kevin Westerfield!

And she was also my cousin—my uncle's daughter.

He had fallen in love with his sister-in-law, and had loved her for fifteen years?

Where did that leave me?

Had his feelings for me been fake all these years?

I recalled our past together, once sweet memories now turning painfully bitter.

On screen, Scarlett laughed softly. "If you love me so much, why are you marrying Aviah? It proves you don't really love me."

As she spoke, she switched feet, and August quickly took hold of it, treasuring it.

Scarlett looked up, smiling in my direction. Was she looking at me?

She must be!

Her lips moved slightly, forming what looked like mockery. "How pitiful!"

"Baby, you're the only one I love. Marrying her is just borrowing her womb to have a child. Since you don't want to have children, let that bitch Aviah do it," August said, caressing her leg appreciatively. "Acting in front of her every day for years has been driving me crazy. I feel sick just looking at her. If not for her family's money, I wouldn't spend a second with her. She acts all pure, not letting me touch her, but she's probably nothing but a slut, sleeping around with other men."

I couldn't believe these words came from August. My family was Lakeview's former wealthiest, and as the only daughter, I had handsome, talented men surrounding me. August wasn't my only option.

On screen, Scarlett glanced at me challengingly and asked with a giggle, "So you've been together since childhood, and you've never slept with her?"

"Baby, I swear to God, absolutely never. From beginning to end, I've only loved you. My heart will always be yours."

Scarlett pouted playfully. "Really? But I've seen you laughing so happily with her. How do I know you're not lying? Men's words are so untrustworthy."

August hurriedly assured her, "Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, I'll call off the wedding tomorrow. I'll do anything you want, as long as you're willing."

Scarlett covered her mouth, laughing. "Alright, alright, I know you love me. Forget about canceling the wedding. After all, your family has such a good relationship with the Lynch family. If you publicly call it off, the Lynches won't let the Westerfields off the hook."

"Baby, I knew you cared about me. You know, when you married Kevin, I nearly went insane with jealousy. My family kept pushing me to get closer to Aviah. Do you know how I felt? I was disgusted seeing her every day! Thank goodness Kevin died, so now you can be mine."

Scarlett's expression changed momentarily before returning to a smile. "August, let me tell you, you can marry Aviah, but if you touch her, I won't let you touch me. After your brother died, I swore I wouldn't have children. As for children, figure it out yourself. If you touch Aviah, you'll never touch me again."

"Don't worry, I've already arranged everything. I've drugged her and arranged a man for her. Since she's unconscious, she won't know who it was. I'll just say it was me. If she doesn't get pregnant the first time, we'll arrange more attempts. If all else fails, I'll have her gang-raped!"

Scarlett raised her eyes, her gaze fixed on me with interest.

I felt angry and betrayed. Now I understood—August's feelings for me had always been false. He had been acting for fifteen whole years!

Past suspicious moments now became crystal clear.

Whenever I visited the Westerfield mansion looking for him, he always emerged from Scarlett's room, explaining he was helping care for her on Kevin's behalf.

How foolish I was, thinking he was so responsible.

As I looked back now, how laughable! What a fool I'd been!

The wedding arrangements and tonight's event had all been planned by Scarlett. I recalled the drink she had handed me. No wonder after drinking it, I quickly felt dizzy and feverish!

It was all orchestrated by these two!

As my anger peaked, I heard the door being pushed open. Through my blurred vision, I saw a man stagger in.

His breathing was rapid and irregular, as if suppressing something. He came closer, and I could feel his heat, mixed with sweat and an unfamiliar scent. His fingers touched my shoulder, burning and trembling. I wanted to push him away but couldn't muster the strength, only managing weak murmurs. His breathing grew closer, as if about to devour me.

This man must be the one August arranged to rape me. I felt despair watching this unfold.

The man thrust like a relentless bull, repeatedly crashing into my body, my soul.

On the ceiling screen, my beloved fiancé and his sister-in-law continued.

They made love in front of me while I was being violated by a stranger.

As grief and humiliation tortured me, I heard Scarlett's voice again.

"August, you're 20 now, and I'm 26, six years older than you. I've been married before. Aviah is your age. Are you sure choosing me is something you won't regret?"

August vowed earnestly, "I won't regret it, not even if I die. Even if you were eighty, in my heart, you'd still be better than Aviah! In my eyes, she's worse than a prostitute."

The pain of heartbreak and physical violation left me breathless.

Compared to emotional betrayal, physical humiliation was nothing more than a passing sting.

The man on top of me moved without stopping. My breathing became labored, and finally, my emotions completely collapsed. I lost consciousness.

Before passing out, I vaguely felt a long scar on the man's chest.

A series of urgent knocks at the door jolted me awake from my stupor. My head throbbed, and my body felt as though it had been crushed.

Memories of last night flashed through my mind like broken shards—my fiancé's betrayal, the blurry figure, the urgent breathing, the burning touch. Instinctively, I looked beside me. The sheets were rumpled but empty. A strange scent still lingered in the air, mingled with alcohol and some indefinable sense of oppression.

I realized it hadn't been a dream.

The knocking resumed, urgent and forceful, as if about to break through the door.

"Darling, are you awake? The wedding is about to start. We need to leave now."