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Betrayal by love

Author: Rosey_29
都市
Ongoing · 7K Views
  • 9 Chs
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Synopsis

Damien's life was ruined two decades ago by betrayal: his dearest friend Ethan and sister Serena betrayed him, leaving him impoverished and broken. Damien was consumed by vengeance and spent years rebuilding his kingdom, preparing to strike revenge. His plan is now being carried out: he sends his son Nate to seduce Ethan's daughter Evangeline, with the intention of breaking her heart and destroying her family. But as old secrets resurface, Nate discovers harsh facts about his father's betrayals, compelling him to doubt everything. Meanwhile, a shadow from Damien and Ethan's past, James, reappears with his own desire for vengeance, threatening to destroy both families in the concept of killing two birds with one stone. Betrayal by Love is a compelling story about love, vengeance, and the deadly consequences of justice. Who will ultimately triumph in this battle?

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Chapter 1CHAPTER 1: Unexpected One

"Serena..."

"Serena," Blackwood, Serena's father's voice, was a low rumble outside the cabin door. He tapped his knuckles, a little too hard, on the polished wood. "Serena, it's time. Come on, dear. Everyone is waiting for you."

No response.

He tried again, a sharper rap this time; the sound echoed too loudly in the hall's silence. "Serena? Are you alright?

"It's Dad; please open the door."

Still Silent...

He gripped the doorknob tighter to unlock it, but it remained locked, and panic clawed at his throat, He glanced around the silent deserted hallway. Where had she gone? Did something happen inside? He fidgeted with the edge of his sleeve. He pulled out his phone from his lower pants, his thumb searching for Damien's number. He hesitated, then finally pressed the call button, holding the phone to his ear, the shrill ring cut through the air, his eyes were restless, constantly scanning the surroundings, lines of worry etched around his eyes. "Son," he said, his voice crackling with static. "Serena's room door is locked, and she's not answering."

Damien (Black wood's son) pressed a hand tighter against his ear. "Dad... Dad... I couldn't hear you!" The sound of waves was constant, Static crackled in his earpiece, a harsh buzzing sound against his eardrum.

Blackwood paced in front of the door; his eyes fixed on the signal bar on his phone "Son, Is that I am audible? Can you hear me now?" 

"Dad..." Damien snapped, cutting off the call. "Shit, signal dead." He raced towards the entrance of the deck.

Emiko watched her husband, his back to her, as he spoke intently into his phone. Who was he talking to? Why did he seem tensed? she wondered, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. She quietly followed him.

It was already getting late, they still weren't here Damien thought as his shoes clicked loudly on the wooden stairs. He checked each hallway before moving to the next level. "Honey, wait...." her voice called out from upstairs, facing down Damien "What's wrong? You seem tense."

Damien paused, one foot on the bottom step looking back at her.

Emiko, her hair bouncing, flew down the remaining stairs and into his arms

"It's Dad," he said, his voice strained. "The signal's awful while talking to him. Dad went to get Serena for the wedding, but they're still not back."

Emiko nodded, then glanced at him, "I hope everything is okay" she said as they walked together down the steps.

Damien's footsteps echoed on the fifth floor as he approached his father, who stood like a statue outside the cabin door, still checking his phone.

"Dad, what's wrong? Why are you outside, where is Serena?" he asked, his voice strained.

Blackwood turned; his face was etched with worry. "Serena's not answering. She won't open the door."

"Have you tried calling her phone, Dad?"

"I did," Blackwood replied, his voice worried. "It's ringing inside, but she's not answering."

"Okay Dad, I check once again.".

Damien knocked sharply on the door; the sound echoed in the hallway. "Serena? It's Damien. Open the door!" He pounded on the door, his anxiety rising.

Still no response.

Emiko's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening with sudden fear. "Dami.... What if she's collapsed inside?"

Damien looked at Emiko, sweat beaded on his forehead, and raked his hand through his hair, growing frustrated. His mind raced as he thought, how do we unlock the door? After a brief pause, he added, "We need a spare key." He turned to Emiko. "Quickly, get the spare key from the management office!"

She shook her head up and down fast. "Okay... ok... Where is the management office?"

"On the ground floor," he pressed his words. Fastly

Emiko grabbed the hem of her long pinkish gown and ran towards the stairs, her footsteps echoing in the now-empty hallway.

Emiko burst through the management office door; her breath heavy with gasps as she dashed headlong down the stairs. "Officer, we need the spare key for room 505. Now!"

The officer paused for a moment, glancing at the other officer near him, raising an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. "May I ask the purpose, ma'am?"

Her breath hitched; she tried to steady her voice, and tiny droplets of sweat glistened on her brow, her makeup a little smudged. "The bride... is locked inside, and she's not responding. We need to check on her immediately."

The officer recognized her urgency, and he searched the rack one by one; finally, he found the 505 keys, and instantly the officer handed her the key.

As she ran from the hallway, her breath catching in her throat, she shouted, "Thank you, officer!"

Without wasting a second, she dashed back upstairs to room 505. "I've got it! I've got it!" she exclaimed as she handed it to Damien. Inhale, exhale. She gripped the wall for support, her hands trembling as she did so.

Damien's hands trembled, he loosened his collar button as nervousness ran over his whole body, and finally, he unlocked the door. He grabbed the handle hard and pushed it open; the room was eerily quiet—and empty.

They stepped inside, and the air in the room felt heavy and warm, their eyes darting around the room. Everything was neat and orderly, almost too perfect. Damien's gaze fell on the bathroom door, slightly ajar. His heart pounded in his chest. He moved towards the door, his steps hesitant.

He pushed the door open gently. His eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. He saw the open window… and the rope dangling from it, the window glasses were placed on the floor. Damien lay frozen as ice; his eyes were fully wide, unable to process what he had been seeing. His mind went completely blank, and his body refused to move.

Emiko had just entered the same spot and spotted a rope through the window. A strangled gasp left her lips. Her hands flew to her mouth, and a cold dread washed over her.

A memory flashed through her mind.

Early Morning.

It was nearly 3:45 AM. Emiko felt the weight of the hour and the icy wind whipped around the room, the waves crashed against the rocks, the silence pressing in as she stepped closer to the window where Serena was tying the last piece of her dress to the rope.

"Is the rope ready, Serena?" Emiko whispered, barely making a sound.

Serena's eyes were red, and her face was tear-streaked. Her hands shook in fear, and her lower lip trembled slightly as she couldn't open her mouth, after a few seconds, she replied. "Yes… almost."

Emiko's gaze shifted to the nearby dressing table where a letter lay. She walked over and picked it up, feeling her heart tighten in her chest as she read the letter Serena had written. Her eyes narrowed; she took in the hastily scribbled note.

Emiko nodded, watching the letter. She'd created a smokescreen, she thought. A wave of guilt washed over Emiko.

"Serena, don't screw this up," she whispered looking at her, her voice barely audible. She took Serena's hands in hers, her grip tightening. "After tonight, you're on your own. You have to live with your… family." The word felt like ash in her mouth. Inside, Emiko felt a sharp pang of guilt towards Damien.

Serena looked back at Emiko, her eyes red with vision blurred by tears and a tear-stained face. "I just want to die, but... Emiko," she whispered, her voice breaking like a cracking glass. "But... Emiko... I left no choice; everything I am doing is just... for my baby. I don't want to cheat someone for my fault... because I can't...."

Emiko stepped closer, her tears threatening to spill. She gently wiped Serena's tears away. "I understand, Serena. I do. But... this path you've chosen won't be easy. Just promise me you'll stay safe."

Serena shook her head slowly, the weight of her choices pressing down on her. "Damien will never forgive me," she murmured, her voice trembling. "He was the best brother and mother to me. I can't even think how he can.... accept this"

Emiko reached out and pulled Serena into a tight hug. "You're like a sister to me," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I can manage your brother, but once you leave here, keep your life hidden. Please... Don't let anyone find you. Go somewhere they won't be able to find you."

Serena nodded against her shoulder, whispering, "Um...I won't."

Emiko watched the clock at nearly 3:58 AM, and she realized there were only two minutes left before the shift change.

"Okay... we have only two minutes. Just go..."

Serena wiped her tears, a fleeting, bittersweet smile touching her lips. She walked to the window, glancing back at Emiko one last time.

.

"Don't burn the kitchen. Let Ethan handle the cooking for a while, we will meet one day no matter what" Emiko teased, her voice cracking in a desperate attempt to lighten the mood.

Serena chuckled faintly and shook her head up and down, her smile a fleeting glimpse of the person she used to be. "Goodbye, Emiko."

"Go, Serena. It's time," Emiko said, her voice barely holding together as she watched her friend climb out the window and into the unknown.

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