Chapter 1: BetrayalThe Key That Failed

It was the seventh year we spent living separately after the marriage. I came to see Blake Shaw, and once again, my key broke and was stuck in the keyhole.

I quickly called Blake. He said, "You probably got the wrong key again. Stay in a hotel. I'll come back and open the door."

I looked at the sticker on the key and froze. The key was right. He changed the locks.

Before I could think further, my father called, and he laughed heartily. "Of course he's out! He came over first thing in the morning, and he brought gifts!

Then, my best friend's call came in. She was drunk from the sounds of it. "He's drinking with Zack. Your man's growing to be a good drinker."

Then, my brother's call came. "He's a busy guy. Finally found the spare time to help me out with my investments."

My mind was reeling.

They had no idea I just asked the guard if this house's owner was home, and they said he was.

I stopped asking questions. Instead, I called a locksmith. A strange curiosity took hold of me. I wanted to find out what secret my friends and family were keeping from me.

* * *

The door creaked open, and Melinda Hampton, doing flower arrangement in the living room, looked at the entrance. The moment our eyes met, I felt my blood freeze over.

This was the illegitimate daughter that made my mother so furious, it drove her to her death.

My father and brother wanted to tear her apart, and my best friend nearly slashed her face to ribbons. Now, she was here, healthy and doing flower arrangement.

"Is it your dad and the others?" A familiar voice spoke, and my heart sank.

Blake came out of the kitchen. He was wearing an apron, and when our eyes met, he froze. "Helena? What are you doing here?"

I didn't answer. Instead, my eyes rested on a sleeping cat lying in a corner. That was the only thing my mother left me. He told me the cat died of a sickness. No, the one who drove my mother to her grave had kept it.

Blake quickly took his apron off and tried to hold my hand. "Helena, I can explain. She had nowhere else to go, so I took her in."

I looked around. The slippers evidently belonged to two people. There were two toothbrushes too, and even the mugs were matching. Even their clothes were matching.

I had never stepped foot in this place, and they'd turned it into their love nest.

The door rattled.

My father came in with Melinda's favorite brisket, my brother was holding a bouquet of flowers, and my best friend was holding a gigantic plushie. Their smiles were wiped off their faces the moment they saw me.

"Helena…"

Dead silence fell upon the living room. A sad smile curled my lips. "So, you're all covering up for the bastard girl, huh?"

My phone was filled with texts they sent me earlier.

"Come back home tomorrow. I'll make a feast for you, daughter!"

"Girl, I want to go shopping. Come with me? It's the day after tomorrow."

"I'm going to a concert. Come with me, sis!"

I only had five days of annual leave every year, and I did all I could to come home as soon as I could just to see Blake.

Every time I did, my family and best friend would drag me around for outings, trips, and a lot of other events that made me look like I was treasured. I thought they just missed me; they just wanted to give these two some space.

Melinda cried and approached me. "They didn't mean it. They just took pity on me, Helena… Don't get mad at them."

I thought these people were on my side, that they hated her guts as much as I did. No. The one who was locked out of their home had always been me. Tears spilled.

I wiped them off and looked at the flustered Blake. "We're getting a divorce."