Chapter 2 Betrayal Has a Price
Lenora stared into Zavier’s face, her gaze sharp and unsettling.
“Family? Honestly, he feels more like family to them than I ever did,” she thought.
She had lived in an orphanage–carefree and with enough food and clothes. Then, at five, Larry took her away.
Back then, she naively thought his family would treat her like one of their
own.
But the reality was cruel. Melany was born with a severe genetic disorder; constant blood transfusions were the only way to keep her alive.
That was why they took Lenora in. Month after month, she had to give blood to Melany. She was also expected to care for Melany.
If Melany fell and got hurt, Lenora was beaten.
If she refused to do her homework, Lenora was beaten.
And if she threw a tantrum and wouldn’t eat, Lenora was beaten.
The bruises never faded. Lenora couldn’t remember a day without them.
Zavier came into her life in middle school. He had lost his parents and struggled under his relatives‘ roof. They saw each other’s pain, grew closer, and stood by each other through thick and thin.
Since fifteen, they had held on tight, afraid even the smallest lapse might
tear them apart. But now, as Lenora looked at him, he felt like a stranger.
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Zavier had seen everything she went through in the Brandt’s house. How could he say he was only working with them for her sake?
Lenora didn’t push back. “I know. You’re doing what’s best for me.”
She knew he still cared about her. But part of his heart belonged to Melany, and she couldn’t accept that. She hated it.
Her words eased him. “Thank god. She doesn’t suspect anything,” he thought.
If she had refused, he would’ve ended the deal right away. But she sounded like she was going along with it.
Starting a business from nothing was tough. Zavier believed the Brandt family’s backing would be a great help.
“This event is boring. Go wait in the car. I’ll take you home soon.” He gave Lenora’s shoulder a squeeze and walked her to the gate.
He knew how much she hated these occasions. No matter how many important people were here, he would always put her first.
The second she was gone, he turned and headed straight for Melany.
She spotted him instantly, a sweet smile tugging at her lips.
“He was broke when he was with Lenora back in school. Who would have thought he’d be this successful now? If I’d known, I never would have let her get to him first,” Melany thought.
He stopped in front of her, his voice cold as he murmured a warning. “Don’t pull that stunt again. If you do, you’ll regret it.”
Melany froze. Whatever warmth they had shared minutes ago was gone. Just like that, he was back to his usual cold self.
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But she shook it off fast. “Lenora barely noticed. She never pays attention. What’s there to worry about?” she replied, unfazed.
With a coy grin, she leaned in closer and started twisting his tie between her fingers.
“I got a new lace thong, with pearls. You wanna see me in it tonight?”
She held his gaze, all temptation. Zavier hesitated for a second, then smirked and gave her a playful spanking. “Wasn’t what happened in the dressing room enough for you?” he teased. “Not happening tonight. I’m going home to Nora.”
With that, Zavier left.
In bed, he was rough and relentless. In public, he was cold and distant.
The gleam in Melany’s eyes faded instantly.
She had been seeing him in secret for six months. She had tried everything to make him stay the night, but his excuse was always the same: he had to go home to Lenora.
Melany didn’t understand. Lenora was adopted, with nothing to her name. What was it about her that kept Zavier so loyal?
“Sure, ten years together means something. But he cheats, doesn’t he? Looks like their love isn’t so unbreakable after all,” Melany murmured to herself.
When Zavier got into the car, Melany’s sweet perfume smelt even stronger on him. Leñora opened the window, but it refused to fade.
Even after he showered, traces of Melany still lingered.
They turned off the light and lay in bed. But Lenora couldn’t shake the
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feeling that Melany was right there between them.
She turned, and Zavier wrapped his arms around her from behind. His body was hot, his breath quick against her ear.
“Babe, I want you…” he whispered in a husky voice.
But it didn’t set her on fire like before. All she could think about was how he had just been with Melany hours ago. How did he still have the energy for this?
‘I’m not feeling well,” Lenora replied, pulling the blanket over her head.
Zavier was patient as always. He swallowed his frustration and let go
her.
“Alright, close your eyes. I’ll help you sleep.”
of
He started patting her back, slow and steady, like soothing a kid to sleep. But he drifted off first.
While his steady breathing filled the room, Lenora stayed wide awake. She sat up, studying his face in the moonlight.
They had been together for ten years. Why did he feel like a stranger
now?
Silent, barefoot, she slipped out of bed, opened the drawer, and pulled out the heavy photo album packed with memories.
She carried it onto the balcony, watching the fire flicker in the night air.
One by one, she tossed the photos in–first the ones from when they were teenagers, then the grown–up versions of themselves as a married couple.
Zavier had once promised that when the album was full, he would have a
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surprise for her.
Now, with just one photo left, she burned it all to ash.
She was leaving and wouldn’t leave a single trace behind.
Six months ago, Lenora got a call from overseas. The person on the other end claimed to be her family, and a DNA test confirmed it.
Her first thought was to tell Zavier. But that night, she saw him having dinner with Melany–her leg sliding against his under the table.
Lenora hesitated. In the end, she kept the news to herself. He had no idea her real family’s wealth could fund ten Velez Groups without breaking a
sweat.
Betrayal had a price, and he would learn that soon enough.
