Chương 2: Promises and Lies.

When Evelina reached the doorway, her breath caught. She leaned closer, her heart pounding so loudly she thought they might hear it. Then, she saw him—Liam, with another woman. His hands gripped the woman's waist, pulling her against him as they moved in sync, their bodies intertwined, their breaths heavy and frantic. His hand slid possessively over the woman's skin, their bare limbs in an intimacy that left Evelina reeling.

The sight shattered her. She stumbled back, a gasp slipping from her lips as tears blurred her vision. Trying to stay silent, she pressed a hand over her mouth, her chest heaving as she fought to keep herself composed. But the betrayal cut so deeply that, despite her efforts, hot tears spilled down her cheeks as she backed away, numb with heartbreak.

Evelina hastily wiped her eyes, forcing back the sob that threatened to escape her throat. She took a steadying breath, placed her hands on the door, and pushed it open.

Liam jolted upright instantly, his hand releasing its grip on the woman beside him. He turned, and when his gaze met Evelina's, his face drained of color. "Evelina…" he breathed, his voice hoarse and panicked, blue eyes wide with fear.

Evelina's gaze shifted to the woman tangled in the sheets, and her heart plummeted. "Maya?"

Maya shot upright, her face ashen as she stared at Evelina, horror widening her eyes. "Eve—" she began, faltering as she realized they were alone. She quickly scrambled for words. "Evelina, I swear, it's not what you think!"

She raised her hands defensively, trying to get out of Liam's bed, wincing as she moved, pain flashing across her face. Evelina said nothing, her expression a mask of cold fury and betrayal as her body trembled. Without another word, she turned and headed for the door.

Maya cursed under her breath, panic flooding her. I can't let her tell Father and Mother.

She rushed after Evelina, pulling on a robe as she hurried into the hall. "No, Eve! Please, wait!" She grabbed Evelina's arm, desperately trying to hold her back, but Evelina wrenched her arm free and kept walking as if nothing had happened.

Maya clung to her arm again, a frantic plea in her voice. "Please, Eve, let's talk this over."

Evelina stopped, finally turning to look at her half-sister. Her eyes were dark with anger, and she yanked her arm away sharply. "Talk? About what, exactly? The fact that you're sleeping with my fiancé?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but the venom in her tone cut through the air like a knife.

Maya flinched, her face reddening, stunned by Evelina's outburst. Evelina had never shown this kind of anger before. "No... it's not like that... we weren't—"

"Don't insult me with lies, Maya. I saw everything." Evelina's voice cracked, her eyes brimming with tears. "I heard your moans. I saw the way he touched you—like you were the only one in the world." Her voice shook with betrayal, and Maya looked down, unable to meet her gaze.

"It was… a mistake," Maya mumbled, trying to keep her composure. Her hands trembled as she clutched Evelina's arm. "Please, Eve… I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I was just… lost. I didn't know who else to turn to," she said, her voice soft but laced with urgency. She needed Evelina to understand—not for her own guilt, but for her own sake.

Evelina's face remained cold, her eyes unwavering as she pulled her arm away. Maya's breath hitched, and she quickly stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Look, I know this is unforgivable, but please… don't ruin everything. Don't tell Father and Mother, please. You know what would happen if they..."

But she never finished. Evelina's hand struck her cheek with a sharp slap, cutting her off.

Evelina's mouth twisted bitterly. "So that's what matters to you?"

Maya's expression was one of barely concealed panic as she tried to avoid meeting Evelina's gaze. She wasn't apologizing because she truly regretted what she'd done. She was apologizing because she needed Evelina to keep her mouth shut.

Evelina stared at her, her lips curling into a bitter smile. "So, that's all this is about? You want me to keep your secret, so you don't lose your position, your life, your precious place in father's heart?" Her voice was cold, the contempt evident. "You've lied, betrayed me, and now you're asking me to lie for you too?"

Maya hands clasped Evelina's, her eyes pleading now. "Please, I'll do whatever you want. Just… just keep this between us..." Evelina ripped her arm free, making Maya stumble backward. Before Maya could fall, Liam stepped forward, catching her in his arms. Evelina's heart shattered at the sight.

Liam's gaze hardened as he turned to Evelina. "Why would you push her away like that? She's asking for forgiveness!" he demanded, his voice cold and accusing.

Evelina glared at them both, her voice trembling with fury. "Are you seriously defending her right now?"

Maya, sensing she was losing control of the situation, slipped from Liam's grasp and fell to her knees before Evelina. "Evelina, please—I swear, I won't see Liam again. I admit it… we've been together behind your back, and I'm so, so sorry. I know you may never forgive me, but please, believe me—I'll end things with him."

Liam and Evelina both stood there, momentarily stunned.

"Maya, what are you saying?" Liam murmured, frowning.

Ignoring him, Maya held Evelina's hand tightly, her face filled with desperation. "Please, Evelina… I'm begging you. Liam is yours. He's your fiancé. I'll leave him ." Her voice faltered as she squeezed Evelina's hand.

" But please, don't make things worse than they already are. You have to understand… If this gets out, we both lose everything."

Evelina stared down at Maya's hands, her mind racing with memories of everything she and Liam had shared. All of it now felt like a lie, tainted by betrayal. Her voice was barely a whisper as she replied, "Since when? How long have you been doing this behind my back?"

Maya's silence spoke volumes, and Evelina's heart twisted painfully. After a moment, she pulled her hand away from Maya's grasp, her voice cold. "You should have thought about all this before you both betrayed me."

A lump formed in Evelina's throat as she pursed her lips and clenched her fists tightly. Stay calm, she told herself. Maybe... maybe I can give her a second chance. As for Liam… it's clear he doesn't feel the same anymore. I should end this engagement, shouldn't I? But despite everything, a part of her still clung to him, unable to fully let go.

Her gaze moved between Maya and Liam. "You promise you won't see him again?" Her voice was barely a whisper. She'd intended to confront Liam, to end the engagement right there, but the words refused to come. Despite it all, she still loved him, and the thought of truly letting go was unbearable.

"I promise, Evelina. I won't see him again," Maya said earnestly, nodding. Evelina wanted to believe her, if only to keep her heart from shattering further.

Liam's expression hardened, but he remained silent.

Evelina took a steadying breath, her voice low. "And if I find out you're still seeing each other?" She gently pulled her hand from Maya's grasp, her gaze cold and resolute.

Maya's eyes flickered, but she swallowed and nodded. "Then… do whatever you need to, Evelina. I won't stop you."

Evelina leaned in close to Maya, her voice barely a whisper. "You took him from me. Just remember, I can take everything from you too."

Evelina straightened up and stepped back, her face hardening as she looks between them. "Keep your promise, and I will never tell father," she said, her voice icy. "And if I catch you two together again, you'll both regret it." Without waiting for a response, she turns and walks out, her heels clicking down the hall, leaving Maya and Liam in stunned silence, her calmness more unnerving than anger.

She stepped outside, closing the door softly behind her. The quiet click of the latch echoed through the empty hall as she walked away, head held high, willing herself not to look back.

Inside, silence hung thick until Maya let out a slow, satisfied exhale, her lips curling into a smirk.

"Too easy," she murmured, her face shifting from desperation to a cold, calculating smile. She stretched her arms, her previous act of remorse vanishing without a trace.

Liam, who had been watching the door, arched a brow, a dark gleam in his eyes. "What was all that nonsense about leaving me for her sake?"

Maya's smirk deepened as she slid back into his arms, pressing close. "Oh, please. Evelina's too soft-hearted for her own good. As long as she thinks I'm willing to sacrifice everything for her forgiveness, she'll keep her mouth shut."

She let her fingers trail over his collar, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It's almost pathetic, really. She believes in loyalty even when we're tearing her apart."

' Ah she's right. Evelina is indeed pathetic and weak.' Liam thought as he stared at Maya as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

" We wouldn't want her thinking for herself now, would we?" Maya continued as she leaned close, his voice barely a murmur. "Let her stew in her heartbreak. By the time she realizes she is done for, she'll be in too deep to retaliate."

Maya chuckled, her gaze distant, as though already imagining the fallout. "Once father gives me the CEO position as well as the inheritance, She'll have nothing. No support, no reputation—she'll be finished." Her eyes gleamed with malice as she added, "And by then, we'll have everything we need."

Liam tightened his grip on her. "Then let's make sure she stays just where we want her."