After My Fiancé's Betrayal, His Brother Offered Revenge

I traced my finger over the credit card statement, the digits blurring through my tears. There it was—a charge for Tiffany & Co., dated just three days ago. Eighteen thousand dollars for a diamond necklace I'd never seen, would never wear. My stomach twisted into knots as I scrolled through the joint account Marcus and I had established for wedding expenses.

"It's probably a surprise wedding gift," I whispered to myself, the lie bitter on my tongue even as I spoke it.

But the receipt was delivered to Sophia's apartment, not our home.

I set my phone down on the vanity, catching my reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked beautiful—professional stylists had spent hours on my makeup and hair for what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. My wedding dress hung on the door behind me, an ethereal cloud of white lace and promises.

Promises Marcus had apparently never intended to keep.

"Elena? The makeup artist needs to do a final touch-up before the ceremony." My mother's voice called through the door.

"Just a minute," I managed, quickly wiping away a tear before it could ruin my mascara.

I forced a smile, tucked my phone into my clutch, and opened the door. Today was my wedding day. I would get answers before I walked down that aisle.

---

The hotel corridor felt endless as I made my way toward the suite where Marcus was getting ready with his groomsmen. Laughter echoed from behind the door—loud, masculine, punctuated with the clink of glasses. My hand hovered over the handle, hesitating.

"To Marcus!" a voice cheered. "The man who always gets exactly what he wants!"

More laughter. I leaned closer to the door.

"And manages to keep what he doesn't want at arm's length," another voice added.

"Come on, guys." That was Marcus's voice, warm with amusement. "Elena's not that bad. She's safe. Dependable."

My heart stuttered in my chest.

"But she's not Sophia," someone said, their voice lowered conspiratorially.

"No," Marcus agreed, his tone shifting to something darker, more intimate. "She's not Sophia. But my parents adore Elena, and the board thinks she's the perfect wife for the future CEO. She's my safe second choice."

I pressed my hand against my mouth to stifle a gasp.

"Meanwhile," he continued, "I keep my real passion... elsewhere."

Raucous laughter followed, and I stumbled back from the door, my vision blurring. The diamond ring on my finger suddenly felt like a shackle, heavy and cold against my skin.

A hotel staff member passing by gave me a concerned look. "Miss? Are you alright?"

I straightened my shoulders and blinked back tears. "Yes. Just wedding day jitters."

The lie came easily, but inside, something had hardened. I wasn't going to be anyone's second choice—not even for a man I'd spent three years loving. Not even for the fairy-tale wedding waiting downstairs. I needed proof, and I knew exactly where to find it.

---

Three hours before