Betrayal Leads to Redemption

Having been in a relationship with Kameron Campbell for five years, it was the first time Meadow Lewis had seen him lose control in bed. He pressed her down firmly, his fingers entwined in her hair, and his eyes burned with intense desire. In a moment of passion, he couldn’t help but murmur softly, “Zara…”

Meadow froze beneath him. The soft glow from the lamp highlighted the tattoo on his chest, the letters "ZRF" standing out starkly. Zara Ford was his new secretary and the woman he'd been secretly seeing.

Kameron seemed disgruntled by her sudden stillness. Noticing her gaze had shifted downward, he casually provided an explanation. “Zara had a depressive episode yesterday and hurt herself. She begged me to get her name tattooed.”

“I’ve agreed to marry her in a week. We'll break up, and once she’s better, I’ll make it up to you, alright?” He paused, leaning down to kiss her eyelids. “Don’t overthink it. It’s a matter of life and death.”

The gentle comfort Meadow usually cherished now pierced her ears like needles. Pain flickered in her eyes, and she numbly nodded. “Alright.”

Everyone in their circle knew Meadow loved Kameron dearly. Since she was eighteen, she had been by his side, working tirelessly for his business during the day and sharing his bed at night.

She had drunk until she suffered a stomach ulcer to help him avoid drinking; she had worked non-stop for resources, nearly collapsing from exhaustion; and she endured slanderous rumors online for a month just to protect the company’s reputation. She stood by him from his unknown startup to becoming a global business powerhouse.

But all her devoted efforts culminated in his wedding to another woman. With this thought, a bitter smile crept onto Meadow’s lips.

Six months ago, Zara had become Kameron’s secretary and was immediately smitten with him, pursuing him relentlessly. Her first attempt—an insinuating gift—was discarded by Kameron. The second attempt—spiking his drink—was met with shattered glass. The third—an office declaration of love—resulted in her being tossed out.

Meadow was convinced Kameron would never fall for such underhanded tactics or betray her. But then—

On their anniversary, Kameron received a call and, for the first time, left her abruptly. “Zara doesn't know many people here. She’s having a crisis and wants to jump. I need to stop her!”

On Meadow’s birthday, Kameron didn’t come home and called the next afternoon, saying, “Meadow, Zara took sleeping pills and tried to overdose. I took her to the hospital. I’ll make it up to you with a gift later.”

Only later did Meadow discover that Kameron had flown across the Atlantic that day to bid on a necklace worth millions for Zara, while her birthday gift was merely the silver-plated version.

Too many similar incidents occurred, and his excuses grew more perfunctory. Last night, he disappeared without a word.

After the passion faded, Kameron wrapped his arms around Meadow from behind, as he always did. “Meadow, just wait seven more days, and I’ll marry you.”

With those words, the bitterness in Meadow’s heart intensified. No, that day would never come.

She turned over, quietly withdrawing from his embrace. “It’s late. Let’s sleep.”

When Kameron fell into a deep sleep, Meadow got up, walked to the balcony, and made a call. The dappled shadows of the trees fell across her face, her eyes unusually determined.

“Mom, I’ve made up my mind. I agree to the arranged marriage back home.”

The following day, as Meadow Lewis entered the office, she immediately caught snippets of her colleagues' hushed conversations.

"Did you check Instagram? Kameron and Zara just announced they're engaged!"

"I almost thought he tagged the wrong person. Wasn't Meadow his girlfriend? When did that change?"

"She’s so self-reliant; maybe Kameron never felt needed. Maybe he lost interest ages ago."

"True, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If Zara batted her eyelashes, Kameron would probably hand over his heart on a silver platter!"

"Poor Meadow, after all those years of building something together, and now she's just discarded."

Even outsiders had a clearer view than Kameron, who scarcely considered Meadow's feelings.

As Meadow was lost in thought, someone jostled her. It was Zara Ford, dressed in a sleek, modern Victorian-style outfit, with a sickly sweet smile plastered on her face.

"Meadow, I'm marrying Kameron at the end of this month. Here’s the invitation."

"Thanks for taking care of him all these years. You absolutely have to come to see our happiness!"

Meadow glanced down at the invitation, staring at it for a long moment before accepting it with a tight voice, "Well, congratulations to you both."

The embossed names on the invitation card seemed to pierce her eyes.

Sensing this, Zara arched an eyebrow and leaned in, speaking softly so only Meadow could hear.

"Kameron is mine now. It’s time for you to give up."

"He’s just been using you to hone his skills so he could be better at pleasing me once we’re married."

"You didn’t really think he’d choose you, did you?"

Zara's smug smile oozed superiority, leaving little doubt that any hint of vulnerability was just a ploy.

Meadow's grip tightened on her coffee cup, her face gradually losing color.

"Don’t worry, I’m not interested in him anymore."

With that, she turned to walk away, but Zara, a malicious glint in her eyes, yanked the cup from Meadow’s hand and spilled it all over herself, leaving Meadow in stunned disbelief.

The scalding liquid soaked Zara’s white blouse, making it semi-transparent.

"Ouch, it's burning!"

Zara bit her lip, hastily covering herself.

At the commotion, Kameron hurried over, quickly wrapping his jacket around Zara before fixing Meadow with a cold glare.

"What’s going on?"

Stunned, Meadow tried to explain, "She did it herself..."

"Meadow!" Zara interrupted, tears welling in her eyes, "I came to give you a wedding invitation, and even if you’re upset, you shouldn’t humiliate me in front of everyone!"

"As a fellow woman, how could you compromise my dignity..."

Kameron’s face hardened as he scolded, "Meadow, this company isn’t your personal playground!"

"What gives you the right to bully newcomers just because you’ve been here longer? The company doesn’t need someone so overbearing. Pack your things and leave!"

Accusing gazes pierced her as though she were guilty. Yesterday’s warmth felt like a distant memory. Her fingers dug into her palm before she managed a single word, "Fine."

Kameron was keen to get Zara’s burns assessed, and Zara feigned reluctance, "Why not let Meadow take me? She can help with the ointment."

Kameron agreed, "Alright, consider it your apology to her."

In silence, Meadow and Zara entered the elevator. Once alone, Zara dropped the act, "See? Kameron has always cared about me!"

"You’re just an ugly duckling without support or a job, only good enough to be my errand girl!"

Seeing Meadow’s silent demeanor, Zara, displeased, shoved her, "Cat got your tongue?"

Suddenly, the elevator rattled ominously. It began to shake violently!

Gripped by claustrophobia, Meadow’s mind went blank. She forced herself to reach for the emergency button but was pushed aside by Zara.

"Move over, let me handle it!"

"Hello, I'm trapped in the elevator. Yes, just me alone..."

Time dragged until Kameron arrived with the rescue team to pry open the elevator doors. They stood on a platform several feet above, like saviors.

Startled to see two people trapped, one of the rescuers muttered, "Strange, why are there two?"

"Mr. Campbell, our equipment is limited. We can only rescue one person at a time. Who should we save first?"

Before the question was fully asked, Kameron interrupted urgently.

"Zara!"

Clenching his teeth, he answered without hesitation, "Get Zara out first!"