Betrayal’s Bite

The champagne bubbled against my lips, sweet and effervescent, as I gazed up at Edwin's perfect smile. The engagement party was everything I had dreamed of—crystal chandeliers casting warm light across the marble floors, hundreds of guests in their finest attire, and Edwin's strong arm wrapped protectively around my waist.

"To my beautiful fiancée," Edwin announced, his voice carrying across the ballroom as he raised his glass. "Xiya, you've made me the luckiest man alive."

The crowd erupted in applause, and I felt my cheeks flush with happiness. This was it—the fairy tale I'd always imagined. Edwin's dark eyes met mine, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded away.

"I love you," I whispered, standing on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

"And I love you," he murmured back, his lips brushing against my ear in a way that sent shivers down my spine.

Isabella appeared at my side, her emerald dress shimmering as she pulled me into a tight hug. "Oh, Xiya! I'm so happy for you!" Her voice was bright with excitement, her eyes sparkling with what I thought was genuine joy. "You two are absolutely perfect together."

"Thank you for being here," I said, squeezing her hand. "I couldn't imagine this night without my best friend."

She beamed at me, and I remembered why we'd been inseparable since college. Isabella had always been there for me—through late-night study sessions, failed relationships, and now, the most important moment of my life.

As the evening progressed, I found myself swept up in a whirlwind of congratulations and well-wishes. Edwin never left my side, his hand constantly finding mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. Every touch felt electric, every glance filled with promise.

"Remember when we first met?" Edwin asked during a quiet moment between toasts, his voice low and intimate.

How could I forget? It had been at that crowded nightclub downtown, the music pounding so loud I could barely hear myself think. I'd been there with Isabella, trying to forget about a particularly brutal exam week, when this devastatingly handsome stranger had approached our table.

"You were wearing that little black dress," Edwin continued, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand. "And you looked so lost in the crowd."

"I wasn't lost," I protested with a laugh. "I was just... selective about my dance partners."

"Lucky for me you selected me," he said, bringing my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.

The memory warmed me from the inside out. After that night at the club, Edwin had walked me to my car, and we'd discovered a tiny kitten huddled behind a dumpster in the alley. It was mewling pitifully, clearly abandoned and hungry.

"We can't just leave it," I had said, my heart breaking at the sight.

Edwin had looked at me for a long moment, then shrugged off his expensive jacket and wrapped it around the trembling animal. "Come on then," he'd said. "Let's find this little guy