CHAPTER 1: MEETING A HANDSOME GERMAN

"Hey, Cecilia, you're back! How was the food?" Veronica asked, eyeing her sister in amusement as Cecilia walked into the hotel room.

"Not nice," Cecilia shook her head, heaving herself onto the couch with a deep sigh.

"Oh, well, you were the one who wanted to taste German dishes," Veronica teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Cecilia replied. "Remind me to stick to American food from now on."

She rolled her eyes, touching her tummy unconsciously.

"How about we go out on the streets?" Veronica smiled. "You know, find a nice bar and just settle down. That would be nice."

"You know what would be nice, Vero?" Cecilia asked, yawning. "If I just lay on the bed, closed my eyes, and slept." She chuckled. "Goodness, I'm really tired."

"Come on, Cee," Veronica prodded. "Don't be a boring sister." She nudged Cecilia playfully. "It will be really nice. Who knows, I might find a nice man there."

"A nice man... yeah, right," Cecilia chuckled sarcastically.

"I'm serious, Cee. You have Terry. Who knows? I might just leave this beautiful country with a handsome man." Veronica shrugged.

"All right," Cecilia nodded, smiling. "But we'll be back early, though."

Veronica quickly dressed up in a lovely gown and combed her hair. Cecilia was still lying on the couch lazily, already dressed.

When Veronica was done, they both went out and boarded a taxi.

"Where to?" the taxi driver asked in a thick accent.

"Any bar in town," Cecilia answered.

"A nice one, though," Veronica said, chuckling slightly.

"We have lots of nice bars. I'll take you to my favorite," the taxi driver assured them, kicking the engine and driving off.

In no time, they arrived at a bar and settled down.

"So, Terry called me and was saying that he misses me," Cecilia said as a waiter poured them some drinks. "Gosh, I miss him more," she added, a bright smile on her face.

"You can have him down here," Veronica teased. "I'm just kidding," she laughed when Cecilia eyed her.

"You know, I can't help but think what being married to him will be like," Cecilia said dreamily.

"You guys thinking about having kids?" Veronica asked, raising her brows.

"Of course we are," Cecilia replied, nodding enthusiastically. "What is love without having kids?"

Veronica didn't reply. She was distracted by someone coming in their direction.

"I think my German man is on his way."

"Hello, ladies." The man waved when he got close to them.

"Hi." Veronica waved back, smiling. Cecilia stared at him.

"Your beautiful friend didn't say hi," the man said. He was talking to Veronica but looking at Cecilia.

"She's my sister," Cecilia answered, her voice icy. "And as you can see," she waved her hands around the table, "we're having a kind of sisterly conversation."

"Cecilia!" Paul chuckled, pulling out a seat and sitting down beside them. "Nice name," he smiled.

"And nice to meet you. I'm Paul." He paused as though trying to let the name sink in. "Paul Klopp," he added, extending his hand to Veronica.

"Who cares?" Cecilia muttered, glaring at his hand.

"I'm Veronica," Veronica smiled, disengaging from the handshake.

"Can I get you guys something to drink?" Paul asked. He turned around and saw a passing waitress. He said something in German, and the waitress nodded and walked away.

"Oh, you're German," Veronica said, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Of course I am," Paul replied, smiling. "I told her that we'll need three bottles of their best wine."

"Oh! Your English is on point, that's why I'm surprised. And the accent—nothing like the Germans I've met," Veronica said, grinning from ear to ear.

"My mother is American, and I schooled there," Paul explained. He looked at Cecilia, who rolled her eyes.

"Oh, seeing that you're here, you seem to prefer Germany," Veronica observed, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

"Hmm, probably." Paul shrugged. "But I'm not here because of a preference. I'm here because I decided to join the German army," he said, pride evident in his voice.

"Oh, a soldier." Cecilia's eyes widened. "That's just great." She clasped her hands sarcastically. "Can you leave us alone now?" Cecilia asked, her tone dismissive.

"Can I get your number?" Paul asked, looking at Cecilia, his lips curling into a smile. "And then I'll leave you guys alone."

"Jesus Christ, no, you can't," Cecilia's tone raised slightly, sounding incredulous.

"I'll give you mine," Veronica chirped hurriedly, turning to look at Cecilia nervously.

"I don't care if you give him yours," Cecilia waved dismissively.

"Ah, is she usually like this?" Paul asked, turning to Veronica.

"To people I don't like? Yes," Cecilia replied, her tone laced with ice.

"Okay, so what can I do to get you to like me, then?" Paul smiled, shrugging. "Gold or silver. I have none, by the way," he teased.

"Leave. That's what you can do," Cecilia said firmly. "And by the way, I'm married." She lied.

"Okay, I'll just leave you, ladies," Paul said, frowning as he stood up.

"When can we see you again?" Veronica asked a bright smile on her face.

"I can't tell," Paul shook his head. "I'm being deployed tomorrow to Poland for some military exercise." He brought out his phone and handed it to Veronica. "You can punch in your number," he said.

He then took hers and wrote his number.

"I can't get yours, I suppose?" Paul asked sarcastically, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Not in this world," Cecilia replied, rolling her eyes.

When he left, Veronica turned to Cecilia.

"Cee, you were too harsh on him," Veronica said, chuckling lightly and raising an eyebrow.

"I was?" Cecilia asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. "That'll be because I don't like him," Cecilia added.

"He was so rude. Come on, look at the way he sat down without being invited or how he ordered wine without asking for our preference."

Before Veronica could reply, the waiter from earlier came to their table with a tray containing three bottles of wine.

Cecilia and Veronica exchanged looks and laughed.

"You're paying for these, Cee. You chased the man away with your attitude," Veronica laughed.

CHAPTER 2: BETRAYAL IN BROAD DAYLIGHT

"Why are you so nervous, Ceci?" Veronica teased, her lips curling into a sly smile as she eyed her step-sister. They stood outside the imposing mansion that belonged to the Stuart family.

Cecilia clutched the Cartier wristwatch and the bottle of wine in her hands, the gift she had planned to surprise Terry with. Her heart raced in anticipation; she hadn't seen him in over a month.

Her holiday in Germany had been an escape, but she had missed him terribly. She wanted this moment to be unique—a prelude to their wedding just a week away.

"I'm not nervous," Cecilia replied, though her voice betrayed her. She rubbed the back of her neck and glanced at the bottle of wine she'd brought, her fingers tightening around the neck of the glass.

Veronica raised an eyebrow, her smile widening as if she could sense Cecilia's unease. "Oh, come on. You've been away for a month, and you're going to see your fiancé. Anyone would be anxious."

She leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Especially if they had something to hide."

Cecilia's eyes narrowed, irritation bubbling up at her step-sister's words. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing at all," Veronica said with a casual shrug, though the mischief in her eyes said otherwise. "Just teasing you, Ceci. Don't get all defensive."

"You're too giddy, Ceci," Veronica teased again. "You'd think you haven't seen Terry in years."

Cecilia's lips twitched, betraying a slight smile. "It feels like years. We've both been so busy. I just want everything to be perfect before the wedding."

Veronica's eyebrow quirked as she folded her arms, the smirk on her face widening. "Perfect? In an arranged marriage? Please. You two are practically strangers who only see each other at formal events."

Cecilia shot her a glance, the teasing making her stomach churn just a bit, but she waved it off. "It's not like that. We've had time together. And besides, Terry and I... we've grown to care for each other."

Veronica snorted, her lips curving into a half-smile. "Care for each other? Sure. Love doesn't grow overnight, sister."

Cecilia took a deep breath, shifting her weight as she turned back toward the house. She could already feel her cheeks warming under Veronica's scrutiny. But she didn't need Veronica's approval.

Terry and she had made the best of the circumstances given to them. The memory of his last phone call flooded her mind: his deep voice and his promise that everything would soon settle down after the wedding. 'This marriage is going to work,' she reminded herself.

"Ready to surprise him?" Veronica's voice cut through her thoughts, playful yet sharp.

Cecilia glanced at the ornate wooden door before them and nodded, her fingers tightening around the bottle. "Ready."

With a final look at Veronica, who now watched her with an unreadable expression, Cecilia raised her hand and knocked on the door. Her heart thumped in her chest as footsteps approached from the other side. 'Please be happy to see me,' she thought.

The door swung open, revealing Terry Stuart standing in the doorway. His hair was slightly disheveled as if he had just woken from a nap, and his brow furrowed the moment his eyes landed on Cecilia.

The surprise was instant but not the kind Cecilia had hoped for. His expression hardened, and his eyes narrowed, flicking from her face to the items in her hands.

"Terry, I—" Cecilia's voice faltered as Terry's jaw clenched. He stepped forward, his eyes blazing with an intensity she hadn't seen before.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was low, almost a growl, causing Cecilia to flinch.

Her mouth opened to explain, but before she could utter a word, Terry's hand shot out in a flash, delivering a harsh slap across her face.

Cecilia stumbled back, the shock hitting her harder than the slap itself. She gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief, hand instinctively flying to her stinging cheek. The bottle slipped from her grasp, shattering on the doorstep.

Behind her, Veronica let out a sharp, shocked gasp, but there was something else in her eyes—satisfaction, perhaps? Cecilia couldn't be sure, her mind spinning too fast.

"Terry!" Mrs. Stuart's voice rang out from inside the house as she and Mr. Stuart rushed into the foyer, their faces pale with confusion and horror. "What the hell is going on here?" his mother asked, her voice trembling.

Terry's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his gaze never leaving Cecilia. His fists clenched at his sides, his breathing heavy and erratic.

The anger radiating off him was almost tangible. "You want to know what's going on?" he spat, his voice rising. "Ask her."

"Terry, I don't understand..." Cecilia's voice cracked, and before she could finish, a tear slipped down her cheek, betraying her as she stood there, paralyzed by confusion and hurt.

Mrs. Stuart's face softened as she glanced between her son and Cecilia. "Terry, why did you—"

"She cheated," Terry cut in, his voice sharp like a blade. "She went off to Germany and cheated on me."

"What?" Mr. Stuart's brows furrowed, and his gaze shifted to Cecilia, disbelief etched on his face. "Is that true?"

Cecilia's lips trembled as she shook her head vigorously, the sting of the slap still fresh on her skin. "No! No, I would never... Terry, I swear, whatever you think, it's not true!"

Without another word, Terry pulled his phone from his pocket, his fingers trembling with rage as he swiped the screen. "Oh, it's true. I've got proof." He thrust the phone forward, and the video began to play.

Cecilia's heart dropped as she recognized the setting—a hotel room in Germany. But it wasn't her memory. The footage showed her sprawled on the bed, a man over her, moving rhythmically.

She laughed and moaned, her words a slurred mess: "Ride me... like a bicycle..."

The man's face wasn't clear in the video, but the sound of his loud, mocking cheer filled the room: "Oh yeah, baby, let's go!"

The footage continued for hours but only a few excruciating minutes. When it finally stopped, Cecilia could hear nothing but the ringing in her ears. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, and her throat tightened, constricting her breath.

The room was silent for a moment,

Mrs. Stuart gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Cecilia, what is this? How could you...?"

"No! No!" Cecilia cried, her voice breaking as she stepped forward, but Terry held up his hand, stopping her in her tracks.

"Get out." His voice was low, cold, and final.

"Terry, please, this isn't what it looks like," she begged, her hands trembling as she reached for him, but he recoiled from her touch.

"Leave," Mr. Stuart's voice joined his son's, sterner and colder than she'd ever heard it. You've disgraced yourself enough."

Cecilia's knees buckled slightly, and she stumbled back, dazed, her entire world crashing around her. She blinked rapidly, her vision still blurred, but through the haze, she saw Veronica standing at the edge of the room. And then it hit her—the smile. The smug, twisted smile played on her step-sister's lips.

Veronica was laughing.

Cecilia's stomach churned, bile rising in her throat as she staggered out of the house, the door slamming shut behind her.

Veronica's laughter echoed in her ears. This couldn't be happening. It can't be real. Terry... Terry couldn't believe I'd do that... could he?

But the look in his eyes—disgust and rage—told her everything she needed to know.

She was alone. And Veronica... Veronica had been waiting for this moment.

Tears streamed down Cecilia's face, and for the first time in her life, she felt utterly powerless. Cecilia turned, her vision clear enough to see the smug grin on her step-sister's face. She leaned against the wall, her arms crossed.

"Didn't see that coming, did you, Ceci?" Veronica said in a mockingly sweet tone, her lips curving upward.

Cecilia's heart twisted painfully as the realization hit her. Veronica. It had to be her. She was behind this—behind everything: the video, the setup, the betrayal.

"You..." Cecilia whispered, her voice barely audible as her body trembled with rage and devastation.

Veronica's grin widened. "Oops."

Without another word, Cecilia turned and fled; the Cartier wristwatch slipped from her hands, clattering onto the ground.

CHAPTER 3: BROKEN TRUST

Cecilia walked back to the car where Veronica was waiting.

"How did it go?" Veronica asked, "You're out so soon." Veronica added as soon as Cecilia got into the car.

"Well, I wasn't invited. Let's leave here," Cecilia said as she sobbed silently.

Veronica turned on the car's ignition as she drove out of the parking lot.

"You want to talk about what happened back there?" Veronica asked, her hands holding steady to the steering wheel.

"Not like this. Let's find some eatery. Then we can talk. I'm more than overwhelmed right now," Cecilia said as she dabbed her face with a napkin, tears flowing seamlessly from her eyes.

"You'll be fine, okay?" Veronica said, patting Cecilia on her back.

"Yeah, thank you," Cecilia said, her hands held to her jaw as she looked out the window.

However, Veronica increased her speed until they reached a particular eatery. She took the next turn as they drove into the eatery's parking space.

"This should be okay, right?" Veronica inquired from Cecilia.

"Yeah, will do."

Veronica found a spot to park the car. As soon as she parked it, Cecilia got down and walked towards the building. Veronica trailed from behind after she turned the car engine off.

"This place is nice," Veronica said, settling into the chair Cecilia had kept for her.

"Yeah, I guess. But what does it matter?"

"I'm just saying it's decent enough."

"Look, that's not why we are here. The thing is, Terry called off our engagement. I don't know how to feel about this."

"That can't be true," Veronica said, dropping her bag on the table.

"I mean, what could have led to that?"

"Honestly, I don't even know. He did hit me once he got into the house. Everyone was surprised till he played some doctored video of me having sex with another man. I mean, why would I do such a thing? I can't even imagine that."

"That's crazy, but before we continue, let's make a quick order," Veronica said, searching her bag for some spare change.

"An order, really? I just told you my fiancé called off our engagement, and all you could think of was to make an order. I can't believe you."

"You need to cool it down; we are here to talk as well as eat. You're stressed out already. So just get something to eat. I know it'll go a long way."

"You're just so unbelievable," Cecilia said with raised hands.

While Cecilia was expressing her frustration, a waiter approached their table to take their order.

"I'll have a bottle of coke with a hamburger. What about you, Ceci?" Veronica said, referring to both the waiter and Cecilia.

"Just get me the same thing," Cecilia said, waving the waiter off.

After he had marked out their order, the waiter walked off to get their orders.

"So, what were you saying? Do you know who could have done this?" Veronica inquired.

"I don't know. Terry won't hear my own side of the story."

"What's your side of the story? Tell me"

"You can't be serious right now. Like really?"

"Look," Veronica said, holding onto Cecilia's hand. " I'm not fighting you here."

"Then how can you ask that? Isn't it obvious that the video must've been doctored? I have always been faithful to Terry. You're my friend, and you know this," Cecilia said, releasing her hand from Veronica.

At that moment, the waiter returned with their orders. The waiter gently placed the tray on the table and gave Veronica and Cecilia their bottles of Coke and hamburgers, respectively.

"You know, the funny thing is that you're not as careful as you should be," Veronica said as she took a bite from her burger.

"What does that even mean?" Cecilia asked, taking a bite from her hamburger, too.

"That video is as real as it gets."

"There is no way it is. I have never been with another man. Don't say that; this is clearly the work of an expert."

"Ha-ha… an expert, you say?" Veronica asked while uncorking her bottle of coke.

"Yes, who could have done so?"

Veronica quickly gulped some of the coke before dropping it on the table. " Well, that expert is me… ha-ha, surprised?" Veronica said as she pointed at herself and laughed.

"What?! You're what?" Cecilia exclaimed, with her mouth wide open.

"I'm the expert; why is it so hard to believe? You gave me the chance to do so."

"How? You're my bosom friend. How could you do this to me? Here you are acting all nice; no wonder you've been making light of this whole issue."

"Ha-ha… don't take it so personally."

"How did you get such a video? I haven't had anything with any man. I'm sure of this."

"Well, you've because I actually made sure you did by drugging you."

"Drugged me? When? How?"

"At the party last week, remember? I gave you a drink, which you took and passed off seconds later."

"You bitch!. I knew it; I felt totally off after the party."

"The same goes for the man that laid with you. I drugged you both and got my video as evidence."

"So, you've been the one behind all this? You're the reason why I got kicked out today?" Cecilia said as she stood to her feet. She paced around a bit before rushing back to her table.

"But what did I ever do to deserve such treatment from you? Why would you go to this extent? I can't even believe you right now. You're my friend; why will you betray me in such a manner?"

"You call it betrayal; I call it taking what's rightfully mine," Veronica said with a smirk.

"How's my fiancé yours?" Cecilia asked as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I have always had an eye on Terry. We had a common past, and I'm not ready to let it slip off. That's what I could do to salvage the situation."

"You went way too low; you decided to hurt me this way? Oh, my goodness!" Cecilia said, her hands clamped over her face.

"Get over it; there is no need to cry over spilled milk."

"Like I said, you're so unbelievable," Cecilia said. She quickly stood to her feet, grabbed her bag, and walked out of the eatery, dabbing her eyes from the tears pouring out.

CHAPTER 4: NO ONE BELIEVES CECILIA

"What is it that you are watching, Grandma?" Veronica asked as she walked in brisk steps into the Anderson's mansion.

Cecilia followed behind her; her head hung low.

She'd argued with Veronica throughout the ride, and her face was already puffy from tears.

"Where are you going, Cecilia?" Tatiana barked, looking up from the phone in her hands.

A video was playing on the phone. The audio sounded familiar.

Cecilia turned slowly to her grandmother. Her eyes darted to her hands.

"Come here.". Tatiana's voice was raised. So also was her hands.

The spectacle she was wearing fell to her nose. She reached out and set it correctly.

"What is this I'm watching?" She pointed the phone to Cecilia.

Cecilia's eyes widened when she saw herself in the video.

"Who sent that to you." She asked acidly. Her face frowned as she looked up at Veronica.

"Is that the right question to ask?" Tatiana glared.

"Maybe you should try to explain to me why you are in bed with another man in this video, " she said.

"Terry sent this by the way." She thundered

"Terry." Cecilia's voice choked.

"Why will Terry do that?" Her voice broke, and hot tears dripped from her eyes.

"Why will Terry do what Cecilia?" Tatiana strolled towards her.

"You've embarrassed this family beyond repair, " she shook her head. She was turning to drop the phone on the nearest voicemail, but the video was still playing.

"He sent it to me saying you he's no longer interested in the marriage."

"What?" Cecilia exclaimed.

"He can't do that. This is all a mistake. I have to explain it to him."

"Yes," Tatiana yelled at Cecilia.

"This is all a mistake. After three years of engagement and only one night of mistakes, it destroys it all.

"Veronica!!" Cecilia turned to Veronica and yelled. Her voice cracking.

"What?" Veronica flushed. She was stepping back a little.

"Why… why are you calling my name?" She stammered.

"She did it, Grandma." Cecilia pointed accusingly at Veronica. Tears poured nonstop from her eyes.

"What?" Tatiana stepped back a little. Her eyes darted from a crying Cecilia to a perplexed Veronica.

"She drugged me in Germany and made me sleep with someone I don't even know." Cecilia stomped her feet angrily on the floor.

"I don't even know that man in the video."

Tatiana was speechless for a while; then, she shook her head.

"This is ridiculous, Cecilia." Her voice was now low.

"Blaming your sister?" She whispered.

"Yes, grandma." Cecilia shook her head, sniffing.

"She told me herself in the car." She snorted. She was fishing a handkerchief from her bag and dabbing at her nose.

"She was even laughing at me when they were embarrassing me at Terry's place." She shook her head sadly.

She was turning to glare at Veronica, who looked less concerned about everything.

Tatiana darted her eyes towards Veronica. "Veronica, is that true?"

She was looking incredulous.

"Grandma, why would you ask me such a thing?" Veronica sounded offended.

"Probably, she's only saying something she could do to me."

"How do you think I will even dream of doing that to my Sister?" She frowned. I was folding her hands.

"Stop calling me that. You devil." Cecilia blurted out. Her voice is evil.

"She told me herself in the car!" Cecilia shouted in frustration.

"Cecilia!" Tatiana's voice was raised, and her face frowned.

"Why will your sister do such a thing?" she asked incredulously, her face coated in unbelievability.

"Isn't it obvious?" Cecilia turned to Veronica. I was eating her acidly.

"she wants Terry to herself."

"Oh my God. Cecilia. Stop this already. Tatiana suddenly walked towards Cecilia.

She stood in front of her, studying her intently.

"Are you sure you are okay, Cecilia?"

"Why will you think I will ever do such a thing to you?" Veronica's voice rang out.

She walked towards the cushion where Tatiana had dropped her phone.

The video was still playing. She stared at it for a while before turning to Tatiana.

"Grandma, I was shocked when Terry slapped her across the face." She watched as Tatiana's face went wild

"He slapped you?" Tatiana asked in shock. She was staring at A, crying at Cecilia's face.

"Look at her face, grandma." Veronica got up from her seat quickly. She got beside Cecilia and reached out to show Tatiana.

"Don't touch me, you Bastard." Cecilia swatted Veronica's hands angrily.

"Cecilia!" Tatiana yelled.

"I said stop with this nonsense right now." She was breathing heavily.

"You will stop blaming your sister this instant."

"Grandma!" Cecilia stomped her feet on the floor.

"Why can't you believe me? Veronica is behind all of this. And she…

"Stop it, Cecilia." Tatiana cut her off mid-sentence.

"Actions have consequences. And this." She pointed at the phone on the couch beside Veronica.

"Sadly, it is yours."

"So, stop blaming your sister for what happened, okay."

"You went to Germany to enjoy yourself." Veronica shrugged nonchalantly.

"You probably enjoyed yourself more than you were supposed to." She chuckled brightly.

"Veronica, shut up and show some respect." Tatiana fired at Veronica

"Your sister was wrong, but…" She paused. I was looking around. Her eyes were sad.

"Grandma, just stop it. Stop it, okay." Cecilia thundered.

"Believe it or not." She stretched her words.

"Veronica drugged me and an unknown man, then made us lie together." She was pointing at Veronica, and her eyes were blazing.

"She did it because she wanted Terry."

"Cecilia!! I don't…." Tatiana was beginning to say when Cecilia turned and walked towards the staircase.

"You don't want to hear it?" She raised her hands.

"Good."

"Come back here, Cecilia," Tatiana growled, but Cecilia kept clumping the steps in quick strides.

"I fucking hate all of you." She shouted when she got to the end of the stairs.

After a while, they heard the loud banging of a door.

"She's not coming out of that room today again," Veronica shook her head dramatically. She turned to stare at her grandmother.

Her grandmother was staring at her, too.

"Cecilia might be everything, but not stupid. What did you do to your sister?" Tatiana asked.