Kelsey's POV
As such, I had another drink.
But my alcohol tolerance was terrible. Just two small glasses and my head was already spinning.
I tried to push his hand away, but instead, he grabbed the back of my neck and forced another drink down my throat.
The next thing I knew, I had collapsed face-down on the table. I wanted to call out to Belinda to ask her to take me home, but when I looked over, her seat was empty.
She was gone.
That was when it hit me. I’d been set up.
But it was already too late.
I was taken to a hotel room, and everything after that became a blur. When I woke up the next morning, Mr. Nicholson was gone.
I immediately checked my body, and there didn’t seem to be anything off. No visible harm. Still, I felt hollow.
When I got home, the first thing I saw was Francis staring at me like I was filth.
“So what, was that your plan all along? Follow me to the hotel just to seduce my client? Kelsey, I didn’t know you were that desperate.”
Before I could speak, Belinda stepped out from behind him, arms crossed, fake pity dripping from her voice.
“Kelsey, I mean, seriously? The wedding’s in less than two weeks, and you pull this? How could you cheat on Francis like that?”
Ignoring her, I faced Francis and said, “Francis, you were the one who called and told me to go to the hotel. I showed up, but only to realize it was all a trap. You and Belinda planned this together! I’m calling the police!”
“I told you to drive over and pick us up, not to cozy up with Mr. Nicholson. Don’t twist my words,” he defended, frowning tightly.
The hangover must have kicked in. That was why he couldn't remember what really happened.
Belinda, on the other hand, scowled the second I mentioned calling the police.
“Police? Really, Kelsey? You chose to drink last night. I even tried to take you home, but you wouldn’t leave. You were all over Mr. Nicholson. Don’t turn around and blame us for your choices.”
I was speechless.
That bastard Mr. Nicholson had already wiped the hotel security footage before he disappeared this morning, cleaning all the evidence.
Now, it was just my word against hers.
Just then, Francis pulled out his phone and showed me a photo of me, smiling faintly while drinking, curled up beside Mr. Nicholson’s arm.
And that one picture was all he needed to believe everything Belinda said.
The disgust in his eyes was undeniable as he hissed, “You make me sick, Kelsey. Of all people, you had to go for my client?”
Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head.
That was when it all clicked.
Belinda planned every bit of this.
She worked with Mr. Nicholson to trap me, humiliate me, and ruin me in front of the man I once loved.
“Believe whatever you want. But I didn’t sleep with him. This was all her doing!” I shouted, pointing at Belinda.
But Francis waved his hand and snapped, “Enough! You’ve never liked Belinda, and now you’re trying to frame her for everything. You seriously need help.”
“Frame her? Look at this!” I held out my phone, my voice cracking. “My private photos, she leaked them. They’re everywhere now. She sent them to our group chats and even sold them online!”
I was shaking from anger, overwhelmed by the injustice, as tears poured down.
“It’s just a few photos,” Francis scoffed. “What’s the big deal? You’re not dead. And I doubt Belinda did it on purpose.”
“Exactly,” Belinda chimed in, stepping into his arms with her eyes glistening.
“I was trying to take a selfie, I didn’t realize it would send to the whole group. I didn’t mean for it to happen,” she whimpered and leaned into him like she was the victim.
“You accidentally sent high-res photos for a buck each? How long are you going to keep pretending?” I shot back, livid.
“That’s enough!” Francis shouted again. “I'm letting this whole hotel thing slide. It’s not like you can even get pregnant anyway. As for the photos, Belinda didn’t mean to do it. You’re her big sister. You should be more understanding. She’s a well-bred, upper-class girl, like hell she’d sell those pics for a buck. It’s obviously just a misunderstanding.”
I stood there stunned, barely able to breathe. I couldn't believe those words came from the man I once thought would protect me.
I let out a bitter laugh.
So this was it. All the love I’d held onto for years was nothing more than a cruel joke.
The sunlight from the window was blinding, but I stared at him anyway, numb and empty.
“Francis, let's just forget the wedding,” I firmly said. “I’m no longer interested in marrying you.”
For a moment, he just stared at me with a hint of panic.
Then he scoffed, “Don’t use a breakup as a bargaining chip, Kelsey. No one else is going to marry you. You’re a freak who can’t even have kids. I’m the only one who ever would’ve taken you.”
