After My Fiance Cheated With My Best Friend

Carmen Pierce left the hotel without a backward glance. Jayden Montgomery watched her disappearing figure, then looked at the hundred-dollar bills scattered on the bed, a complex expression flashing across his face. Despite the hardships her family was facing, she had rejected his five-million-dollar offer without hesitation.

Was her interest in him merely a tactic to sway a major player like Vanguard Inc.? She seemed different from the girl he used to know.

By the time Carmen made it out of the hotel, her legs still trembling, it was already 1:00 AM. Gazing at the empty street, her emotions broke free, and she crouched down, sobbing softly.

What she'd thought was a transaction of intimacy had turned into nothing but degradation. Under the dim streetlight, her shadow stretched out, long and alone.

"Young lady, why are you sitting here crying all by yourself? Did something happen?" asked an older woman, a street cleaner, as she approached, unable to ignore Carmen's distress.

Through tear-filled eyes, Carmen looked up at the woman, her voice thick with emotion, "My father was wrongfully imprisoned, and now my sister and I are barely holding on. Everyone just wants us to fail. I feel like I'm about to break."

For the past year, Carmen had kept up a brave front for the world, but she was suffocating under the pressure. Confiding in a stranger might be the only way she could truly express her despair.

The woman offered comforting words, "Life is full of challenges, dear. No one's life is perfect, but every hardship is a chance to grow and move forward. Stay strong. It will get better."

Since the troubles began, those around Carmen either mocked or abandoned her. She never expected a stranger to offer the encouragement she so desperately needed. Maybe, she thought, kindness still existed in the world.

Wiping her tears, Carmen nodded firmly, "Thank you, ma'am. I will get through this."

Indeed, every challenge was a stepping stone. If her first attempt to win over Jayden had failed, she'd find other ways to succeed. If all else failed, she'd win him over in other ways. She could tell he was intrigued by her.

By the time Carmen hurried back to her rented apartment, it was already 2:00 AM. She opened the door to find her sister, Fiona, sitting on the couch. Fiona wore a thin camisole, her typically lively face looking pale, and her eyes were red and puffy, as if she'd been crying.

Carmen hesitated briefly before approaching her sister, asking softly, "Fiona, what brings you here?"

"Who was that guy?" Fiona asked, her voice gentle yet firm. Despite their current situation, she always remained composed, never raising her voice with Carmen.

But as Carmen met her sister's disappointed gaze, she felt a pang of guilt, like her heart was being crushed.

"Jayden Montgomery," Carmen admitted, not intending to hide anything.

Fiona's expression grew more serious, "Carmen, do you know what kind of man Jayden Montgomery is? Getting involved with him could bring you unforeseen trouble."

Carmen replied calmly, "Fiona, I found out that the person who framed Dad has connections with Montgomery Enterprises. I need to get close to Jayden to uncover the truth for Dad."

Fiona interrupted, her eyes brimming with tears, "But Carmen, I don't want you to sacrifice your happiness. You deserve to find a man who truly loves you, to lead a peaceful life. That's my wish and Dad's wish too, you understand?"

"True love?" Carmen scoffed, as if it were a joke, "What is love worth? How many unfaithful lovers have there been throughout history? Just like you and Ben Castleton..."

The room went silent for a moment. Fiona trembled slightly, recalling how she once thought marrying Ben would be her lifelong happiness, only to be left disgraced.

How could she judge Carmen when she had no right to?

"I'm sorry, Fiona..." Carmen regretted her words, realizing she had hit her sister's sore spot.

"Carmen, you're right," Fiona said softly, "But because of my own unhappy marriage, I don't want you to go down the same path. Jayden Montgomery is not someone you should get involved with. Promise me, don't continue this relationship."

Carmen dodged the subject, "Fiona, I'm tired. I need a bath."

With those words, she turned and left, unwilling to burden her sister any further. She had chosen this path, and she would see it through, no matter how tough it got.

Suddenly, her phone, resting on the coffee table, buzzed with an incoming message.

"Carmen, please, listen to me..." Fiona called out, picking up the phone. As she did, an automatic video began to play.

It showed her husband, Ben Castleton, involved with another woman.