My Mate Fell For My Sister

My mind buzzed, thoughts grinding to a halt. A hotel room-what did that mean? I wanted to believe he was just dropping her off. Standing at the door, I heard their muffled, heated sounds-moans, the wet press of lips. My last shred of hope vanished.

I didn't barge in. I was already humiliated enough. Stifling a sob, I stumbled out of the hotel, fleeing.

That night, I sat on my couch, staring out the window until dawn. My mind replayed what might've happened in that room, each thought a knife to my heart.

Nathaniel came home the next day, clothes wrinkled, some unknown stain on his shirt, reeking of Lila's perfume. My eyes, red from sleeplessness, met his. "You slept with Lila."

He paused, mid-yank on his tie, then spoke. "I'm sorry. It was a mistake. She drank something spiked, and the effects were intense. I had to help her."

"But you slept with her," I said, voice trembling, rising as I stepped toward him. "Do you even remember you have a mate?"

He rubbed his temple, exhausted, patience thin. "I told you, it was just to help her. A one-time thing. Don't overthink it. I'll still be bound to you-the ceremony's soon. Stop making a scene."

He turned and left, slamming the door, like I was the unreasonable one. I sank to the floor, tears streaming, a broken laugh escaping. How pathetic was I, clinging to hope when he only saw me as a duty?

I don't know how long I sat there before crawling to bed, falling into a dead sleep.

Nathaniel yanked me awake, dragging me to the car despite my struggles. "Nathaniel, what the hell!"

He sped off, voice dripping with venom. "You ask me what? I told you to stop making a scene. Why'd you take those bed photos to threaten Lila?"

I blinked, lost. "I didn't do that."

"Who else would it be? Lila left a resignation letter and went to the hospital rooftop. If anything happens to her, I won't forgive you." His words were sharp, seething with hate.

We reached the hospital, and he hauled me to the rooftop. Lila sat on the edge, the crowd kept below. Just the three of us up there.

Nathaniel's eyes locked on her, voice soft. "Lila, I brought her. She'll swear not to leak the photos. Come down-it's dangerous."

He didn't even let me explain, already convinced I was guilty. My heart felt pierced by a thousand needles. "I said it wasn't me," I snapped coldly.

Lila stood, eyes brimming with calculated pain. "Nathaniel, if those photos get out, I'm ruined. Why even live?"

He panicked, pulling me closer to her, his voice shaking. "Lila, don't do anything rash. I won't let the photos leak."

He soothed her, inching forward until he was two steps away. The moment she relaxed, he let go of me, yanking her into his arms and stumbling back to safety. I, caught off balance, was knocked aside-and fell from the fourth floor.

Time slowed. Nathaniel cradling Lila seared into my vision. Weightlessness hit, and I stared at the blue sky, despair closing my eyes.

The pain was worse than I imagined. I didn't even have time to cry before everything went black.