Surprise Twins for the Hockey Prince

Eliana POV:

"Slow down, Erica. Don't be in such a hurry."

In the VIP lounge bathroom stall, I heard my fiancé Asher Reynolds's voice, husky with a laugh.

Erica—my best friend.

I felt nailed to the spot, my body trembling. I pressed my ear closer to the door, praying I was hearing things.

Erica's flirtatious laugh came through clearly. "What's the rush? That fool Eliana is probably out there playing the perfect hostess. She wouldn't dream we're in here."

My heart stopped for a second. The vibration of the door muffled my ragged breathing.

Asher chuckled between breaths, his tone dripping with mockery. "She really is a fool. The Sloans are bankrupt, and she still thinks she's some high and mighty princess."

The word "bankrupt" was a physical blow. The image of my mother collapsing at my father's funeral flashed before my eyes.

Erica's voice, laced with venomous pleasure, cut through my haze. "Speaking of which, did you like last night's arrangement? Wasn't that guy something? The way she was hiding her neck today, he must have really worn her out."

My mind went blank.

I subconsciously touched the side of my neck. Under the skin, a faint, tender mark from last night throbbed, a secret heat spreading to my cheeks.

It was all Erica's doing. She had promised me a bachelorette surprise I'd never forget, and this was it...

Fragmented memories from last night flooded in—a strange room, a man whose face I couldn't see, a body that wasn't my own to control... It was all a setup.

I bit down hard on my lip, choking back a sob. Humiliation burned in my throat.

Asher's voice came again, unconcerned, almost bored. "Seriously, are you sure her father's death was handled cleanly? It never felt like a simple suicide to me."

The words exploded in my head like a thunderclap. All the blood in my body rushed to my face.

Erica scoffed. "Relax, Asher. Carlisle Holdings took care of everything. No one will ever find out the truth. Just like no one will find us."

Carlisle Holdings...

The company that acquired my family's business. The monster that drove my father to his grave.

I couldn't listen anymore. My stomach churned violently. I spun around, stumbling away down the corridor.

Leaning against the cold wall, I retched, but nothing came up. Only a gut-wrenching, tearing pain.

I caught my reflection in a mirror at the end of the hall. A pale, shattered woman stared back at me. I didn't recognize her.

They didn't just betray me. They were connected to my father's death.

My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms. The pain was the only thing keeping me upright.

I couldn't let this go. I absolutely couldn't.

Taking a deep, ragged breath, I forced myself to think.

I wiped my tears, smoothing down my rumpled gown. I couldn't let them know I'd heard.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers shaking, but I didn't know who to call.

Just then, the bathroom door clicked open.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I instinctively ducked into the shadows of a nearby alcove.