HARPER
I tripped for the fifth time today, and my eye twitched for the twentieth.
Bad omen. Always was. This kind of thing only happened when the universe was about to slap me with something awful, and right on cue, my phone buzzed.
A message popped up: Your Fiancé is into group sex? Seems you ain't giving him enough. Ouch!
Then a video.
My stomach twisted into sickening knots as I watched Owen. My Owen, moaning, his body tangled with some random girl while another man fucked him from behind.
For a brief second, I thought about storming across the hall, dragging him out in front of everyone, and shoving the phone in his lying face. Screaming, demanding, and making a scene without giving a flying fuck about the Wilson Family Rules I needed to follow.
But I didn't. I did the most Harper thing possible— slipped the phone back into my clutch. I pushed back the lumps rising in my throat and plastered on a faux smile.
There would be time for screaming later, after the party. After I figured out why someone sent me that video in the first place, whoever they were, they clearly wanted to ruin my night and Owen, who'd be taking over his father's company as CEO.
This was the 21st century, and AI had gone largely unrestrained; who knew what it might have done?
The banquet hall shimmered with soft lights, and crystal chandeliers cast warm glows across the marbled floor. I passed by two women and a man, their heads almost pressed together as they murmured. I didn't know them. Honestly, I barely recognized half the people in this room. My parents had sent out the invitations, and people had shown up. It was the Wilson party, after all—no one wanted to miss it.
I'd only asked for a small get-together. But instead, they threw me this. The first time they'd ever done something nice for me without a long list of complaints. It was… suspicious. I couldn't help but wonder if I'd be giving my soul in return.
And maybe it was because of Fletcher's family influence, as they were the most important people here tonight aside from my family.
"Who would have thought being illegitimate has some benefit?"
"She'd better thank Mr Wilson for bringing her out of the slum she was once in."
"Maybe we should start calling her Cinderella since she's getting engaged to the Prince himself."
"I don't get it, Owen Fletcher is heir to his father's company and definitely deserves a worthy heiress, not some hobo whose mother sells pussy to entice men—"
"Why not? She's her mother's daughter. Trash breeds trash."
Their laughter followed me across the elegant room. My gaze lowered, and I hastily walked away without indulging them. Of course, their words stung, but they weren't lying.
My mother had an affair with a married man, my father, and dropped me on the porch of my grandmother's as soon as I was born. My grandmother died when I was seven, then I was shipped off to my father like I was some putrescible domestic waste she couldn't wait to get rid of.
Ever since then, I had competed for his attention with my stepmother and half sister. It was hate at first sight, and they made sure I knew it.
The clicking of heels across the floor got my attention. I raised my head to see my stepmother, Elizabeth Wilson. Graceful. Gorgeous. Even in her fifties.
"What did I tell you about showing too much presence?" She said in a hushed voice, clutching my arm. Her manicured finger dug into my skin, earning a wince from me.
"Do you want everyone to start whispering about the scandalous affair of your father?" She hissed.
I shook my head, biting my lower lip. "I'm sorry, mother. I'm only going to meet with Owen." I whispered as she began to drag me to the corner.
My eyes darted around the large hall, and I noticed no one was paying attention to me, as they shouldn't.
My mere existence was a sin. Elizabeth made sure to remind me of that. I wasn't meant to breathe too much, show too much presence, or outshine her daughter, Camilla, else I'd be punished, or even speak when I decided to appear. Those were the rules I was meant to abide by.
I was practically a mute most of the time.
Even though today was my engagement, I still wasn't spared the harsh treatment.
"There are enough exit doors; you should have taken the one closest to him. Why the damned entrance hall, where everyone would get to see you and make a stupid story out of it?" She grunted, pushing me into the wall.
I groaned as my elbow grazed it, bruising.
"Attention, everyone." Owen's voice cut through whatever Elizabeth had to say.
She breathed in and out, her eyes narrowed on mine, and she muttered. "Do not bring this family name to shame. Your mother might have done it once, but I won't spare it the second time."
Immediately she finished speaking, she yeeted me out of the corner and I stumbled, bumping into a waiter, who clasped my arm to steady me before I could embarrass myself. Or worse, break my ankle.
"Thanks," I mumbled, gazing at the floor.
He shrugged. "No problem."
Then he walked away.
I puffed out a slow breath, making my way towards the crowd that formed.
I caught sight of Owen on the stage.
He was handsome as ever in his tailored charcoal grey tux. Tall with tousled midnight black hair that looked like he had driven his fingers through it several times, blue eyes, and that Owen Fletcher smirk that often weakened my knees formed on his lips.
I guessed it wasn't only me who was affected by his charm. The crowd stared at him with an eagerness that made me feel he had them wrapped around his fingers.
Owen cleared his throat, leaning towards the mic. "I want to thank someone truly special. She's been with me for years, supported me through everything, and believed in me even when I had many doubts."
Owen chuckled, and the crowd did too. He continued, the room going silent again, winking at me. My cheeks grew hot, and I blinked away from him until I heard him call my name.
"Harper, I'll always cherish you."
Owen came down from the stage, and I began to move towards him, my heart pounding, and a wild flutter spread in my stomach. Oh, how I loved him so much. How I had anticipated this night and this very speech!
Owen paused, his lips still curved in that smile I adored. My fingers twitched to touch his face, to feel the familiar warmth of his skin, but I didn't want to be too forward. Elizabeth wouldn't like it.
"I've found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. And for this reason, I am formally asking…" He extended his hand, and I reached out for him, but someone else slid their hand into his.
"Camilla Wilson, will you marry me?"
Wait, what?!
My breath hitched, my heart thumped loud and disorderly. My vision dimmed as several thoughts swirled in my head at once, and I stumbled backwards, but someone shoved me.
"Don't break your neck, sister," a sweet, cruel voice whispered in my ears.
I looked to my side just as she walked past me. Camilla!
My half sister. Perfect. The legitimate heiress to Wilson Holdings. She placed her hand on Owen's, a smug smile on her face directed at me.
"Owen?" I murmured, swallowing back lumps, my trembling hands clasped my clutch in a firm hold. "What are you doing?"
"What do you say, baby?" Owen questioned, looking at Camilla.
"Yes, yes, baby. I'll marry you, my darling." She enthused, flinging her arms around his neck and pressing her body against his.
A strangled laugh bubbles out of my mouth before I can stifle it. Was I dreaming? I pinched myself hard to ensure this was real, and I winced when I felt the pain.
"It's settled," Owen declared. The crowd erupted in cheers, and the camera flashed as I stood, frozen and trembling, as if I had been doused with chilly water.
This…was supposed to be my day. My party…but it was hijacked by my sister. The knowing smile on her face said she knew this would happen. Owen didn't spare me a glance, and I turned wildly to the crowd; they all seemed so invested in the soon-to-be Mrs Fletcher as they walked towards her to congratulate her.
The video…god, the video earlier. It was real. It wasn't some AI shit as I had thought. Owen lied to me. The bastard had been cheating on me for a long time, yet he acted like the saint himself!
My phone dinged, and through blurred vision, I saw I got a message.
"I told you he's a cheat. You should have saved yourself the embarrassment and not come to the party. This is fun, hehehe."
Fun? In my pain, someone still saw this as fun. My eyes locked on the first person in my line of vision. Tall, broad-shouldered, with ocean-blue smouldering eyes that seemed to see through me. My soul. My hurt.
Something snapped inside of me, and I marched towards him. They want fun? Well, I'd give them something worthy to talk about. I grabbed the lapel of his jacket, standing on tiptoes, and before I could stop myself, I kissed him—my ex's very hot, very off-limits uncle—and over a thousand people saw it happen.
Phones were out. Cameras were rolling. The Wilson family's charity gala had just become embroiled in its biggest scandal of the year.
Starring me: Harper Wilson.