Chapter 2

Sophie turned to me, brow furrowed with what looked almost like concern, as if she was the one being forced into an uncomfortable position.

"Emily, this isn't okay. You kept telling me it was harmless, voice work, and I believed you. But you knew it was more complicated than that. How could you keep this from Alex all this time?"

She sighed softly, her voice gentle but devastating. "Alex has been nothing but devoted to you. He thought you were innocent.

"He's been talking marriage, a future together. And now he finds out you're experienced. You've basically made him look like a fool in front of his whole family."

She gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth. "Oh, God. Emily, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It's Ryan's fault, really!"

She shot him a pointed look. "I've been around him so long I've picked up his blunt streak.

"Once it started coming out, I figured it was better to be honest now than let things explode later.

"I tried to cover for you, but then Ryan said something, and I couldn't exactly lie.

"Back when you were taking on that gig, I warned you. What if you run into someone you know? Wouldn't that be super awkward? And now, look. It actually happened."

Her words made me look like someone who'd do anything for money, lie to my boyfriend, and was shallow and messed up. Alex backed her up, adding fuel to the fire.

The Walkers looked at me like I was something dirty they'd found under the rug.

My heart kept sinking.

I had no idea why Sophie and Ryan were doing this, why they'd orchestrated this whole performance to destroy me in front of everyone.

But if I started defending myself in a panic, it would only make me look guilty, like I really had something to hide.

I forced my voice steady. "If you're going to accuse me, show me proof. You say I did sex work. Where's the evidence?"

Sophie sighed. "Emily, we were roommates for four years. You think I didn't notice you coming home at all hours? Staying up late 'working'? And proof? You think I recorded you? I didn't exactly want to listen to that."

Mary's face darkened, her gaze icy, not a hint of warmth left as she looked at me.

"Emily, you and Sophie were roommates. You told her everything. Why on earth would she make something like this up?

"Sophie's too kind. She only told the truth because she couldn't stand seeing our whole family being kept in the dark like fools."

Sophie took the opportunity to lean on Mary's shoulder, looking like she was about to cry, all innocent and hurt.

"I couldn't stand by and watch Mary and Alex being deceived. I wrestled with it for so long. And when Ryan brought it up, I couldn't hold it in anymore."

Watching them tag-team, shredding my reputation, rage, and humiliation, burned through me like wildfire. I grabbed my phone, ready to dial 911.

"Fine. If you're all so sure I was some adult performer, let's get the police involved. If it's true, I'll go down for it. If it's all lies, you'll be the ones facing charges."

But Alex reached out and slapped my phone out of my hand, scolding me. "Are you insane? It's Christmas. Do you want the whole neighborhood to hear about this? You know exactly what you did.

"You told me it was your first time, but you moved like someone who knew what she was doing. I thought it was weird back then. Now I get it."

The words hit me like a physical blow. My vision blurred, blood roaring in my ears.

I stared at this man I'd thought I'd spend my life with.

Not trusting me was bad enough. But painting me as a whore in front of his entire family, using the most intimate parts of our relationship as ammunition? I thought I might actually throw up.

I glanced at Sophie and Ryan. They exchanged a look, quick, triumphant, barely suppressed glee flickering across their faces. They weren't even trying to hide it anymore.

I'd been blind. I'd handed my trust to a snake and called her sister. I'd given my heart to a wolf and called him home.

"Let the facts speak for themselves." My voice came out hollow. I grabbed my phone and headed for the door. I couldn't breathe in this house anymore.

"Stop right there!" Mary's voice cut through the room like a blade. She planted herself in the doorway, arms spread, solid as a brick wall.

"You think you can walk out after this? No. You played with my son's heart. You made fools of us all. You owe us."

I owe them? The words were so absurd I nearly laughed.

Mary kept going, steamrolling forward as if she'd already won. "Someone like you, with your history, our family won't pay a cent of bride price.

"Your parents should hand over a house. And within three years, you'll give the Walker family two grandsons. That's how you'll start making this right."