Chapter 3 - The Sister’s Betrayal
The hardest part wasn't the fake smiles or the forced kisses. The hardest part was the post-wedding family brunch on Wednesday, two days before Axton planned to spring his financial trap.
We had delayed our honeymoon flight, claiming we wanted to settle some "family estate business" before leaving the country. My parents had organized a lavish brunch at their country club to celebrate the newlyweds. When Axton and I walked into the dining room, holding hands, the room broke into applause.
And right at the front of the crowd was Mila.
She ran up to us, her blonde hair bouncing, wearing a designer dress paid for by my trust fund. "Callie! Axton! You guys look so happy!"
She threw her arms around me. As she hugged me, I smelled it. The faint, distinct scent of sandalwood and bergamot. Axton’s custom cologne. It was lingering on her skin. My stomach violently revolted, but I forced my arms to wrap around her back, hugging her tight.
"I am so happy, Mila," I chirped, pulling away and looking her dead in the eye. "It's like a dream. Axton is the perfect man."
Mila’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a flash of pure jealousy burning in her eyes before she masked it. "He really is. You're so lucky, Cal."
During the brunch, I played my part flawlessly. I laughed at Axton's jokes, leaned my head on his shoulder, and talked endlessly about our upcoming honeymoon. I watched Mila across the table, gripping her mimosa glass so tightly her knuckles were white. Axton would occasionally shoot her covert, reassuring glances when he thought I wasn't looking. But I was always looking.
Beneath the table, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Silas.
The shell company he set up for the transfer is fully active. He’s moving the money to an account under Mila’s name in the Caymans the second you sign. Are you ready for tomorrow?
I was born ready, I texted back.
That night, back in our penthouse, Axton poured us both a glass of red wine. He sat beside me on the velvet sofa, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair, looking like a man carrying the weight of the world.
"Callie, sweetheart," he began, using that soft, manipulative tone. "I know we should just be celebrating, but your grandfather's lawyers reached out today. Because the trust officially activated upon our marriage, there's a mountain of administrative paperwork that needs to be consolidated to avoid massive tax penalties."
"Oh, no," I sighed, playing the overwhelmed bride. "I hate legal paperwork. Can't you just handle it for me, Ax?"
His eyes lit up with a greedy, victorious gleam. He hid it quickly behind a sigh. "I can, baby. But I need your signature to authorize the consolidation into our joint marital portfolio. I had my lawyers draft it up to save you the headache. If you sign it tomorrow at the Sterling board meeting, I'll take care of the rest, and we can fly to the beach worry-free."
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"You're amazing," I smiled, leaning in to kiss his cheek, holding my breath so I wouldn't gag. "What would I do without you?"
"You'll never have to find out," he whispered, entirely unaware that he was signing his own death warrant.
