The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the headache. It felt like someone had taken a hammer to my skull. I groaned, pressing my palms against my temples, and swore to myself I'd never touch alcohol again in my life. The next thing I noticed was the soreness between my legs, my pussy felt like it had been scraped raw. Confusion hit me like a wave. I peeled my eyes open, wincing at the light filtering through the curtains, and my heart lurched. This wasn't my room. Where the hell was I?
I sat up slowly, clutching the sheets to my chest, and thankfully, the pounding in my head started to ease. I blinked, taking in my surroundings, and a flicker of recognition sparked. I knew this room. It was the guest room opposite the one I shared with Lucas. It was the room I used to stay in when I first started visiting him, back when we were just dating, before we got engaged. But what was I doing here?
I was still lost in my thoughts, my brow furrowed as I tried to piece together the night, when I noticed movement on the bed beside me. My head snapped to the side, and I saw a man lying there, his chest rising and falling in a deep, steady rhythm. At first, my foggy brain screamed Lucas, but as my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I looked closer. Horror clawed at my chest, my breath catching in my throat. This wasn't Lucas.
I scrambled out of the bed, dragging the sheets with me to cover my naked body. My legs trembled as I stumbled backward, my eyes locked on the stranger. Thankfully, he didn't stir, his face relaxed in deep sleep, one arm flung carelessly over the pillow.
Who was this man? What was he doing in this bed? Why was I in this bed? Why was I sore....My eyes widened as realization crashed over me like a bucket of ice water. No… no… no. Oh my God, what have I done?
This couldn't be happening to me. Panic surged, my hands shaking as I clutched the sheets tighter. Lucas would be furious if he walked in and saw me like this, tangled in bed with a stranger. I had to leave. Now. I rushed to the floor, my movements frantic as I gathered my clothes. I dressed as quickly as my trembling fingers allowed, my breath hitching with every sound from the house, terrified someone might catch me. When I was done, I crept to the door, my bare feet silent against the hardwood. I peeked into the hallway, and when I saw it was empty, I bolted, running toward the front door like my life depended on it.
Once outside, the cool morning air hit my face, snapping me further awake. I hailed a cab, my voice shaky as I gave the driver my apartment address. I realized too late I didn't have my purse. Desperate, I begged the security guard at Lucas's townhouse to lend me some cash to pay the fare. He gave me a curious look but handed over a few bills, and I thanked him profusely before the cab sped off.
When I finally reached the safety of my apartment, I collapsed against the door, sliding to the floor as sobs tore through me. My chest heaved, tears streaming down my face, smudging last night's makeup. I didn't even remember what happened, but I knew with sickening certainty that I had slept with that stranger. The soreness, the unfamiliar fullness I could still feel—it was undeniable.
How would I tell Lucas I had slept with someone else? He would be livid. He wouldn't care that I was drunk, that I could barely piece together the night. God, I might lose him. The thought made my sobs come harder, my hands clutching my knees as I rocked back and forth on the cold floor.
I don't know how long I stayed there, curled up and crying, but the shrill ring of my telephone cut through the haze. My heart jumped, fear spiking that somehow everyone already knew what I'd done. I shook my head at the ridiculous thought and pushed myself up, my legs wobbly as I shuffled to the phone.
"Hello?" I said, picking it up. It was a miracle my voice came out steady despite the storm raging inside me.
"Camille? Oh, thank God. I was worried about you. Where are you?" Lucas's voice was laced with concern, and my stomach twisted with guilt.
"I'm at my apartment," I said, my fingers tightening around the receiver.
"Is everything alright?"
"Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" I forced a lightness into my tone, but my free hand clenched into a fist.
"I don't know. It's just weird that you rushed off to your house so early. Your bag's still here."
"Yeah, I forgot it, I wanted to get off my dress that I forget my purse." I mumbled, my mind racing for an excuse.
"Your clothes are in the house." He pointed out. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am. I… I forgot I had practically moved in," I lied, biting my lip.
"Is it that time of the month?"
"Yes," I seized the excuse, relief flooding me. "It came so early, and I had to leave. I'm sorry, babe."
"No need. I understand." His voice softened, and I could picture him running a hand through his dark hair, his brow creasing slightly. "You do remember we're having dinner with my parents this evening, right?"
Shit. I had completely forgotten. My stomach sank. I wasn't looking forward to it then, and I definitely wasn't now. The last thing I needed was to face his parents, who had never hidden their disapproval of me.
"Yeah, I remember," I said, my voice flat. "I'll be at the house by six."
"Okay. Take care. And please wear something…"
"Classy. I know," I finished for him, my lips pressing into a thin line.
"Why don't you wear something from our last shopping trip? Mom would really warm up to you if she sees you putting in an effort to fit into our world."
"Of course, babe. Erm, I need to go. I have a lot of things to do today." I needed to end this call before I broke down again.
"Cool. I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah. Love yo..." The line went dead before I could finish. I stared at the phone, my heart sinking further, before gently placing it back on the receiver. At least Lucas didn't know what happened last night. I still had time to figure out what to do.
By 5:30, I was back at Lucas's house, dressed in a sleek navy dress from our last shopping trip, my hair pulled into an elegant updo to mask how frazzled I felt. We headed to his parents' estate together, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap throughout the journey.
Lucas's parents lived in a private estate, their sprawling mansion a testament to their status as one of Chicago's richest families. Their company, Vaughmont Breweries, founded by Lucas's great-grandfather and his friend, had flourished over generations, its name synonymous with wealth and power. As we pulled up to the iron gates, my nerves tightened. It felt like everyone already knew what I'd done, like this dinner was a trap to humiliate me.
"Hey," Lucas said, his hand closing over mine as I lingered at the foot of the front steps. His touch was warm, grounding, but it only deepened my guilt.
"What's wrong? You've been acting strange since we started driving. Are you okay?" His green eyes searched mine, concern etched into his handsome face.
"Yes, I am," I lied, forcing a small smile, my lips trembling slightly.
"Are you sure? You know how my parents are. I want you to be at your best at this dinner. I was hoping they'd warm up to you."
"I understand. Don't worry about me. I'm fine," I said, squeezing his hand back, though my stomach churned.
"Okay. Let's go." Together, we walked into the house, my heels echoing in the grand foyer. The housekeeper, a stern woman with gray streaks in her hair, informed us that his parents were already in the dining room, and we made our way there, my heart pounding with every step.
"You're late," Mrs. Cecil Vaughan said the moment we stepped into the dining room, her voice sharp as she adjusted her pearl necklace, her eyes narrowing at me.
"I'm sorry. We got caught up in traffic," Lucas said smoothly, walking over to his mother. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, his charm effortless. Then he turned to his father. "Hello, Father."
Mr. Everett Vaughan merely nodded, his face impassive as he continued cutting into his steak. Lucas took his seat opposite his mother, and I followed, settling beside him, my hands clasped tightly in my lap.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan," I said, my voice steady despite the cold reception. As expected, they didn't respond, didn't even glance my way.
The dinner went on, the conversation flowing solely between Lucas and his parents. They discussed work, the latest Vaughmont deals, and random society gossip. Lucas didn't try to include me, and I didn't bother inserting myself, my fork pushing food around my plate as I kept my eyes down.
When the second course was about to be served, I heard the faint chime of the doorbell. My head tilted slightly, curious.
"Oh, finally. He's here," Mrs. Cecil said, her face lighting up with a rare, genuine smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement. It was the happiest I'd ever seen her about someone's presence. Was someone joining us for dinner?
I turned to Lucas, my brow furrowing. "Is someone else joining us for dinner?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
"Oh, didn't I tell you?" he said, his tone casual as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "My best friend is here in Chicago."
"Your best friend?" I blinked, caught off guard. Lucas had never mentioned a best friend before.
"Yes. He flew in yesterday to attend the engagement party, but his plane arrived late. He was at the house last night for the party, but he didn't really mingle much. You must have seen him."
Seen him? I didn't even know he had a best friend, let alone that he was in Chicago. A pang of hurt twisted in my chest that Lucas hadn't shared something so important, but I pushed it down.
I was about to respond when I heard footsteps behind me from the entrance. Lucas stood from his chair, a wide grin spreading across his face as he walked toward the newcomer.
"Hey, man!" he called, his voice warm.
Mrs. Cecil's smile widened, her hands clasping together. "Damien, it's so nice to finally see you. I almost thought you wouldn't be able to tear yourself away from work."
"And miss seeing Lucas one last time before he's off the market? Not a chance," a deep voice replied.
"Speaking of," Lucas said, turning back to me, "Camille, I want you to meet my best friend."
Still stinging from the fact that Lucas hadn't told me about his best friend, I mustered the best fake smile I could, smoothing my dress as I stood from the chair. I turned and moved toward Lucas, but before I could reach him, my eyes met the eyes of his best friend.
I froze mid-step, my breath catching in my throat, my heart stopping as if someone had yanked the plug from my chest. My eyes refused to believe what they were seeing.
It was the man from last night. The man I had slept with.