The Cost of Deception

The Cost of Deception

rabbit

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I was the little princess cherished by my brother Derek Walton, the most well-behaved girl in our family. The boldest thing I ever did was hide my identity and date Lucas Morrison, my brother's sworn enemy, in secret for three years. Over those three years, I let him record countless sex videos. In the backseat of a sports car, I sat on his lap, completely bare, my waist gripped tightly in his hands.

Chapter 1

I was the little princess cherished by my brother Derek Walton, the most well-behaved girl in our family.

The boldest thing I ever did was hide my identity and date Lucas Morrison, my brother's sworn enemy, in secret for three years.

Over those three years, I let him record countless sex videos.

In the backseat of a sports car, I sat on his lap, completely bare, my waist gripped tightly in his hands.

Lucas, fully dressed, held his phone in his other hand.

"Lucas..." I tilted my head, lost in the moment, and whispered, "Please don't record..."

"Baby," Lucas said, his heated kisses trailing across my skin, "don't worry, these videos are just for me. You're so beautiful, I'd never let anyone else see."

My heart softened, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, overwhelmed with affection, letting the pleasure surge through me.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Lucas frowned but answered it.

I glanced over, panting, and saw it was his sister, Laura Morrison.

"Lucas, did you propose?" she asked.

Lucas's brow furrowed, and he switched to Aurianese. "Speak in Aurianese! Ariella's right here!"

A curse came from the other end, then Laura switched to Aurianese. "You proposed to Braelynn, so why are you still messing around with Ariella? Get rid of her!"

I never told Lucas I understood Aurianese, so I caught every word.

My body went cold.

Lucas proposed to Braelynn Phillips?

Then why did he propose to me just days ago?

What was I to him?

"Ariella will stay by my side, but her status is too low to be the lady of the Morrison family," Lucas said coldly, not noticing my reaction. "Laura, mind your own business."

Laughter from other men burst through the phone.

"Lucas! You're marrying Braelynn, so Ariella's bound to dump you. Come on, let us see those little videos of her! I'm dying to see that gold-digger let loose!"

"Those videos are mine, and she's not going anywhere!" Lucas snapped, irritation creeping into his voice. "When I'm done with her, I'll let you have a look."

My mind went blank, as if someone had slammed a hammer into my temple.

Pain surged through me, making my whole body tremble.

Lucas hung up, annoyed, and gripped my waist to continue.

I tilted my head back, shaking, as a tear slid from the corner of my eye.

Even as my body reached its peak, my heart drowned in bitter anguish.

Lucas straightened his clothes, his discarded phone ringing again.

The screen lit up, and I stole a glance at the message.

Snowflake texted, "Lucas, my parents want to discuss our wedding plans."

My fingers trembled. "Snowflake" was his special nickname for Braelynn.

Lucas glanced at the message and turned to me. "Ariella, I have some family matters to handle. Can you take a cab home?"

I looked at him deeply, nodded, and opened the car door.

The sports car sped off without hesitation.

I stood on the roadside, staring at the fading car, tears streaming down my face.

Memories flooded my mind.

I was the pampered princess of the wealthy Walton family, always obedient, except for one act of rebellion.

I secretly changed my college to a school in Sterling City, craving a normal life.

That was where I met Lucas.

I knew of him from high school; he was always compared to Derek.

They fought over territory, projects, everything, notorious rivals who clashed relentlessly.

The first time, at a campus music festival, some jealous rich girls cornered me backstage, tearing my performance outfit and mocking me as a lowly nobody.

When I felt helpless, Lucas pushed through the crowd and draped his jacket over me.

The second time, robbers held a knife to my throat.

While passersby ignored me, he charged in, kicking the thug to the ground, his back slashed and blood soaking his shirt.

I secretly fell for this tall, strong man, but I never imagined anything would happen.

He was already engaged to his childhood sweetheart, Braelynn Phillips.

I buried my feelings.

Until the Morrison family's investments failed, and they went bankrupt.

Braelynn quickly called off their engagement and married someone else.

I fought with Derek and, against all reason, anonymously invested ten billion from my grandmother's inheritance into Lucas's company.

I stayed up late with him, negotiated contracts, attended business dinners.

Once, a client tried to get me drunk.

When I was nearly assaulted, Lucas burst in, smashed the client's head, and carried me away.

That night, I gave in to my desires and kissed him.

The next day, we were together.

For three years, I endured scorching summers and freezing winters with him. I stayed by his side from dusk to dawn, helping him through those tough years.

It was me he kissed, held, and loved.

But in the end, I, who helped him rebuild his company stronger than ever, could never compare to Braelynn's return.

No matter how much I gave, he never intended to let me stand by his side openly.

Even the Morrisons and Laura preferred Braelynn, who abandoned them, over me.

Looking back, I was pitifully naive.

I stood up, wiping my tears.

This time, I decided I was done with him.

I stood on the roadside and called Derek. "Derek, I'm going to break up with him."

The line was silent for three seconds before Derek's low voice came through. "I told you before, Lucas has no heart."

My eyes reddened, and I whispered, "Yeah, I was too foolish."

"Come home," Derek said, his tone light. "Whenever you need me, I'll do anything for you."

"Then... marry me."

Derek's voice came through, unwavering. "In seven days, I'll give you a grand wedding in front of everyone."

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