HIS FIRST LADY(SANDRO MARCOS)

Chapter 13: Cross Your Heart

I can't quite grasp what twisted satisfaction Kaylee gets from provoking me, pushing for a reaction to the pain she's inflicted. But I refuse to give her the validation she craves.

No matter how much she wants me to hate her, I see her as nothing more than a misguided child—too naive and inexperienced to truly understand the damage she's causing.

"I'm not wasting my energy on someone so immature and shortsighted," I say calmly. "The real issue is with Samuel. He's the one pulling the strings, Kaylee. One day, you'll see how he's been playing us both."

"Don't turn this on Samuel and me," she snaps, raising her chin in defiance. "You should feel anger. You should feel hate."

"But why?" I ask, bewildered. "Why do you want me to hate you so much?"

Through gritted teeth, she spits out the words, "Because I hate you."

Time stops. My thoughts freeze. The entire world slows to a standstill.

Kaylee hates me? How can that be? "After everything I've done for you..."

"You stole my life!" she snarls, her voice trembling with fury.

"I searched for you tirelessly," I counter. "When everyone else gave up, I never did."

When I was adopted into this family, Kaylee had already been missing. Our parents were devastated, burdened with constant grief. Though they cared for me, I could tell a part of them was always somewhere else—lost with her.

I loved them deeply, and it tore at me to see them suffer. So I threw myself into the search for the sister I never knew. I organized search parties, put up signs, volunteered—anything I could do to bring her home.

There were times even our parents urged me to stop, their hearts too weary from the endless searching. But I couldn't let go, even if it meant working behind their backs to protect them from more disappointment.

When we finally found Kaylee, I was the one who helped her readjust to life with us. I thought, even with our age difference, we'd be sisters at the very least.

Even this affair with my husband—while painful—should never have been enough to break the bonds of family between us.

How could she believe I'd hate her? She's one of the few people I love most in this world.

"I never wanted to take your life, Kaylee. I just wanted to bring you back so our family could heal."

"Lies," she sneers, her eyes blazing with cold disdain. "You just wanted everyone to like you. Perfect Rafha, pretending to miss the sister she never even knew." Her voice drips with venom. "You used them—you used me—to play the hero."

"That's not true," I say firmly. "I only ever wanted to help."

"You swear?" she mocks.

"Yes."

"Then cross your heart."

I lift my hand and make an X over my chest.

"Now cross mine," she demands, her anger seething.

Hoping to ease her resentment, I reach toward her chest.

Suddenly, she screams and collapses.

I haven't even touched her!

Samuel bursts out of the bedroom. Seeing my hand outstretched, it must look like I pushed her.

"What the hell are you doing?" he shouts, rushing toward me and shoving me aside. I slam into the wall, my elbow denting the plaster.

He ignores me completely, focused only on Kaylee. She whimpers as he helps her to her feet.

"She attacked me out of nowhere," Kaylee sobs.

"That's not true!"

"Shut up, Rafha!" Samuel's voice is filled with disgust, shocking me into silence. How could he talk to me like this? Even if he no longer loves me, does he really believe I'm capable of hurting my own sister?

"You're not the woman I married," he says coldly. "You've turned into a spiteful snake, lashing out just because Kaylee's more desirable than you."

"I would never hurt anyone, least of all my sister."

"You're a liar!" Kaylee suddenly yells before burying her face back into Samuel's shoulder, feigning tears.

I feel more disappointment than anger. My husband and sister are so lost in their twisted desires that they can't see the truth in front of them.

I have children with Samuel. How could he think so little of me?

"You've been cheating behind my back," I say, keeping my voice steady. "I haven't said a word, even though I've had every chance. And this is how you repay me? What more do you want from me?"

Kaylee sobs dramatically, shaking her head as Samuel holds her protectively, gently stroking her back.

"You disgust me, Rafha," he says. "The woman I married would never stoop this low. Jealousy is one thing, but attacking your own sister because of it?"

It's clear nothing I say will change his mind. Only Kaylee confessing the truth could sway him, but after what she said, I know that won't happen.

Her hatred might be real, or it could be pent-up resentment from being trapped in this toxic situation, vying for a married man's attention.

If there's any jealousy here, it's hers, not mine. She may be sleeping with my husband, but I'm the one with the ring.

The thought sickens me. I don't want this anymore.

"You already embarrassed Kaylee at the party," Samuel continues, "but that wasn't enough. You had to follow us here and torment her further."

"I didn't follow anyone. This is my home."

"It's *my* home," Samuel retorts, "and home to those I choose to keep here. After what you've done, you have no right to stay. Kaylee will sleep in the bedroom from now on. You can make yourself comfortable in your car in the garage."

I feel numb, my fingers and toes tingling as if they're no longer part of me.

"If you have any decency left, you'll thank me for my generosity," Samuel adds. "I'm only letting you stay because of the kids."

"She deserves to be on the street," Kaylee cries.

Samuel gently kisses her cheek. "Let me handle this, honey."

The numbness spreads, consuming me entirely except for my heart and my voice.

"Samuel," I say.

"There's no use defending yourself," he snaps.

"I'm not defending myself," I reply, my voice steady and clear.

"I want a divorce."