Chapter II: The Second Betrayal and a New Awakening -2

I quietly entered the room, expecting to see Mr. Miller making my cousin enjoy herself as he had made me enjoy myself. To be honest, though, that idea disturbed me. I had the stupid feeling that my experience with him had been rare and unique.

"I'm crazy!" I thought. I continued until I reached the bed.

When I looked at the bed, I felt my world collapse. On it was my boyfriend, Harry Walter, lying on his back while my cousin rode him. I was so surprised that I dropped the vase, breaking it into a thousand pieces.

The noise made the two look at me. Their faces showed everything from Harry's surprise to Maryori's mockery. In that moment, I knew my cousin had drugged me the night before.

"What a surprise!" I thought. "I thought you'd still be busy with Mr. Gartner, cousin! Too bad you didn't give yourself to Harry sooner. Now that 50-year-old man has fucked you and taken your virginity. Deep down, you're a slut like your mother." Hearing Maryori talk to me like that, I felt her venom was something she had held onto for a long time, just like my aunt. She had always despised me because she hated my mother, her own sister, but I never knew the reason why.

Harry looked at me and covered himself, barely ashamed of what I had caught him doing a few seconds ago with my cousin. He looked at me with disgust and shouted.

"What is Maryori saying? Have you slept with an old man and not even let me touch you? What kind of slut are you, Yviane?" Do you like mature men? If I had known, I would have introduced you to my father. Then you could have been with both him and me. I didn't know you were that kind of woman.

I felt like everything around me was a lie. The only truth was that the man who took my innocence was not a despicable old man. In fact, he was a strong, virile young man. Deep down, although I didn't want to admit it, he was also a very good lover, given my lack of experience.

As for the rest, my ex-boyfriend was a treacherous pig, and my cousin drugged and betrayed me. The only thing that went wrong was that he sold me because, for some reason, I ended up in the arms of another man.

I started laughing out loud. "You think I slept with an old man? You're very wrong, little cousin. I spent the whole night with a young, sexually active man who showed me everything a woman can enjoy. I certainly don't need a spoiled child like Harry to teach me that. Keep your leftovers, cousin. That used specimen is all you get. I don't want him anymore," I said to Maryori, pointing with disgust at my ex-boyfriend.

I started to leave. Harry yelled at me to stop, but I ignored him.

"If you leave, you're fired!" the traitor yelled.

"I quit! I'd rather lose my job than see you again." Without another word, I left the room and slammed the door behind me. Despite my discomfort, I kept walking because I was still hurt.

When I arrived home, I was surprised to find my aunt's car waiting for me. She got out of the car and slapped me without warning.

"I just found out from your cousin that you've been sleeping with men in hotels! Like mother, like daughter—you're just as much of a slut as your mother!" she yelled as I covered my cheek. My aunt had always treated me this way, insulting me by bringing up my mother.

But this time, I was tired of respecting her. I looked her straight in the eye and said, "Stop worrying about how I am or who I sleep with. Worry about your daughter sleeping with other people's boyfriends. You should be ashamed of yourself. You've spoiled her so much and instilled so much hatred in her that you've turned her into a slut."

My aunt tried to hit me again, but I was ready for her this time. I grabbed her hand and pushed her away. "Don't ever lay a hand on me again. As of today, we are no longer family," I said. Without further ado, I walked home while she yelled that I was going to ruin my life and that she didn't know what was in store for me.

I spent the afternoon reorganizing, sending my resignation letter to the human resources department at Walter Design, looking at my savings to see how long I could survive without working, and sending several résumés to design companies.

In the evening, my curiosity got the better of me, and I looked up information about Norman Miller. I almost fainted. I had slept with the president and owner of the fourth largest business conglomerate in the United States for the first time.

Not only that, but he was also single and very protective of his private life. He paid millions to ensure that nothing about his personal life was published. He was known for being intimidating and ruthless, and for always keeping his deals. If you did business with him, you had to fulfill the deal or face the consequences.

A chill ran through me. It wouldn't be good to make him an enemy, although I'm sure Mr. Miller had already forgotten about her.