The Price of Betrayal novel Chapter 5

I was in the middle of a Zoom conference with several investors when my high school alumni WhatsApp group, dormant for nearly a decade, suddenly erupted with notifications.

[Ashley, have you seen Victoria's announcement? She's getting married today! Are you really not coming?]

As messages flooded my screen, I learned that Victoria Pierce, our high school's former homecoming queen, was about to walk down the aisle.

Everyone from our graduating class would be there.

I kept my response professional: [Sorry, caught up in meetings right now.]

The backlash was immediate and harsh.

[What could you possibly be doing? Someone who's been MIA from social media forever must be living under a rock!]

[Just admit you're embarrassed about your life instead of playing the busy card.]

Victoria herself jumped in: [Remember our senior year bet? I always said I'd marry someone way more successful than you!]

I fired back: [Must have slipped my mind.]

The group chat exploded.

[Victoria's fiancé is the CEO of a NASDAQ-listed company! They've got a fleet of Rolls-Royces for the wedding procession!]

[Sounds like someone's jealous of Victoria's success and conveniently 'forgot' about the bet!]

[Maybe you can't even afford a decent wedding gift? Want us to start a GoFundMe for you?]

Amid the bombardment of messages, Victoria tagged me again, feigning magnanimity.

[I really want you to be there for my special day! Since we're old classmates, I'm sure my husband could arrange an entry-level position for you at his company.]

She followed up with a stunning pre-wedding photoshoot featuring her and her soon-to-be husband.

My blood ran cold when I saw his face.

It was Nathan Bradley – my husband, who had married into my family.

[Of course, I wouldn't miss witnessing your happiness!] I typed, my fingers trembling slightly.

Just then, a message from Nathan popped up: [Hey honey, heading to visit my parents upstate today. Left you some pasta in the fridge - just needs reheating.

[Love you.]

Nathan had moved in with me three years ago, always taking care of the little things in our life.

Even when he was away, he never failed to think about my needs.

What used to warm my heart now filled me with bitter irony.