A Veil of Scars and Secrets

I'd been Alexander Sterling's dirty little secret for five years.

On my 24th birthday, he married his precious ex-girlfriend.

When I demanded an explanation, he was utterly indifferent.

Scarlett has terminal cancer. She's only got a month left.

It was her final wish. How could I let her go with that regret?

Scarlett Jones leaned into him, her eyes glinting with pure spite.

"Honestly, I hate dwelling on goodbyes," she chirped.

"A wedding should be a party! Let's celebrate right now!"

Just like that, Scarlett's words twisted my birthday bash into their impromptu wedding reception.

My brother Ethan and our friends lined up to offer congratulations.

When it was my turn, I didn't cry or make a scene.

Under Alexander's warning glare, I calmly picked up my glass.

"Congrats on the nuptials," I said, my voice steady.

"Hope you rot together in hell."

The room fell silent.

All eyes were on me.

Alexander's knuckles went white around his glass.

He patted the spot beside him.

"Enough drama, Sophia. Come sit over here."

That spot had always been mine. Until now.

Now it was Scarlett's too.

I ignored him, walking straight past to sit beside Ethan instead.

Alexander's eyes darkened instantly.

Ethan laughed, defusing the tension.

"Alex, we all know you see Sophia like a sister, but you're married now. Can't be so casual. Scarlett might get jealous."

Scarlett clung to Alexander, practically fused to his side.

Alexander snorted.

"I just want Scarlett to leave peacefully. This marriage dissolves in a month anyway."

"And besides," he added, throwing me a dismissive glance,

"if I really wanted to marry her, why wait until now?"

Ethan and the others weren't buying it.

"When Scarlett left for Paris, you were a wreck for half a year!"

"The hottest bachelor in New York city, moping around with us, never dating anyone."

"Always said you weren't interested. Now Scarlett snaps her fingers, and you drag her to the County Clerk's Office? Tell us you weren't waiting for her, we dare you!"

"Exactly! Alex got drunk once and admitted he was waiting for Scarlett to come back. I'm not making it up! Everyone who heard him that night is right here!"

As the table erupted with corroboration, I just drank, my heart twisting with a familiar, sickening pain.

I'd been with Alexander since I was eighteen.

At twenty-two, I begged him to go public.

But Alexander said he was Ethan's main investor.

Going public would invite nasty rumors about our relationship. He worried I was too young to handle it.

At twenty-three, he promised,

"When you're a little older. At twenty-four, if we're still together, we'll tell the world."

Today was my twenty-fourth birthday.

And he married Scarlett Jones.

Scarlett flashed me a triumphant smile.

"Sophia, Alex and I might have our history, but this marriage is real."

"He's spoiled you rotten on your birthdays, hasn't he? Surely you have a gift for us? That necklace you're wearing I adore it. Hand it over?"

Alexander gave me this necklace on my eighteenth birthday.

That was the year he told me he loved me.

For five years, I'd never taken it off.

Ethan, seeing my hesitation, tried to mediate.

"Sophia, you know Alex has always been waiting for Scarlett. They lost so much time. Just let them have this."

I looked straight at Alexander.

He stayed silent.

Until Scarlett slid onto his lap, whining.

"Alex, I really want it. Buy me the same one? Then I can go in peace."

Alexander chuckled softly, pulling her closer.

"Stop talking like that. It's just a cheap trinket."

"Sophia," he said, his tone dismissive,"since Scarlett wants it, give it to her."

Suddenly, I couldn't speak.

Since eighteen, I'd given him everything without asking for a title.

Five years of secrets.

We'd tried every intimacy in bed.

He liked me in sundresses, so I packed away my t-shirts.

He wanted thrills, so I kept us hidden.

But in that moment

I realized the heart I'd handed him for five years meant absolutely nothing to him.

Scarlett, basking in his attention, kissed him full on the lips to the room's cheers.

Still, I didn't make a scene. Silently, I unclasped the necklace and dropped it on the table.

"You're right, Mr. Sterling. It's worthless. Have it."

Alexander's gaze locked onto me, fury sparking in his eyes.

Only when Scarlett whimpered did he loosen his grip on her arm.

He sneered.

"Since Sophia's being so generous, Scarlett, take it."

Scarlett examined it dismissively.

"Actually, it's kinda tacky. Nothing like the pieces you've given me."

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it towards a server clearing plates.

"Here, you might get a few bucks for it."

Watching my necklace disappear under food scraps

Alexander saw my face pale. His voice was hard.

"What are you waiting for? Tonight's my wedding celebration! Drink up! Nobody leaves early."

I was pale as paper.

"No need. Enjoy yourselves. I have to go."

Alexander's expression turned thunderous.

I didn't look back.

I walked out of the room.

In the mansion's parking lot, my phone screen stayed blank.

No messages.

Not a single word of explanation from Alexander.

But he had posted something.

I clicked on it instinctively.

A video.

Him and Scarlett, sharing a single breadstick, playfully urged to kiss.

As their lips met, everyone cooed about the tragedy of their five-year separation.

No one knew about Sophia Green, hidden away for five years.

In the video, Scarlett, flushed, kissed his throat with practiced allure.

Alexander didn't push her away.

His eyes held that familiar, dangerous glint of desire .The look he got when he was turned on.

That look used to be only for me.

Now it belonged to Scarlett.

Alexander Sterling, if this is your choice fine. I'm done.

I tapped the 'Like' button on his post.

Then, silently, I cleared out every trace of myself from his mansion.

How many times had I begged Alexander to go public?

Pleading, threatening, even whispering the question when I was breathless and spent in his arms.

When can we tell people?

Alexander always had an excuse.

Until Scarlett showed up. Alexander paraded her before his inner circle, made them call her

"Mrs. Sterling."

Publicly announced their marriage.

Finally, I understood.

He didn't want to go public with me. He just didn't love me.

Finished, I went home.

The second I opened the door, my parents called from overseas.

"Sweetheart, remember Christopher Shaw? You grew up together. He's back in town. You should meet up."

During my years with Alexander, my parents had introduced me to every eligible bachelor imaginable.

Just waiting for my nod.

I'd always refused.

But now.

"Okay."

Next, I emailed HR my resignation.

I'd loved Alexander so much, I'd joined his company straight out of college. To help him win bids, I'd pulled all-nighters C research, materials, proposals.

I'd lost ten pounds during that time.

Alexander's eyes would fill with concern.

He'd have his private chef send meals to the office.

Back then, even though we were secret

His affection for me was never hidden.

Now, that special treatment belonged to Scarlett.

Shortly after sending the resignation, Alexander called.

When I answered, dead silence hung between us.

Usually, no matter who called first, I was the one scrambling to fill the quiet.

This time, I couldn't muster the energy to speak.

Just as I thought he wouldn't break the silence and was about to hang up

Alexander's voice, thick with disgust, came through.

"Sophia Green. Liking my post? Quitting? What game are you playing now?"

"Scarlett only has a month left! Can't you wait one damn month?"

"Are you trying to make me break up with you?"

I used to be terrified of that.

Absolutely terrified.

So I'd played the perfect, obedient girlfriend.

Now?

I was done pretending.

"Alexander Sterling," I said, my voice flat.

"Then let's break up."

The day after I dumped him, my resignation was approved.

HR's tone was icy.

Told me to clear my desk immediately.

Barred from the premises.

Alexander was furious, clearly.

Walking through the departments, I caught snippets of scorn.

"Mr. Sterling only tolerated her because she's the partner's sister. Did she really think she'd be Mrs. Sterling? Look at her now, slinking away."

"Even if he spoiled her before, serves her right after embarrassing the realMrs. Sterling. Good riddance."

I tuned out the whispers, focusing on handing over my work.

One stamp on that form

And Alexander Sterling would be out of my life for good.

"Hold it."

Alexander's cold voice cut through the air behind me.

Scarlett clung to his arm, smirking at me.

"The details of this morning's bid were leaked. I heard Ms. Green handled those files."

I met Alexander's eyes.

"You think it was me?"

"Whether it was or not, we'll check your computer."

At his nod, IT guys swarmed my desk.

It felt like a slap in the face.

I'd poured blood, sweat, and sleepless nights into those bid documents.

And now Alexander suspected me of betrayal?

"Don't touch my computer!"

They weren't just searching files; they were trying to recover deleted data.

If they succeeded

Those deleted photos C proof of us C would be out in the open.

Security blocked me. I was powerless.

"Alexander! Tell them to stop! I didn't leak anything!"

Alexander grabbed my wrist, his face grim.

"Was it you?"

Whispers erupted.

"Must be her. Why else freak out?"

"Probably bitter about Mr. Sterling. Sold us out to the competition. How pathetic."

Alexander cut them off coldly.

"Shut up. Files recovered?"

"Done!"

I whipped around.

"Don't open them! Alexander!"

He tightened his grip, his voice a command.

"Open it!"

The photos flooded the screen C stripping me bare.

Humiliation choked me, tears burning.

Alexander's expression was unreadable.

Finally

He laughed, scrolling through the pictures.

"Sophia Green. Are you some kind of obsessed fan? Where'd you dig up these photos? Did you Photoshop my face in?"

Laughter erupted around me.

Humiliation washed over me in waves.

He'd hidden his marriage to Scarlett.

Fine.

He'd turned my birthday into their wedding.

Fine.

But this public shaming?

Unbearable.

Scarlett sneered.

"Sophia, do you love Alex? Just admit it. I might even let you have him."

Alexander frowned.

"Don't encourage her, Scarlett. Everyone knows I see Sophia like a sister. If you like these photos, get someone to Photoshop us together."

He was punishing me for the breakup. Denying everything.

But his words were knives, shredding my heart.

I dug my nails into my palms, fighting tears.

Scarlett smiled victoriously.

"Alex, that's so cruel! At least spare her feelings. What if she runs off like I did? Might be harder to win back this time."

Alexander didn't believe I'd leave.

Not really.

Five years.

He knew how desperately I loved him.

So he'd hurt me, certain I'd always crawl back.

If I'd fought with him before, I'd cave within thirty-six hours.

Always the first to apologize.

Always crawling back.

But Sophia Green didn't love Alexander Sterling anymore.

When would he figure that out?