Betrayed Into Wealth

Chapter 1

Ting!

A message arrived on Brian's phone.

"[Your girlfriend is cheating on you!]"

Brian stared at the screen for a few seconds longer than necessary.

The message was short, with no sender's name and no explanation. Just one sentence that felt like a brick to the head.

He let out a shaky breath and locked his phone. He dismissed it as a prank or just the work of someone with nothing to do.

But the messages didn't stop there.

The next day, the same message came in again. The day after that, again. Until, before he knew it, tonight was the seventh day Brian had received similar messages from the same number, at almost exactly the same time.

"Shit! What does this person want?" Brian muttered in annoyance.

Not only were they annoying, but they were also starting to make him sick. Every notification sound felt like a taunt.

But on the other hand, there was a part of him that wanted to prove this was all nonsense. Lily wasn't that kind of woman. Lily was loyal. He was sure of it.

Brian hadn't known Lily for a day or two. They'd been together for four years. Four years filled with little habits, trivial arguments, and future plans they often discussed over cheap coffee on the apartment balcony.

Brian was a final-semester student. His life revolved around three places: campus, the cafe where he worked part-time, and the cramped apartment he rented with the last of his monthly allowance.

His days were busy and tiring, but they always felt enough because Lily was in his heart.

That night, after a long shift that left his back aching, Brian decided not to ignore the message.

He started his old motorcycle and drove to Lily's apartment. The night air was cold, but his head was far hotter with his own thoughts.

He was sure this visit would only prove one thing, the message was a lie.

Lily's apartment wasn't far away. It was a well-maintained old building, with quiet alleys and dim lights.

Brian stopped in front of Lily's unit door and stared at it for a moment, as if catching his breath.

Tiiit!

Brian entered a few numbers into the apartment door. They did know each other's codes. There were no secrets between them, at least that's what Brian believed.

They were even planning to get married after they both graduated from college. Everything felt real, plausible, and safe.

Click!

The door opened.

Brian stepped cautiously inside. The apartment was dark and quiet. The living room lights were off, and the television was off. He assumed Lily was asleep.

But a few steps later, he stopped.

There was a sound.

It wasn't the television. It wasn't music either. It was faint and muffled but distinct enough to be recognized. A low moan was coming from the bedroom.

Brian's body tensed.

The sound was too familiar to be mistaken. He knew it. He knew it. It was Lily's voice.

Brian's heart beat faster. His feet felt heavy as he approached.

Each step seemed to drag his own conviction. And between Lily's voice, there was another voice. A man's voice. Low. Choppy.

Brian's hands began to tremble.

He stood right in front of the bedroom door. It wasn't locked. It was just firmly closed.

With a gasp, Brian pushed the door open slowly.

The sight before him made his entire body freeze.

Lily was there. With someone Brian knew very well. Not a stranger. Not a random guy.

But Alex—his own friend. Someone he often hung out with, someone he'd sat at the same table with, laughed with, and shared stories with.

Brian froze.

All the voices in his head seemed to disappear. The world felt silent, even though the reality before him was so noisy.

Lily's face paled when she realized his presence. Alex looked shocked, trying to move, but it was too late.

In the next instant, Brian's anger exploded.

He stepped quickly and slammed into Alex's body without thinking. Punch after punch landed, filled with suppressed emotion. Alex fell, trying to hold on, but Brian was already losing his temper.

"You bastard! What are you doing?" Brian shouted, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and devastation.

Lily could only scream softly, unable to say anything. Her face was wet with tears, but to Brian, none of that mattered.

All that remained was the feeling of betrayal—by the two people she trusted most.

"I'll kill you!" Brian shouted angrily.

"Brian! STOP!"

It was Lily's voice that made Brian immediately stop his hand.

Lily glared at him while protecting Alex, who was lying naked on the floor.

"You..."

"I love Alex," Lily replied hoarsely and softly.

But it was a blow to Brian's pride. Lily didn't even apologize but instead confessed her feelings.