The once-celebrated heiress of North City, Cordy Sachs, was about to marry despite her tarnished reputation, the whispers of her past debauchery still echoing through high society. It was a scandal that stirred the elite, who were left gossiping relentlessly the moment the engagement was made public.
Clad in a wedding dress from the prestigious Franconia designer, Cordy stood before the mirror, captivated by the reflection of her radiant face. After three years of being with Kyle Wickham, they were finally taking this step. Despite all the slander, he still loved her. The thought brought tears to her eyes, and her lips curved into a smile as she tilted her chin up, lifting the skirt of her gown and preparing to leave the washroom.
But then, something unusual caught her attention—the faint but unmistakable smell of smoke creeping into the room. Her heart sank. A fire?
Pinching her nose, Cordy stepped out, her gaze falling on the once-bustling banquet hall. Now, it was eerily quiet, consumed by thick, curling smoke and flames that seemed to be devouring everything in their path. Fear clawed at her chest as she quickly moved toward the exit, but even as she moved, the smoke and fire were a constant threat—terrifying and unforgiving.
Suddenly, a figure burst into the hall. It was Kyle, her fiancé.
“Kyle! I’m here!” Cordy called out, her voice choked with smoke as she struggled to catch her breath.
But Kyle didn’t respond. His eyes darted around in panic, searching for something, or rather, someone. He paused, seemingly finding what he was looking for. Without hesitation, he rushed away from Cordy, running in the opposite direction, toward another woman trapped in the chaos.
Cordy’s chest tightened as she heard the other woman’s voice, weak yet tender, “I knew you’d come for me, Kyle… I was so scared…”
The voice was unmistakable—Noel Sachs, Cordy’s stepsister. And there he was, Kyle, rushing to save her. It was as if Cordy didn’t matter at all.
A rush of agony filled Cordy’s chest, sharper than any physical pain. Her vision blurred, and the weight of betrayal was almost suffocating. Kyle, the man she thought she would marry, had chosen Noel over her, in this very moment of peril.
Suddenly, the glass chandelier overhead crashed to the floor with a deafening clang, shattering in front of Cordy and blocking her escape route. She dropped to the ground, unable to move, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
Through the smoke, she saw Kyle—he turned around and saw her falling behind him. But he didn’t stop. He kept running, Noel in his arms, leaving Cordy to face the fire alone.
A searing heat surrounded her, but deep inside, she felt nothing but cold. She could only watch as Kyle’s figure disappeared with Noel, the woman who had stolen everything from her. Her heart shattered as the fire closed in around her, and the world turned black.
Miraculously, Cordy survived. The firefighters arrived just in time, pulling her from the wreckage. She had inhaled too much smoke and sustained injuries to her right leg. Unconscious, they rushed her to the hospital.
When she finally awoke, it was the morning after the fire. The soft breeze of early summer drifted through the air, and the sunlight gently kissed her pale skin. She opened her eyes, staring at the blue sky, her face emotionless.
In the hospital room, her father, stepmother, and Noel stood around her. The air was thick with tension, and Noel was the first to speak, her voice trembling with false concern. “Are you alright, Cordy?”
Cordy’s gaze hardened. She couldn’t even look at Noel. All she could think about was Kyle, saving Noel instead of her, leaving her to die alone.
Her father, Simon Sachs, broke the silence with a sharp reprimand. “Why are you acting like this? Can’t you see that your sister cares about you?” His tone was harsh, but it wasn’t the real issue.
Sue, her stepmother, quickly intervened, sensing the growing conflict. “Simon, Cordy’s just in shock. Let’s focus on the important matters.”
Simon didn’t miss a beat. “You know by now that Kyle loves Noel. It’s a blessing that the wedding was disrupted. It’s time to call off the engagement. Announce the annulment.”
Cordy’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Why?” she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.
“Because they love each other,” Simon said, matter-of-factly. “Your reputation has already tainted our family name. Everyone knows about your past. The Jessops will never accept you. This is your chance to save face, so take it.”
The mention of her past—the child she had lost, the lies Noel had spread—hit Cordy like a physical blow. Her heart wrenched, but she forced herself to speak. “You think my past is the problem? You married your mistress while my mother’s body was still warm, and your child with her is just six months younger than me. Don’t lecture me about dragging our name through the mud when you’ve done it yourself.”
Simon’s face flushed with anger, and Noel and Sue exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Not willing to engage with her family any further, Cordy snapped, “If Kyle really wants to break up with me, he can do it himself. Don’t come here to make decisions for me. Get out, or I’ll call the cops.”
Simon was infuriated, but Cordy stood her ground. He knew she wasn’t the same person she was seven years ago, meek and easily controlled. She was stronger now.
“You’re testing my patience, Cordy!” Simon growled.
Cordy scoffed at his threats. “Try me.”
As her father, stepmother, and Noel left the room, Cordy felt a flicker of satisfaction. She wasn’t that broken girl anymore. From now on, no one would walk over her again.
Just as she thought she was alone, a small voice reached her ears, cutting through the tension. “Mommy?”
