Betrayed Chapter 1 Analise's POV The text I received from Holden was as unexpected as it was unwelcome . I felt a tremor of fear at receiving it . I had a gut feeling that whatever was on the video he just sent was not something I wanted to see . [ Unknown number- Hey , it's Holden . I know you probably don't want to hear from me , Ana , as I see that I'm still blocked . But you really need to see this . Your fiancé was only too happy to publicly humiliate you . So , I felt I had to warn you . You don't deserve to be treated like this . I didn't want you to be caught by surprise . ] I know he won't be surprised that I left him on read . I didn't feel the need to reply to him . The problem is that Holden never exaggerates . He is always direct and painfully honest . I knew that firsthand . We had been friends since we were young . He is still my brother's best friend , but I'm no longer friends with him . I had a crush on him back when I was a teen , until he crushed my heart into a million pieces . So , I knew it was going to be bad before I even hit play . I just didn't know it was going to be this bad . The video started , and I saw that Roger was at our favorite Italian restaurant , Benvenuto . It's where we had our first date . It's where he proposed to me . It was a special place for us , or so I thought . I saw Roger sitting there facing the camera , with Sasha almost on his lap . Why is she so close to him ? Wait , why is she even there ? My stomach turns at the sight of them there together . It's Saturday night , and he knows that I'm always wiped by Saturday night . He usually goes out with his male friends to have a few drinks and relax . Well , at least that's what he's always told me each week . I didn't think Sasha was bold enough to interrupt them on their guy's n night out . I forgot she has no shame when it comes to Roger . " Congratulations to you both ," Dixon Chandler raised his glass to them . It was clear they hadn't just arrived there . The plates on the table were empty . The men were all intoxicated and enjoying their night . " It's about time you made an honest woman out of Sasha ." I paused the video and tried to calm myself down . What the hell was that supposed to mean ? I knew she was someone he had dated in high school , but she had left him years ago . He was broke back then , and she didn't want to be with him because of that . She never saw his value , but I did . I knew he was hungry to be a success . I saw the fire , the desire to be successful shining in his eyes . I thought that helping him achieve his goals would lead him to realize that I loved him . That I loved him for who he was , and not what he had . His family had an economy hotel chain , but they were not well received in high society . They hadn't earned a spot at the table , but they wanted one . They refused to give Roger money to fund his dreams , so I did . I knew that one day he would come to love and appreciate me for making his dream a reality . But it's been five years . now , and his mother still talks down to me . Like I am dirt under her shoes . His father has always been pleasant , but his two younger siblings have shown me nothing but contempt . I looked at her ring finger and saw that she is wearing not just an engagement ring , but also a wedding band . I can barely catch my breath ; he didn't . He wouldn't . We were to be married in three weeks . But somehow I already know he did . I didn't even know that she had returned , but this explains why he has been so busy that # 000 16 ODMOND ONO < < Betrayed I've barely seen him for weeks . I pressed play again and braced for the worst . Sasha blushed and continued her innocent act . She has had them wrapped around her finger for years . She always plays the victim , and somehow , I'm always the villain . They would be shocked to see her real face , as they have fallen for this act since high school . " Thank you , Dixon . You've always been one of our biggest supporters . " Now that stings . He works at the company Roger and I created . I provided three million dollars to get it off the ground . I brought the investors in to get it to where it is today . Roger always downplayed what I had done to get his company afloat to his friends and family . They all think that I'm just a clingy designer , but I'm actually the co - owner of the company . Dixon is our CFO , but he's never given me the respect I deserve . I watched as he continued to kiss up . "You know I'm on your side , Sasha . That stuck - up b *** h doesn't have anything on you . I don't know why Roger even agreed to marry her . In my opinion , Elizabeth is as unwanted as a boil . But she refuses to let Roger go . He doesn't even want to be with her , she forced him into proposing . I don't know what she's holding over your head , Roger , but you need to shake her loose as soon as you can , " Dixon replied . I gasped in shock at his words . He's talking about me like I have no business being with Roger . My middle name is Elizabeth , and that is what I've used to conceal my identity . My full name is Analise Elizabeth (Wade ) Caldwell , I took my mother's maiden name , Wade , to use for school . My family is one of the most t elite in the city . The Caldwell name holds a lot of weight around here . There aren't many of us , so it would be a red flag for me to have used Caldwell , I decided to go to school using Elizabeth Wade to protect myself . The schools I've attended were informed of who I was , so added security could be put in place for me . Always discreet , hovering in the background . All my diplomas held my given name on them . I did as my mother had done , and followed in her footsteps . She had hidden who she was until after she married my father . She hid her wealth to ensure that my father loved her for who she was , not for what she had . It was my grandparents ' idea . It helps cut out the ones who were just here looking to gain a wealthy wife . I was going to tell Roger who I was once we were married . I'm praying that he defends me , but I somehow doubt that will happen . My parents were always very careful of me . I had almost been abducted at ten , and after that , I went nowhere without protection . I have always dreamed of marrying someone who loves me , not my wealth . I've learned the lesson that I wasn't everyone's cup of tea , the hard way . When I met Roger , I allowed myself to believe I could finally be loved . He accepted me , or so I thought . Clearly , I was wrong . Dixon is Roger's best friend . They have been best friends since grade school . If anyone knew Roger well , it would be Dixon . How could Roger have lied to me like this ? I believed him when he told me he loved me . He said he owed me for helping him bring his dream to life . I didn't want him to be forced into marrying me , I suggested it , back when he asked me what I wanted in return . I didn't need the money back ; I had plenty of money . I had fallen in love with him the first time I met him . I have dreamed of Roger getting down on one knee and proposing for years . He could have told me no , instead of sneaking off and secretly marrying Sasha . " Guys , go easy on Elizebeth . I already feel bad enough taking Roger away from her . She won't be happy once she finds out . At the very least , you could refrain from talking about her . She is a gifted designer . Speaking of , Roger , are you sure Elizabeth will allow me to use her designs after I take over as the Director of Design ? I M NDE O NO ||| O < Betrayed want the staff to have faith in me . So I think it would be best for me to show up with some great designs in order for them to accept me , " Sasha said coquettishly . " Leave it to me , love . The day I introduce you as the new head of design , I will also announce my engagement to Elizabeth . She should be happy enough with that . She won't need to work anymore , and you can take over for her . She can stay home , while I get things shifted around so I don't lose out when she finds out what I've done . It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you've contributed to the company's success , Elizabeth will be able to get by on her company shares . But I'll need time to get everything in order , at least a year , so o you need to be patient ," Roger replied , tapping the end of Sasha's nose . ' t stop us from " As long as you don't sleep with her , I can be patient for two years , Roger . As long as she can't stop being together , " Sasha said with a pout . " Please , how could he ever desire her , Sasha ? Have you seen her ? She is not elegant or refined like you . She would only embarrass him . She bullied her way into getting Roger to propose . I don't know how she couldn't tell that he was embarrassed by her . He wouldn't stand next to her and never smiled for any of the pictures at their engagement party . She's completely delusional . But I don't know how you're going to be able to be married to two women at the same time , Roger . It's against the law . Elizabeth won't agree to it . She isn't going to fall for it , " Conner Hazell replied . He was Roger's other friend at the table . " I've already figured it out , Connor , " Roger stated coldly . " She doesn't need to know our marriage isn't real . Elizabeth shouldn't have forced my hand by insisting I marry her . She gets what she deserves for forcing me into it . Sasha is my true love , my first love , my first everything . She's the one I want . I acknowledge that Elizabeth helped me get my company up and running . I appreciate her faith in me and all her support . For that , I'm willing to let her be Mrs. Roger Cook to the public . Sasha doesn't want the bells and whistles . She just wants me . Now that she's carrying my child , I need to make her position solid . Elizabeth could have asked for anything , except my love . She knew that ; she brought this on herself , " Roger replied . Wait , Sasha is pregnant with his child ? How long has he been lying to me ? How far along is she ? The fury that I feel towards Roger and Sasha is something I haven't felt for a long time . I need to calm down so I can start making plans . I need to power through this video and finish it . Only then will I know what I need to do . The betrayal stings , but thankfully , my parents taught me well . " Roger's taking me to Paris for our honeymoon this week . So you can't spoil the surprise for Elizabeth , " Sasha said with a smile before the video ended . And just like that , I received my timeline . Time to get to work . KatVonBeck