VOWS OF VENGEANCE

Betrayal and Alliances

“Fine. I will do it,” Ethan said after thinking about it. “That is the spirit,” Miranda said with a wide grin. “Don't worry; I have you. All I need you to do is just make his world crumble. I need him to regret ever double-crossing me,” Miranda said with a wide grin. 

“ Like I said earlier, what is in it for me?” Ethan asked again. “ What do you want? I know you have been badly hurt. Is it revenge you seek? Or perhaps, money,wealth?” Miranda stared at his face. “ I want both.” Ethan replied sharply. 

“ Fine, you can have all of it as long as you help me take them down.” She looked at him as she drank the whiskey in front of her. “ Don't you think you need to share your last with me. I told you mine.” Miranda looked at Ethan's face. 

“ Well, I was wallowing in debt.” Ethan said gently and paused. “ I could start with that, pay off everything. Just a phone call and all of them are sorted out.” 

“ I don't think there is a need for that anymore. She made sure I didn't have a home to return to.” Ethan said sadly. “ She trapped me by signing a marriage document with an agreement of paying off my debt after a year. I should have known it was a lie.” Ethan said in anger as he clenched his fist in anger. “ I was humiliated, the seven days used in her home felt like hell.” 

Miranda coughed, “ She? You kept calling her she, you never told me her name.” 

“ Cassandra.” Ethan finally breaks the spell by calling her name. “ Paige?” Miranda looked at his face before her phone rang. She looked at who the caller was and was surprised to see that it was her friend Casandara. 

Both of them had been childhood friends. Miranda looked at Ethan and wondered where they had met. “Can you give me a second?” She looked at his face. “I really need to pick this call.” 

Miranda stepped out of the room, her heels echoing against the marble floor as she made her way to a more quiet room. She hesitated for a brief moment before answering, her voice calm and composed.

"Cassandra," she said, leaning against the wall. "It's been a while."

"Too long, Miranda," Cassandra's voice chimed through the phone, a mixture of fake warmth and subtle arrogance. "I was just thinking about our old times and thought I’d check in. How have you been?"

Miranda smirked, knowing Cassandra’s friendly tone was likely masking an ulterior motive. "Oh, you know me, always busy. What about you? Still climbing your way to the top?"

Cassandra laughed, her tone dripping with self-satisfaction. "Actually, I’m planning the biggest wedding this town has ever seen. Thought you’d like to know—I’m getting married to Williams."

Miranda froze, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. Williams... Cassandra’s fiancé? Ethan’s ex-wife? Her grip on the phone tightened as she glanced back toward the room where Ethan was resting. "Congratulations," she said, forcing her voice to remain steady. "You’ve always been good at getting what you want."

"Of course," Cassandra replied smugly. "But there’s one little loose end I need to tie up before I can walk down the aisle."

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what would that be?"

"Ethan," Cassandra said, her voice turning colder. "I need to hand him the divorce papers.” 

“ You didn't tell me you were married before.” Miranda said accusingly. “ I don't see any need to tell you that. I didn't because it was not important. Ethan was just a means to an end. I got what I needed and I am now discarding him. He was never up to my standard anyways. I hope you understand me?”

Miranda’s jaw clenched, her mind racing. "Of course," she replied smoothly. “ Why are you telling me all of this?” 

“ Because I want you to be my chief bridesmaid.” Cassandra’s voice at the end of the call. 

Miranda smiled, just the opportunity she had been waiting for. Williams thought she was dead but he was going to show him she was not and she was ready to exert her revenge on him. 

“ I will be honoured and as for Ethan, I think I can help you find him.” Miranda replied. “ I would be grateful. I want him to be found as soon as possible.” Cassandra said with an authoritative tone.

Miranda ended the call, her heart pounding as a sly smile curled on her lips. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before walking back to Ethan, who was still seated, his posture tense and his face showed he was angry. 

"Who was it?" Ethan asked, his voice sharp, his gaze fixed on Miranda.

Miranda leaned casually against the table, crossing her arms. "Cassandra," she said, her tone casual but laced with an edge.

Ethan stiffened. "What does she want now? Does she know I am here? You never told me she was your friend! Is all of this a setup?” He stood up abruptly, staring at Miranda's face. 

“You need to calm down, Ethan. I didn't know all of this until you told me. I think fate brought us together for a reason.” Miranda finally said.

"She’s planning a grand wedding," Miranda looked at his face, watching Ethan’s reaction closely. "And she wants to tie up some 'loose ends' before her big day."

Ethan’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening. "Loose ends? That’s what she calls me?"

Miranda nodded, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "She also asked me to be her chief bridesmaid."

Ethan blinked, confusion flashing across his face. "You? Why would she—"

Miranda interrupted, a smirk playing on her lips. "We’re old friends. She doesn’t know about you and me meeting... yet. She probably thinks I’m still the perfect ally for her schemes."

Ethan exhaled sharply. "She’s unbelievable."

"Unbelievable, yes. But also predictable," Miranda said, her voice turning serious. "This is our chance, Ethan. If I’m at her side, I can gather everything we need to take her and Williams down. But I’ll need your help to make this work."

Ethan stared at her, the weight of the situation sinking in. "You’re sure about this? Getting close to her like that... it could backfire."

Miranda stepped closer, her voice firm. "I’ve waited years for this moment, Ethan. Williams left me for dead, and Cassandra? She’s just as guilty. I’m not letting this opportunity slip away."

Ethan studied her for a moment, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Finally, he nodded. "Alright," he said. "Let’s do it. But if we’re going after them, we do it my way too. No shortcuts."

Miranda extended her hand, her expression resolute. "Deal."