Date a Millionaire.

Episode 1

Betrayal Before "I Do" - CHAPTER 1

Helena's heart pounded as she ran her fingers over the delicate fabric of her wedding dress. Every detail had been lovingly planned. In a few hours, she would be walking down the aisle towards the man she loved. Or so she thought.

Anxiety wouldn't let her sleep, so she decided to leave the hotel and walk through the corridors to clear her head. Fate, cruel and relentless, guided her to a room whose door was ajar. Muffled laughter and whispers echoed from within.

Her body froze as she recognized the voices. Guilherme, her fiance, and Isabela, her best friend.

The shock kept her static for a moment, but a painful curiosity made her take a step forward. What she saw hit her like a stab to the chest: the two were naked, entwined in the sheets, completely oblivious to her presence. Isabela's laughter mingled with Guilherme's hoarse moans of pleasure.

A wave of anger and disgust burned in her gut. Her fists clenched, and her eyes stung with tears she refused to let fall. But Helena was not the type to back down. With the strength of someone whose heart had just been shattered, she pushed the door open forcefully.

The impact made the two separate with a start. Guilherme's eyes widened, and Isabela brought her hand to her mouth, speechless. Helena stared at them for a long moment, tasting the bitter taste of disappointment and humiliation.

"What a beautiful scene!" her voice came out laden with sarcasm and pain. "Since you're having so much fun, maybe I should cancel the ceremony and leave the wedding to you two."

Guilherme jumped out of bed, naked and desperate. "Helena, it's not what you think!"

She let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, no? Then explain to me what I just saw, because I'm curious."

Isabela, lacking the courage to face Helena, just pulled the sheet up to cover her body. "I'm sorry..."

"Sorry?!" Helena repeated, feeling anger take over. "You were my best friend, Isabela! I trusted you! And you, Guilherme..." her eyes turned to him, full of contempt, "you're a coward. I'm not going to waste another second of my life on you."

She tore the engagement ring from her finger and threw it on the floor. Then, with the dignity of someone who knew she deserved much better, she turned and left, leaving behind what would be the worst day of her life – or, perhaps, the best, because now she was free to start over.

As she walked through the hotel corridors, Helena felt adrenaline pulsing through her body. Her mind filled with memories: the moments she believed Guilherme's promises of love, the confidences shared with Isabela, all the times she ignored the small warning signs. But now everything made sense.

She left the hotel and took a deep breath of the cold night air. Her eyes shone with a mixture of anger and determination. She wouldn't go home with her head down, she wouldn't let that betrayal define her. On the contrary, she would use this pain as fuel to become stronger.

With a sigh, she took out her cell phone and called a taxi. She didn't know exactly where she wanted to go, but she knew the future was open before her. And for the first time in a long time, she felt truly free.