The Inferno Of His Betrayal

or me in front of hundreds of cameras. But as he held my hand, I knew the truth: he'd b

ce on stage, the party descended int

me aside and ran to save Krystal from a falling light fi

to die in the in

s back turned to me as the fire consu

lammed into me, pulling me from the flames. It was my

concern was the damage to his company's stock. "You're fine, are

ent the woman wh

on. But on one condition." I activated a hidden clause in our contract, one he'd dismi

pte

Yate

, declaring his undying love for me, while my heart, a wi

d tightly. His grip was almost possessive, a performance for the hundreds of cameras flashing around

art sound system. His smile was dazzling, practiced, and utterly devoid of warmth. "

Everything? The words tasted like ash. I knew the truth. I had known for weeks. The photos from the private ski reso

crowd, her emerald green gown shimmering under the chandeliers. She wore a small, knowing smile, a subtle h

s to my forehead. It was a gesture of ownership, not affection. He whispered

agreement to his terms a carefully constructed trap. I would play my part,

mbly, "Elise has a special announcement for us all. Don't y

dispel the rumors. He expected me to gush about our perfect

turmoil raging within. "Thank you, August. Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate with us." I paused, my gaz

d an incredible journey together. Ten years is a long time." A murm

for eternal happiness with him. His hand rested on the small of m

y become the woman I was always meant to be." I looked directly into the camera, a ghost of a smile playin

d from my back as if I had burned him. His face, usually so composed, contorted with shock and fury. The cameras kept flash

or her venomous gossip, stepped forward, a triumphant smirk on her face. "Always making a scene. It's a shame you couldn't keep your rich husband happy." A

... overwhelmed tonight," he said, his voice strained. "She's always been a bit theatrical." He forced a laugh, a hollow sound that didn't reach his e

nd unwavering. "There's nothing to

breath, his lips barely moving. "You think you

s composure slightly, tinged with a weariness that wen

sted something inside me. "You have not

a second, care about my feelings. It was a painful echo, because Ava used to care for me just like that

he worl

elaborate floral arrangements, growing rapidly. Panic rippled through the crowd, quickly escal

er, didn't land on me. They darted past my shoulder, locking onto Krystal Watts, who was no

ected at me in years. He didn't hesitate. He simply let go of my arm, pushing me s

and ballroom, moments ago a beacon of opulence, was rapidly transforming into a fiery inferno. My lungs burned from the smoke, my eyes stung. I tried to move, but

ing my throat. I was alone. Abandoned. The realization hit me like a physical blow, heavier than the burning debris

phony. He was already cradling a slightly injured Krystal, his bac

ittering shards rained down, followed by the heavy, ornate

the chandelier. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me away from the falling debris, away from the immediate pat

brother, Cass Yates, a man I hadn't seen in yea

shielding me with his broad back, pushing through the smoke and flames like a force of nature. His movements

re engines screamed in the distance, their sirens growing louder. Cass rele

as rough, laced with an urgency I

." I looked back at the burning building, then at the ambulance lights flashing nearby, where a p

y gaze. His jaw was tight, a muscle twitching in his temple. "He l

yes, not from the smoke, but from the brutal

and smoke inhalation. Cass stood guard, his pre

m bandaged, was at his side, her tears seeming more for show than genuine anguish. August didn't ask

larity in my mind was absolute. "Damage, A

day. 'Tech CEO's wife announces divorce at birthday party amidst affair rumors, th

augh escaping my lips. "Not your wi

as actually hurt. A serious burn. She's fragile, Elise. You alw

ki resort, August. For ten years, she's been with you. While I was

e. "Don't pretend you didn't know the score. You married

y voice trembling now with barely suppressed rage. "I gave up everything for you. My family,

le stunt of yours... it could ruin everything. For both of us." He gestured vaguely to Krystal, who

sacrificed for, was gone. Or perhaps, he had never existed. He was a ruthless businessman, a man

sked, my voice chillingly calm. "To issue a stat

l things blow over. You know how these things go." He even had the audacity to o

as still the naive girl who would do anything for him.

e to myself. "I'll do it. I'll make a statemen

a flicker of suspicion in

uted. And I want the clause in our joint venture contract activated." The clause I had cleverly, quietly, slipped in years ago, a safety net I had

insurance policy" when we'd first drafted it, never imagining I'd actually use it. He had

he murmured, his face cont

gaze unwavering. "No, August. J

Krystal trailing behind him, casting a triumphant, yet wary, glance back at m

. Ten years. Gone. But a new beginning had just ignited in the ashes of the old. I had played my final card, and the game was far from over. I knew August wo