His Sacrifice, Her Cold Indifference

to her, my fingers flying across the screen. "I'm done. D-O-N-E." I was out, truly out. M

forgive him?" she asked, her

re' s no forgiveness for that. I loved him. I loved him with everything I had. But I also know how to w

d him for a moment, a strange mixture of pity and contempt swirling within me. He looked vulnerable, almost human. But the image of him choosing Julia, o

clusive charity gala in the city, an event Drake would typically dominate. It was a declaration of war, a public statement of my freedom. I walked in, my head hel

oths to a flame. Their compliments, their eager conversation, were a balm to my wounded ego

I saw

rm brewing in their depths. The crowd of men around me seemed to shrink under his gaze. He hated it. He hated seeing me laugh, seein

nd ethereal in a flowing white dress, her arm linked with Drake's father, Fred. She sm

something akin to longing, crossing his face. Then, he whispered something to Fred, who nodded gravely, and Drake bega

uching her arm. She smiled up at him, a tearful, grateful smile. They looked like a couple reunited, a tragic

f the evening's main event: a competitive fencing match. The grand prize

e? The one we always talked about finding together? You said it would be the perfect centerpiece for o

Our future home. She was audacious, manipulative. I felt a surge of ad

rd, startling the men around me. My voice

, his eyes wide with alarm. He started towards me, his voice low

y face. "I'm perfectly capable. Or are you afraid I'll win? And then who would get the 'prize' for

g for mine, his concern, for once, feeling genuine. Or mayb

l. "You forget, I'm the one who drove a convertible into a reflecting pool. A little fe

in my hand. I had always been good at this, a childhood hobby my father had encouraged. My opponents

shadow, outside of Julia's manipulative games. With each lunge, each parry, each calculated thrust, I felt a

ent, a hulking man twice my size, fell to my b

ue goddess!" Their attention, their genuine awe, was intoxicating. It was a stark contrast to the suffocating possessiveness of Drake,

through the adulation.

sity. He didn't ask. He commanded. The men around me, intimidated by his overwhelming presence, slowly

y. "Thank you all," I said, addressing the remaining

d clamping down on my uninjured arm. "I

ith you," I hissed, yanking my arm a

My earlier wound had reopened slightly. His expression softened, a flicker of something akin to worry in his gaze. He produce

mth, of familiarity, stirred within me. This was the Drake who had protected me from the car cra

smissal, flooded my mind. It was a charade. A performance. His

ld and hard. "Your concern never lasts, Drake. It's always temporary." I turned and walked away, my bac

splashing cold water on my face. My reflection stared back at me, fierce and defiant, but with a lingering vulnerability in my eyes. I

narrowed, her delicate features twisted into a sneer. "So, you won," she hissed, her voice

irror. "Julia, please. I'm not

a trophy, flaunting your temporary victory. You think you're so sp

my voice dangerously calm. "And you lost. That vase? It's mine. The title of Mrs. Knox? Al

aking a step closer. "But you're just a spo

sperate woman clawing at the past. A faded memory trying to make herself r

. "You little bitch!" she shrieked, lunging at

hed Chelsie Miller without consequences. I grabbed her wrists, twisting them, and with a swift, p

" I said, my voice low and dangerous. "I don't play games. And I certainly don't tol

scrambling to her feet, her eyes narrowed. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. Drake will make you regret this. He'll make you pay." She backed away, her movements agitated, frantic