The Betrayal Within (revenge)

of her throat. Her eyes were swollen and red, tears clinging to her las

if to keep from breaking apart. "You took everything I had... and left me with nothing." Her

remained cold, as though she were a stranger

d as your husband, I have the right to be in charge o

ssion. "Wh-what?" she stammered, shaking her head slowly. "What d

t," he replied coolly. "The properties now belongs to me." His gaze hardened as he looked dow

replaced with disbelief. "You're my husband, Lucas, not my savior. Those

e said bluntly. "And I'm your husband." He stepped closer, his voice lowering slightly, carrying an

hest. Her voice rose, her words laced with desperation. "This isn't right. You can't ju

u're just a means to an end, Olivia. A way for me to secure wh

true nature revealed itself. Her eyes widened in

h rage. "You used me, manipulated me, and now you're t

usinessman, Olivia. And in business, you do what it takes to succeed. You sho

d into fists. "Take care of me? You're not taking care of me, you're suffo

atic, Olivia. It's not becoming. You should calm down and accept your f

are still the manager of the company, and your best friend Maddie

u think keeping me as a figurehead in the company makes everything okay? You think I

ulating. "We'll see about that,

verything from me. You're a master manipulator, Lucas. But you won't get away wi

arning. "You're making empty threats, Olivia. You have no power here. I'm the on

anger. "I'll never forget, Lucas. I'll never forget wha

pain inside those walls. Her heels struck the driveway sharply as she crossed it. when she r

and her breaths came in shallow gasps as tears finally broke free. She g

rsely, her voice cracking in the empty's car. "

her. Maddie's name fla

r fingers trembling. "Maddie..." Her voice broke t

with concern. "Where are you? What

mansion. Maddie... he took everything. The properties... my parents' prope

med. "That man has lo

be GRATEFUL he's taking care of me. He said i should remember my place." He

d firmly. "That's control.

indshield looked unfamiliar-eyes swollen, lips trembling, a woman barely holding herself togethe

before Maddie spoke again, softer th

solve slowly replaced despair. "I want this to end," she said quietly. "Once and

e police... it might make things messy. Maybe you could

ie, he's manipulating me. He's controlling my life, my finances-everything. This isn't something

u're right. I didn't mean it like that." She paused. "If this is what

easing. "Thank you," she murmured. "I don't know what l'd do wit

my darling," Madd

Call me the moment y

" Olivia

riveway. The road ahead blurred slightly through her tear-filled eyes, but she forced he

ngine the only sound filling the car. Then, without warning, a

brakes. The car screeched to a halt, her

whispered, panic

fear. The engine idled loudly in the tense silence. Swallowing hard, Olivia

the hell would you block my path?" sh

nts swift and calculated. One of them approached her, a cloth in hand, and covered