His Deception, Her Destiny In London

ay the word." The voice on the phone was calm, deep, and familiar. It

treatment that could save him required a fifty-thousand-dollar deposit she didn' t have. Her savings were gone, and he

Brett burst through the doors, cradling Daniella Chen, who was wailin

here? This is all part of the plan. I' m making her think she' s won." He stuffed

fall to the floor. He was so good at lying, at performing. He didn' t s

inty that was both terrifying and lib

pte

ng for you for three years,

ound from a lifetime ago. Evan Mcknight. Her graduate

y think I' m crazy for keeping a senior partner spot

against the cool, sterile wall

t," she said,

g up th

heavy, broken only by the dista

pers. Kelsey, her younger brother,

thousand-dollar deposit. She didn' t have it. Her savings were gone, s

s a success. But her share of the profits was untouchable. Brett had locked her out

ll thought she was living a perfect life in New York City with h

ed. Friends she hadn't spoken to in years didn't pick up the

atek Philippe. A gift from Brett on their fifth anniversary. H

safety net. Now, it was just a remin

sand dollars. It was a cruel joke. Enough for a few more weeks of po

k a deep breath, ready to find a

ed at the end of the hall. A man burst thro

ld. It was Brett. And

ing, shattered as it hit the polished linoleum floor.

a, who was wailing dramatically about her sprained ankle. He crad

on," a woman sitting nearby muttered to her husband.

broken phone, hiding her face. She could

a nurse, spotted her. His face changed. He strode over an

here?" he hissed, hi

ting toward the hallway. "I told you, this is all p

ed out a few bills, stuffing them i

she sees you. This will rui

bills in her palm. He thought she w

ing in the same hospital where her brother was dying

ed her hand and let the five hu

usion crossing his face. He was used to

e manipulative tone he used when he wanted something. "Just a little

future. It all felt like a st

ready been carved out. The part that could feel hope was with Kel

co-founded. The man she loved. Her family

ow, K

Brett she loved didn' t exist

nurse peeked in. "Excuse me, are you

He glanced back at Ela

mooth and charming again. "Yes, th

at this. Lyin

the hall, a shrill, demanding

ers. "Go home. I' ll call you

, to accept his story, to be the good,

tared back at him

idn't see the grief. He only saw a

of the closet, his footsteps ech

dim light, the smell of an

pick up the money, but to wip

th a certainty that was bot

me to go