The Architect of His Ruin

zzed almost

rom Liam

eccable. Yes, I'm in the c

were direc

in the hospital room still fee

lk you through the entire project architecture, incl

use before his

compelling one. My office, 10 a.m. tomorrow.

spine. Not of fear,

"I've never been mo

d. I just had to sur

l room later that afternoon,

s hum

head. I didn't lean into it. "Big night tonight. We're g

an. The doctor sai

ou're fine to be discharged. This is important

lly vibrating w

ept my fa

inking. "It's going to be a

idea how r

, the air crackled with f

custom tux, held my han

rop. A well-dre

g me from one conversation

his breath when my expression f

er the main course, Ethan dragge

us. My heart hamme

it. The "

ce booming. "Tonight is about new beginnings. Ab

onto the stage. My blood ran cold. It was a mango m

eyes shining with a tr

own on o

asp went throu

my rock, the heart of my company. I know we went our separate

x was a masterstroke of manip

s of photos, expertly edited to look damning. Me in a café, laughing with a key executive from Liam Sterling's company. A grainy security still of me

was a burning wave. Across the room, I saw Olivia, stan

cake, the photos, the public proposal. It wa

d straight off the stage, through the

The sound echoed in

owards us. His proposa

lled, scrambli

ers and rushed to Olivia's side. He stepped between us, shielding Oliv

at me, his voice dripping with venom. "Are y

e completely, fussing o

n. He put his arm around her, comforting her, and strode towards the exit, leaving me a

arted again, lo

that? He ju

. What a t

who he really

pain, no love, just the cold, hard certai

ed up my purse from our empty table, and hea

ife was