Beyond The Betrayal: Her Rise

om the upstairs window as he loaded Katerina' s designer suitcases into th

ry box left intentionally on the porch railing. A marker.

hat evening, looking

he announced

then presented her with gifts he' d supposedly been accumulating for three years-a diamond necklace, a

ed to c

said. "There's a party tonight. I want you on my

, but she agreed. It was part of th

ked. Alexander was charming, attentive, the perfect husband making a grand comeback

e glanced at the screen,

s voice tight with annoyance. "I have to go

ek and disappeare

ective presence vanished, the atmosphere shifted

bothering to lower her voice. "T

technicality," another added.

oward the bar. But they followed he

," someon

er voice steady, but a tremor of

g in. "You got away with it, b

of a prison yard brawl flashed through her mind-the smell of sweat and fear, the dull

sneered. "Cowering li

ront of her dress, dripping onto the floor. The hum

ged for her, Alex

e of nature, his face a mask of thunde

ng her against his side. He glared at the stu

her will have to deal with me. And

by his power and wealth. Alexande

ey' s old reliance surfacing. For a si

ice cut throu

omised you'd

eri

d in a stunning red dress, her hand restin

trembling with manufactured hurt. "You said you

e. His entire

lab. The quick return. It was all another lie. He hadn't sent Katerina away. He had

locking with Alexander's. "Are you c

pull of his duty to the woman on his arm, an

creeping in, the dizziness, th

e. She let out a soft

ation, Alexander let go

, wa

f spilled champagne, the eyes of the entire pa

she was the pawn. That flicker of hope, of s

head held high, and took a cab

come home

ceiling, the last of Aubrey'

eard the front door ope

carrying a designer handbag, and

Katerina said, her voice dripping wi

elly. "The baby