The Lie My Fiancé Created

a brutal attack-secretly orchestrated by my own sister, Kenisha-shattered my hand

ed; I was "Asset: FB-01." A walking collection of prime organ

g that he'd "get that thing out" of me himself if I compromised his investment. He l

the washing machine. "You hurt my Kenisha," he roared. "Now yo

ock being fattened for slaughter, and my hands-the ones h

nd buried my cat. Then I packed a single bag, booked a flight to London, a

pte

Boot

ave me killed on a Tuesday, using his la

ions and a link to a Forbes article he was featured in. The title was discreet: "

ngs money wasn't supposed to be able to buy. My blood ran cold before I even understood what I was

it. "Asse

niti

d taken a few weeks ago, while I was asleep on the sofa, a sliver of sunlight war

o, the text was

ed, low-stress environment for the past three years to ensure optimal organ viability. Primary asset of interest: Heart.

he held and called

It was a conversation between Daryl and a user named "K." My s

is being arranged. Just

r, D. Does she have any idea she's ju

ior. It' s almost poetic. The heart she uses to l

r. My chronically ill, perpetually fragile little sister, who the world adored. Daryl, the man who had pulled m

k alley behind my college music hall. The smell of stale beer and rain-soaked concrete filled my nose. Bradley Spen

he'd slurred, his face a mask of cruel satisfacti

bones in my right hand. The pain was blinding, but the image seared into my memory was

l Chavez's calm, reassuring face. He was a visiting tech mogul, a guest lecturer at the university. He said he' d found me, t

he truth. He wasn't saving me. He was preserving me. Like

o violently I could barely control them. I crawled back to the laptop

er, lived there. Her son, Jakob Mendoza, was my cousin. We hadn' t been close in years, but he was my

lew across t

Family Matter -

ko

ange a marriage for me. I need to get out of the country. I was hoping... maybe you and I could e

I could think of that sounded both urgent and vaguely p

e back almo

s is sudden. Of course, I'll help you. B

forcing a semblance o

omplicated. I just need

ssistant will book you a flight. It will be under your

. The irony was a bit

hank you. I o

walked in, a perfect smile on his handsome face. He dropped h

You okay? Y

smile. "J

enisha is coming over for dinner. She's been feeling a bit down. I was hoping y

I had learned to ignore. He loved her. It was so obvious now. His care for me, his protect

ng tonight," I said, my

ne." He reached for me, his hand closing around my arm. It

arm away. The small act o

grabbed me again, his fingers digging into my fl

monstrous betrayal in his perfect face. Do you know what they call selfish, Da

uth burning a hole in my throat.

ing back into a mask of gentle persuasion. "Look, baby, I'm sorry. I'm ju

. Now I understood. She was different because she was the one he loved. She was the

ir perfect little love st