The Architect of His Own Downfall

Jense

d money and new power, cameras flashing, and the city' s elite hanging on his every word. For me,

t was a ba

ixed smile plastered on my face. My eyes scanned the r

a city official, looking unassuming in a simple black dress. But my gaze imme

s. The Hart

t was heavy, ornate, and it sat on her finger as if it

ed in my chest. He had lie

on the small of my back. "There you are. I was just

my smile never wavering. "Your campaign man

cond, I saw a flicker of panic in his eyes

' s a replica. I had a few made for top-level staff as a bonus for all their h

one waiting for you, you know that. The one that

plicity, that I was momentarily stunned into sile

Carter' s best friend. The one from the audio recording. His

ained a singl

'Cori S.' The profile picture was Corinne, smiling. The post was

t with my husband. He says the fake girlfriend will be gone soon, and he' ll buy

gift. A

e to Corinne. He was planning to discard me.

, it all faded into a dull roar. The blood pounded in my ears. I felt a hand on my

, not meeting my eyes. "I tried t

dead calm. I folded my hand over my ph

to the terrace. He was mid-laugh with the mayor

forward, my expression serene. "Cart

The cool night air was a we

e asked, his smil

one, showing hi

d, ruthless man from the recording. His face went rigid, his jaw tight w

y it. He simply stared at the phone, t

ever expected. He turned a

her face. Carter grabbed her by the a

he phone in her face. "What did I tell you abo

e' s eyes. "Carter, I... I was

turned her to face me, his grip on her arm unrelenting. "Apologiz

was stupid. I just... I admire Councilman Hart so much, and the repl

nal employee. The powerful, angry boss. The wronged,

a slight shove. She scu

g in an instant. The anger was gone, replaced by a look of

r-struck employee with a crush. You can' t let things like this

n, my body rigid, as his lips met mine

' m going home. I

and sympathy. "I' ll have the driver t

m the backseat, I watched my own apartment building.

the passenger do

sionate intensity that he hadn't shown me in years. I could se

were brilliant. She bought it completely. We' ll have o

startled me. "Ma' a

motion, as I watched the man I was supposed to mar