His Cruel Game, Her Perfect Escape

n Andr

spital, the flimsy gown scratching against my skin under my clothes. I didn't go home. I went straight t

playing t

smell of old paper and stale coffee hanging in the ai

ame into her computer. She frowned. "Jillian Andrews and Alex B

onfusion tightening in my gut. "We recon

she said, turning the screen toward me. "But there's no re

that day. Alex, smiling, sliding a crisp document across his desk for me t

ty. "Ma'am, sometimes... people don't file

ate certificate Alex had given me, the one I had fra

'm sorry, Ms. Andrews," she said gently. "This is a

just a game. It wasn't just a prank. My entire reconciliation, the foundation of the last year of my life, was a lie.

alligraphy suddenly looking like a cruel mockery. My finge

my lips. "Of course," I whisper

w, I had never been his again. The realization was both devastating and stra

building and into the harsh su

ing, pacing the living room floor. He rushed ov

was worried sick!" he exclaimed,

him. "I need

d his expression, taking my hand. "Look, I feel terrible about what happened. Let me make it up to you. The annual Found

alk out that door forever. But the plan. The red

tightened, a subtle show of force. "We're goin

Burgess, a triumphant smirk on her face. She was wearing a breathtaking sapphire necklace-the Bra

e too quickly. "My grandmother insisted. It's jus

him on the lie. I was ti

of diamond earrings for me, showering me with public affection. I could feel the enviou

an to crawl up my spine. Thi

a magnificent, flawless blue diamond necklace that made even the Brad

oss the room, raise

t, his voice ringing with confidence. He turned to me and winked, a

rlotte's face tighte

Alex said, witho

uld casually drop a fortune for her. I felt like an insect under a microscope, my skin cra

It was

falling with a deafening crack. "To Mr.

applause of the room washing over us

d arrange the payment. He squeez

of the ballroom and disapp

er cam

manager approached our table. "Mrs. Bradley?

dling it," I said,

nutes ago, ma'am," he said, his tone dr

of me. The number seemed

ling Alex. The call went straight t

The manager's face hardened. "Ma'am, if you cannot

past year, under the guise of "joint investments." I had nothing. Nothing except the small portfo

rembling as I took off the pearl earrings my grandmother had gi

l over social media before I even made it out the do

s and cruel comments. The cold night air bit at my bare arms, but I couldn't feel it. I couldn't feel anything but the crushing weight of a humiliation