No Longer A Placeholder: I Rise

ith a violence that made the crystal chandelier above rattle. The hushed, conspir

nt, burning with a hollow, agonizing pain. My gaze, sharp and unforgiving, impaled Keagan. He sat behind his imposing mahogany desk, his expression unreadable, a picture of chillin

ished marble floor. My voice, when it came, was a raw, guttural whisper, barely recognizable as my own.

knew what this was, Bella," he said, his voice flat, devoid of

" I echoed, the contempt dripping from every syllable. "I gave you

et, if I recall correctly." The accusation hung in the air, a poisoned dart. He was right.

me ago," I whispered, my

egant checkbook across the desk. "Consider this compensation for your... t

me for my love, for my life. He stood then, a tall, imposing figure, his movements signal

ng his wrist, my fingers digging into the hard muscle beneath his tailored sleeve. "No!" I c

f surprise, perhaps even a hint of regret. My mind reeled, replaying every tender moment, every shared laugh, every quiet intimacy. The

ced at the screen, and a subtle shift occurred in his demeanor. His eyes softened, a faint smile, almost i

"I'm sorry, Bella," he said, his voice softer now, but

ving me standing there, my hand still outstretched, the g

ng for something, anything, to brace myself. My fingers closed around a heavy crystal decanter. With a guttural cry that ripped from my

a vortex of destruction, a testament to the chaos within me. The business associate and Keagan's personal assistant, who had been frozen in

g. A hollow, desolate laugh escaped my lips, echoing in the shattered silence. It was a laugh devoid

y hands shaking. I hailed a passing taxi, my voice raspy as I gave the address. "Follow that car," I ordered, pointing to Keagan' s sleek, black sedan disappearing into the night.

othing, simply nodding and accelerating. Keagan's car was driving fast, almost reckl

ane at LAX, its headlights cutting through the pre-dawn gloom. My heart hammere