A Sweet Vengeance

ISABELLE

This is a nightmare.

It has to be.

The office is bustling with noise, but my world is as silent as a graveyard as I stare at the TV, watching the anchor's voice drone on.

"Renowned heir and millionaire, Andrew Cole is officially engaged to Evelyn Carter..."

I can't move, can't breathe, not when my whole world is combusting before my eyes.

What the hell is happening?

Trying to make sense of it, I blink, shake my head and look again.

The image on the screen is so clear. Andrew's arm wrapped around Evelyn, both of them smiling like they have just won a lottery.

The anchor's voice drifts in and out, but I can't focus on anything except the image.

I can't breathe.

This isn't happening.

This can't be bloody happening.

"Miss Reynolds?" a voice cuts through the fog in my mind. "What's going on?"

Jake Montero, my ever demanding boss whom I would normally not risk offending.

I don't bother to answer him now, though.

My mind is incapable of making sense of anything right now

"Miss Reynolds? I am talking to you.*

Again, I don't respond.

Instead, I rush to my feet, my chair crashing against the desk, but I don't care. I grab my bag, ignoring his confused call, and rush out of the office.

"There has to be some explanation for this," I mutter to myself. "They wouldn't, it doesn't... It has to be a lie. It has to be."

I'm not thinking straight, that was for sure.

I just couldn't wrap my head round the fact that I just got dumped and played.

My feet are moving before I even realize it, but I know where I'm headed. Our apartment. I can't let this be real. I need to see it with my own eyes.

The streets blur as I drive, but I don't care about the rain, the traffic. Nothing matters except reaching Evelyn and Andrew. They have to explain themselves.

By the time I pull up to the apartment I share with Evelyn, my heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might burst out of my chest.

I don't even bother with the umbrella, allowing the rain to drench me as I rush to the door.

The moment I step inside, the sight I see stops me dead.

Andrew is here.

He isn't supposed to be here

Hw is supposed to be in france.

Studying for his business degree.

But here he is

Sitting on our couch.

His arm draped lazily over Evelyn's shoulders, both of them laughing like they don't have a care in the world.

I slam the door shut, the sound echoing like a gunshot and they look up instantly and instead of guilt or surprise, there's amusement in their eyes.

"Well, look who finally showed up," Evelyn drawls, her lips curling into a smug smile.

"What the hell is this?" My voice cracks, but I don't care. I'm too angry, too confused, too hurt.

Andrew leans back, his expression cold. "It's exactly what it looks like, Isabella. Don't make this harder on yourself."

"Harder on myself?" I step forward, the rage bubbling up inside me.

"You're engaged? To her? My best friend? My roommate?"

Evelyn stands up, crossing her arms. "Oh, please, Isabella. Don't act so shocked. You had to know this was coming."

I look at her, my chest heaving. "You're my best friend, Evelyn. How could I know this was coming?! How could you do this to me?"

She laughs, the sound sharp and mocking.

"Best friend? Let's not kid ourselves, Belle. You were a convenience. A charity case. Do you really think someone like me would stick around someone like you for friendship?"

Her words hit me like a slap. I turn to Andrew, desperate for some kind of explanation. "And you? What's your excuse?"

He shrugs, his gaze bored.

"There's no excuse, Belle, Evelyn's right. You're not who you used to be. You've fallen so far, and frankly, I don't see a future with you anymore."

I stumble back, shaking my head. "You don't see a future with me? After everything we've been through? After everything I've done for you?"

Andrew stands, his towering frame making me feel small. "You're a bankrupt, destitute orphan, Isabella. You've got nothing to offer me anymore. Evelyn, on the other hand..." He looks at her, his eyes dark with something that makes my stomach turn. "She understands what I need. She's not holding me back."

I feel like the air has been sucked out of the room. My heart shatters into pieces that I can't even begin to pick up. "You're disgusting," I whisper, my voice trembling.

He steps closer, his tone mocking. "Face it, love, You're nothing now. No money, no power, no family. You're just a washed-up shell of the girl I used to know."

"Get out of my apartment!" I scream, my voice raw.

Evelyn smirks. "Your apartment? Sweetheart, you seem to forget which one of us is paying the bulk of this place. A word of advice, you should start packing your things."

Her words are the final blow. I can't take it anymore. Tears stream down my face as I turn and bolt out the door, the rain soaking me within seconds.

I don't know where I'm going. I just know I need to get away.

I climb into my car, my hands shaking as I grip the steering wheel as the rain lashes against the windshield, and my vision is blurred from the tears spilling down my cheeks.

The words echo in my mind: You're nothing now. A bankrupt, destitute orphan.

I slam my foot on the gas, my breathing ragged. The streets blur as I drive, my emotions a chaotic mess of anger, pain, and betrayal.

Even as the rain gets heavier, and the road ahead becomes a smear of lights and shadows I still try to focus, but it's too much.

Then, out of nowhere.....headlights.

I don't even have time to react. The sound of screeching tires fills my ears, followed by the deafening crash of metal on metal.

And everything goes black.