Faked Death, True Revenge Begins

eir, Alden Stone. He gave me a single red rose every month, a

he woman he was obsessed with. He didn't just break my heart; he stole my life's wo

ing her supposed gen

abriella is pregnant. If you try to expose her, I

predatory smile, flaunting a diamond

acrificed for his obsession. He had play

to go viral, and sailed his yacht straight into a storm. The world w

pte

lynn

e coordinates for the deep-water drop-off. My hands, usually steady as a su

ast few hours of my old life. Soon, I would be free. Soon, Katel

new beginning, a life where my worth wasn't tied to a man who saw me as a conv

cologne drifted in. It was a familiar smell, once comforting,

ways was. He walked over, his arm sliding around my waist, pulling me clos

t see the hollowness in my eyes. "Just admiring the view befor

hip. "Thinking about our anniversary dinner tonight?

tasting like ash. My heart didn't flut

it just felt like a performance. He ran a hand through my hair, a h

epping back slightly and holding out a l

a Gabriella rose. He always said they were my favorite, a delicate scarle

heir to Sterling Corporation, devoted to his brilliant but unassuming bio

years, I had believed his excuses, his vague promises of marriage, of a future.

erable, unofficial position, a convenient accessory, never a true partner. I used

rotecting his lifelong obsession with Gabriella Butler. My heart didn't j

lie. My love for him, my belief in us, it was all a delusion I' d clung to, a dream that turned

special, Katelynn. Our five-year anniversary. Just you and me."

nth for five years. Always these particular roses. Always the same, deep, r

. The scent of the rose, once sweet, now choked me.

mething I'd picked up idly months ago, and there it was, an article about rare and exotic blooms. A full-page spread dedicated to the

hadn't been giving me a symbol of his love. He'd been giving me a constant, subtle reminde

s never real. It w

He' d pulled me close, kissed my forehead, looked into my eyes with that practiced charm. "Soon

polished lie he' d deliv

palm. The pain was dull compared to the ache in my chest. H

sary dinner, his voice a droning sound against the roar in my ears. I nodde

arkening horizon. This was the night I stopped bei