e from the bustling world outside. My world, however, was in chaos. As the gates o

ghtly, his face lined with concern. He always knew when s

ing red smudge on my cheek. I knew it was sti

gins," I replied, tryi

hase, there's something you should know. Mr. C

d. "What did he

ase. The couture gown you had custom-made for the

oven with threads of silver and moonlight, a masterpiece meant to symbolize our seven years of marriage, our shared journey to the pinnacle of New York so

st showed him the sketches, the way he' d

is gown, it' s like our love. Exquisite. Timeless.

Karma' s possession. He had given her my future. He had given her my dream.

we shared, everything we built, for a fleeting dalliance with an intern? The pain in my chest was a physic

was gentle, pulling me back f

smile. "Thank you, H

A maid, seeing me, rushed forward with a damp

tubbornly clung to my skin, a permanent

well-meaning and bewildered, were floo

h's office, with the "USDA PRIME" stamp emblazoned on my face, were circulating online. Karma h

pity. "Poor Avery, after all she did for h

y. "Avery, darling, are you okay? I just saw... that slut! How

ice eerily calm, though my hand

er the internet! Everyone's talking! T

int entering my eyes. "Let them celebra

ragged a struggling, terrified Karma Clements behind them. She had clearly been snatched directly from th

he shrieked, thrashing against their grip. She stumbl

hild!" she cried, her eyes wide with fear. "You're just a jealous

you know what the name Elliott means? It means I own this city. It

nce faltering. "You... you ca

venience. You chose greed. And you both chose to hum

fted stamp, a custom-made replica of "USDA PRIME," was brought forward.

scream tore from her throat as the stamp descended, once, twice, three times,

mained unmoved. The "USDA PRIME" marks spr

. "Don't worry, Karma," I said, my voice as cold as ice. "That's permanent. Ju

voice hoarse. "This isn't fair! You'

y face. "Fair? Darling, life isn't fa