The CEO's Betrayal: My Escape

om me. He stood on stage with his assistant, Bella, giving her the credit and the massive commi

gagement to his wealthy father, calling her a go

ys." But on Instagram, I saw the truth: a selfie of hi

amed picture of us from our trip to Santorini. The viol

ive immediately, and booked a one-way tick

pte

ssa

it solidified into a burning acid in my throat the moment I saw him. Ethan Morga

iphery of the bustling conferen

ed to be my mom

o, draped in a shimmering dre

all of her back. His CEO smile, usually reserved for invest

eir shared triumph. A

ation chilling my palm. This wasn't even real champ

He used to k

t grated on my nerves. She leaned into

low, intimate moveme

shared between

d sudden. Like a knife

on the screen. The impressive figures that

late nights. M

to the largest percentage, the co

lurred. I b

't cry. Not

sensation on my s

the crowded room. Et

ltered. A flicker of something, gui

ed. His jaw tightened

lent messag

ou dare

ir in the room suddenly

, a mask I' d perfected

ella, whose hand was now

into my shoulder. "Alissa, you o

kind. T

bit of indigestion.

of the park, isn't she? Getting that commission fo

hed tighter. Kes

I had nurtured it, fo

ovations, expecting the recogn

up with a pretty bow, just a week after my mo

cturing incentives." I k

's "gold-digging scheme,"

was crushing, but his cruelty, his gas

g of well-wishers. Each congratulatory murm

unded. The

air. I ne

hing cold water on my face. My refl

pt

ow I fel

ks, a quiet hum beneath the surface o

was

ling as I typed an email. A short, conc

. "It's done. I'm leav

"Alissa, honey, are you s

do this alone. I'll

mix of terror and libe

thout looking back. The cool ni

my ambition, now felt oppressive

ss at first. The crisp autumn bre

in. The weather matche

first, then heavier. It pl

are. The cold

a cheer erupted. Laughter and mu

brating. Someone

a Russo's face smiled down at me, next

where. A cons

don just called. He's furious about what Ethan d

t let him. It'

so unfair! You

oesn't matter any

o Ethan. He wants to

go. I'm letting it go

nted to d

ided to a halt beside m

n's

own. Bella's face, framed by

re in the rain?" Her voice was laced w

d felt like a

d, my voice steady despi

ost." Her smile was sickly sweet.

robably wondering if

ut I prefe

isted, her gaze flicking to the back sea

as overflowing with shopping bags. Desi

d bought for us last Christmas, was car

like much room

se? Just a few things for my new apartment. E

ghtened.

eat, his profile etched against the glo

. He pulled something out and tosse

soft cashmere one he' d give

," he said, his voice devoid

by Bella. Tossed

bruised, felt an

arf, lying in a pu

without a word, flung it into t

he rearview mirror. A flick

he flickering red tailli

he apartment we once shared. The ligh

om. The bed, once our s

cent hung in the a

is pillow.

ched. Bile ros

g the meager contents of my stomach. My body convulsed, he

the cold tile floor, tears streaming down m

n the counter. A

onfirmation of my fli

Portland, Oregon

esc

dismissive line. "Headed out of to

e. Just like

sages. A handful of bland, transa

"How was your day?

bout my sensitive stomach w

d over Bella' s profile. Curiosity,

a, radiating happiness, he

a private j

cky to have a boss who knows how to make work

o. The familiar cream leather seats. The sm

rom our trip

Our jet,

en her on

again. The viola

for a few days." He was on a

iet, terrifying anger th

My eyes fell on the takeout

ese food. E

eat that. He used

he trash can, and dumped them. The pung

. "Don't bother with takeout nex

tly, the phon

g twice befo

voice was sharp, impatient. "Are yo

ine, in the background. "Ethan, honey

napped, my voice shak

"Look, I'm busy. Don't make a scen

dangerously low. "I ordere

you talking about

oed. "Ethan, the flight atten

aid, his voice already moving away from

y preferences, my allergies, my sens

or having a palate. F

I said, my voice fi

ause frankly, I'm done d