y's

s proposal lingered in my mind, refusing to lea

ry

ouncing off the walls of my apart

bad soap opera, not real life. And yet, here I was, pacing my tiny

face in my hands. What was he even th

him more than seei

ke this was the most logical solution in the

ye

took his hand and let him lead me into this crazy plan? Could I really turn the tab

had his reasons for making that offer, and they probab

it. He'd get whatever revenge he was after, and I'd get to show Nathan

that simple. No

in the monotony of spreadsheets and emails. But as soon as I ste

s started almos

ee the ann

ch a perfec

she's still showi

I didn't hear them. I made it to my desk and opened my

ce, appeared at my side. She looked hesitant, l

n it?" she as

sked, even thoug

phone. "I thought you shou

d Mia, their arms wrapped around each other, smiling like they didn't have a ca

ut everything it represented. They'd moved on. They'd erased me like I

whole worl

ndy asked, her voi

ng the lump in my

I wa

out to anyone not even

I knew I needed to

ng at my phone. Damian's number was saved in my con

the way everyone seemed to delight in my humiliation. I thought about Damian's

would blow up in my face. B

erthink it, I hit

n the second

steady, like he'd be

our... proposal," I said, t

nd

d as there was pause Instantly as I could almost hear the smile in his voice when he replied. "

hat's

chance to stop being the victim and s

down my spine. "And you'

laced with confidence. "Nath

But it was also the first time in a long time that I felt like I had a ch

said finally.

voice came through, low and certain. "Good. I'll handle

der. But for now, I didn'

and I sat there for a long

one thing was certain, my life was about to chan