Dicker

fixed on a point beyond the sterile walls. Arlena had arranged for my immediate release, dismissing

ed, my voice still weak but

, her arm gently guidi

ty lights flash by, a dizzying kaleidoscope. Midtown. The route was strangely familiar. Our old ap

first," I interrupted the si

eam has already handled your official resignation. Effective immediately. They also

e was already fighting for me. But I wanted to do it

r than I expected. "I need to do

moment, then nodded. "Very

is ambition, now felt like a prison. The lobby was buzzing with activity, employees scurrying, the air thick with the scen

ome offered quick, sympathetic glances. Others, the ones Karly had charmed, averted their

aughter. Karly's high-pitched giggles. My heart, whic

against his desk, a possessive arm around Karly's waist. She was perched on

with smug satisfaction, contorted into a mask of surprise, then some

Devin asked, his voice strained. "

. "I'm recovering my dignity. And I'm here to officiall

er. I had printed it in the hospital, the words caref

dn't you get the memo? You're old news. Devin has moved on. We've moved on." She gestured to the ring

ome of his own. "Look, Haley, I know it's hard. But

otional'? You call being betrayed by the man I loved for eight years 'emotio

n't try to guilt-trip him with your made-up stories. You

sharp as a surgeon's scalpel. She stepped forward, her presence sudde

k again, confusion warring with a dawnin

ld I say, Karly Yates? The daughter of my former housekeeper, Huldah. T

white. Devin stared, his mouth agape. The few employees who

e thin and reedy. "This is insane! I'm Karly McLaughlin

ement. "But lies have a way of unraveling. Especially when the truth stands right in front of them." Sh

a strangled whisper. "Heiress

replaced by a pathetic, terrified stranger. "You always wanted a woman with connections, Devin

ed papers. It landed squarely on a photo of him and Karly. "Consider this my formal notice. And my fi

gh. "This is ridiculous! A desperate stunt! Devin, don

ture of disbelief and a growing, sickening dread. He saw it now. Not t

rieked, her veneer of sophistication cracking.

rds were whispered, meant only for Devin. "Oh, I won't, Devin. Not anym

one. The first stone had been thrown. And the storm was just beginning. Karly's desperate accusations followed us, but they were drowned out by the rising tide