Chapter 10
Olivia
I opened my mouth, ready to explain–ready to say something, anything–that might chip away at the wall Sebastian had built between us. But before I could find the words, my phone buzzed sharply against the table.
> Phillip collapsed from exhaustion. I rushed him to the hospital, and he’s asking for you. Please hurry up, Liv!
The message was from Kaylee,
For a split second, the walls of Sebastian’s office felt like they were closing in. Not because I cared about Phillip–god, no-
exactly what this was.
-but because I knew
Phillip knew exactly when to collapse. His performances always arrived on schedule, staged to perfection. And I fell for it–every single time
But I’m not that pathetic girl anymore.
I inhaled slowly, steadying the twist in my gut, and looked back at Sebastian. His eyes, cold and unreadable, pinned me where I stood.
“Seb, I… I have to go,” I said, voice low, trying to keep it from trembling.
He said nothing. Not a word. Just stared.
His silence hurt more than I expected. But I knew regaining his trust would take time–time I was willing to give.
I didn’t want to leave. Not now, when things were this tense between us. But he couldn’t know what I was up to–and my bastard lover was calling.
Of course he was.
This moment tasted like déjà vu, only this time it had a bitter aftertaste.
Because it had happened before.
Last time, when Phillip collapsed, I’d rushed to him–crying, breathless, devastated. Desperate enough to drug Sebastian just to get that damned bidding price. And I handed it over like a loyal little mutt, wagging my tail for scraps of affection.
All for a man who looked me dead in the eye and lied like he was born for it.
Not again.
I walked down the hospital hallway with a wide smile smeared across my face like fresh war paint. You’d think I just won a lottery ticket, not returned to the scene of my humiliation.
When I reached the room, there he was–Phillip, laid out on the bed like a worn–out saint, Kaylee hovering beside him like the devoted sidekick. I put on a mask of panic and pity, starting my show from the doorway.
“Oh my God, Kaylee, what the hell happened?”
“I don’t… I don’t know. He just passed out.”
She looked genuinely worried. The Oscar goes to Kaylee.
I couldn’t believe I’d bought this low–budget performance the first time. Seeing her now, through new eyes, made my skin crawl with rage. Rebirth was a strange thing–everything looked different when you came back from the dead.
“Hey, baby,” Phillip rasped, sitting up slowly.
I moved to the bed, sat down, and took his hand. My smile faltered, replaced by trembling lips and wide eyes.
“Phillip, what the hell happened? I was so worried. I drove like crazy just to get here. Don’t scare me like this again,” I whispered, letting my fingers brush his wrist like I still cared. “You look awful. What happened?”
He exhaled dramatically, like the weight of the world was resting on his pathetic lungs.
“I’ve been overworking. Pushing too hard for the project. It’s nothing. I didn’t want you to worry.”
Sure you didn’t, asshole.
I pulled his hand to my chest, kissed it with shaky reverence. Every touch made me want to puke, but they were buying it.
Chapter 10
+25 Bonus
“Babe, the doctor says it’s really bad. I’ll have to take a few days off work–says I need rest so the stress doesn’t turn into something worse.”
I looked at him, tears finally sliding down my cheeks. I couldn’t believe I was crying, but hell, I’d already crawled this far–what were a few more drops of self–disgust?
“I told you to rest. Why don’t you listen?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Kaylee’s expression twitch. Irritation, maybe? Jealousy? She hid it with a tight smile, but I caught it.
He wiped my tears away.
“It’s going to be fine. I’m going to get better, okay? Don’t cry.”
His touch made my skin itch. Once upon a time, I would’ve torn the stars down for him.
“I love you,” I whispered, voice small, pathetic. I nearly choked on it.
“I love you more,
babe.”
Right. Cue the manipulation.
“That’s why I need to know everything Sebastian is up to,” he said softly, like we were still playing lovers under moonlight. “So we can finally be together.”
“You’re right,” I nodded, all sheepish agreement.
I was really getting better at this. I almost grinned.
“We need to get the documents for the Hamilton Urban Revenue Project. Knowing his bidding price would give us the upper hand.”
Same script. Same trick. And last time?
I drugged Sebastian, stole the files, handed them over–and got a knife in my back for the favor.
Now? I’m not the idiot. I’m the one holding the blade.
I nearly smiled.
Kaylee finally broke the silence.
“You’re overthinking. Just leave him–you can do this.”
“Don’t you want to leave Sebastian once and for all? Aren’t you tired of being in a loveless marriage?”
“I am. I hate him so much,” I replied, eyes lowered.
Lies. I hated them more than I hated Sebastian. And that was saying something.
“Then we have to do this–and do it fast.”
!
Oh, Kaylee. This manipulative little snake. I couldn’t believe I used to take her advice. The same woman who whispered poison into my ears was screwing my lover behind my back the whole damn time.
She told me Sebastian wasn’t good enough, that we only needed him for his money.
Looking back? He was everything. He was the gold.
“But we have a problem,” I said, turning to Phillip, tone low and laced with false worry.
Their eyes locked on mine.
“Sebastian doesn’t trust me. I think he suspects something’s going on. So getting the folder… it’s going to be harder than we thought.”
They both looked disappointed. I let the silence sit for a moment, then leaned in.
“Don’t worry. I have a plan. I stole the folders and hid them. All we need to do now is break in and grab them.”
“Then I can finally be done with Sebastian,” I added sweetly, reaching for Phillip’s hand. “And you and I can finally be together. Our happily ever after.”
He smiled at that, but I saw it–the flicker of doubt.
This bastard. Words can’t describe the loathing I feel. Years of pretending, lies piled so high they almost buried me.
Chapter 10
+25 Bonus
If I had the chance, I’d run my hand down his throat and rip his heart out through his smug mouth.
“Then if that’s the case, we don’t have much time,” Kaylee said, pacing now, hands on her hips.
She was right. Every second wasted was another Sebastian wasn’t pulling me into his arms, kissing me like I was the only woman on earth.
We had one shot–and we had to take it.
I nodded.
“Then we don’t miss this chance.”
My voice didn’t tremble. I was done playing weak. I was the storm pounding on their doorstep–and they didn’t even hear the thunder yet.
They ruined me once.
This time? I’d return the favor–with interest.
“That’s the spirit, bestie,” Kaylee smirked.
Phillip took my face in his hands, eyes swimming in fake emotion.
I wanted to peel off my skin–but I smiled at him.
“Babe, you know leaving Sebastian now isn’t an option. I told you–he has a lot, and I want what he has.”
Greedy bastard.
“But I can’t spend another day with him. I want to be with you and you alone, babe,” I said, hating every word.
“I know, my love. But soon enough. I promise.”
I nodded with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes.
He kissed me.
I didn’t bite him.
But I wanted to.
This was only the beginning.
