Chapter 28
Olivia
Lying in bed alone, I kept tossing and turning. The silk sheets felt suffocating, what exactly did Kaylee and Phillip go to see my family lawyer for?
The questions kept roaming through my mind like restless ghosts, but that wasn’t even the most important one. I missed Sebastian so much -everything reminded me of him. His cologne lingered in the fibers of my pillows. His deep voice echoed in the silence. And thanks to the time difference, we barely talked.
Staying in bed wasn’t going to help my case though, so I picked up my phone and decided to call Phillip.
The phone didn’t ring for long before he picked up.
“Hey,” I said, dropping my voice to a sad whisper, soft enough to trigger sympathy.
“Olivia.” He replied, his voice cold–ice–in–a–glass cold.
“Phillip I just-”
“I need to see you,” he cut me off, urgency lacing his voice.
Well, I was going to suggest that anyway, asshole.
“Okay,” I replied instead, keeping my voice low till he hung up.
After the gala, we hadn’t seen each other, and for a moment, I wished he didn’t exist. But I was still glad he did–because I still needed to make his life a living hell. Slowly. Delightfully. Without mercy.
Getting dressed plainly, I drove to his penthouse.
The streets were busy, the city thrumming with late–night energy. Neon lights bled into the windows as I passed a billboard that read New York Fashion Week–with Kaylee’s picture on it.
I rolled down my window, eyes narrowing at the billboard. Her wide green eyes stared back, smug as hell. Then it hit me–loud and clear. An idea. Sharp, petty, and way too tempting. My lips curled, slow and wicked. Oh, she was so screwed.
When I got to Phillip’s place, I took the elevator to the top floor. Lights spilled in from every direction like the place was trying to outshine its owner’s ego. He sat on the couch with a glass of liquor in hand, legs spread like he ruled the world.
I walked toward him. Putting the cup down, he stood and wrapped his arms around me. And there it was–that suffocating perfume of his. The feel of his arms around me made my stomach churn. It took all I had not to squirm.
I was tired of this shitshow, but I had to keep going.
“I’m so sorry our plans fell through. I have no idea how Sebastian knew,” I said immediately, pushing him back slightly–but not enough to raise suspicion.
Phillip was a complete mess. He reeked of liquor and toxic cologne like a man drowning in his own overcompensation. I felt the urge to puke, but I held it back with the grace of a seasoned actress.
He just looked at me for a moment, silent. Then finally spoke.
“I keep asking myself how he knew we had his bidding prices. How did this happen, Olivia?!” He shook me, hands trembling with rage.
“I don’t know,” I teared up, forcing tears onto my lashes. “I’m so sorry I failed you.”
He sighed before letting go again, clenching his fists and turning his back to me. I could tell he wanted to yell, to explode–but he couldn’t. Turning back, a tight smile drew on his lips. “It’s okay, love. Sebastian’s a smart man–he must’ve figured it out somehow. Forget about it, we just have to be careful from now on. But I want you to do something for me.”
“Anything,” I said in a naive voice, eyes wide like the innocent little snake I was pretending, to be,
The words he whispered in my ears nearly made me twitch in revulsion. “You can do that, right?” He cupped my face in his hand, speaking to me like I was a dumb child.
Phillip wasn’t poor–he was actually doing well. He had money, but he was never content. Whatever he had was never enough. Overly ambitious. Cunning. Rotten to the core. A man built from mold and greed.
But right now, there was something in his eyes. Something unfamiliar… Was he doubting me? Fuck.
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“So what do we do now?” I asked, my face still in his hands, resisting the urge to bite him.
A crooked smirk slid across his face, eyes gleaming with mischief. “I have a new plan, but I want to get the specifics right first so I need something from Sebastian. Do you think you can get it without him knowing?”
“Of course I can. Whatever you need, I won’t mess up anymore, I swear.”
“I need the key card to his office. You know I’m doing all this for us–so we can be together right? Once I have everything I need, I’ll take care of us.”
“Okay. I’ll get the key card for you.”
He gave me a contented smile, his hand still on my skin. It made my skin crawl like ants were dancing under it. Just as he was about to kiss me, my phone rang. I immediately turned my head and reached into my pocket.
Relief zipped through me–this call was my saving grace. I couldn’t stomach the thought of his lips on mine.
I glanced at the screen. Joshua.
Perfect.
I took a quick step back. “I, uh… have to go. It’s urgent, okay?”
He frowned and started to speak, but I was already halfway out the door not caring if he found it weird.
“Hello,” I said, picking up the call.
“What you asked for is ready,” was all he said.
Doing a little fist pump, I shimmied my way to my car. After leaving Phillip’s building, I immediately made my way to Joshua’s lab.
He stood outside, dressed in a long coat that fluttered slightly, I rolled down my window and without a word, he dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle before handing it over to me.
My face was covered with a sinister smile. “Thank you, Joshy.”
“I honestly hope you know what you’re doing, Liv, because that stuff is more than harmful,” he warned, his voice low and sincere.
“Don’t worry, I know exactly what I’m doing.”
Without another word, I rolled my window up and sped away.
That night, I sat in bed holding the bottle, examining its contents like it held the secrets of vengeance.
I knew this stuff was harmful, but I wasn’t exactly sure of the best way to use it for the worst possible outcome… Especially since what Kaylee made me do to Sebastian in my past life still burned my memory like it happened yesterday.
So, I did what anyone seeking the perfect way to destroy their best friend would do–I started researching.
Grabbing my laptop, i began scouring social media. I searched for a while, but then a health blog suddenly caught my attention: Virexil Noir destroys the skin when ingested, but when it comes into direct contact with the skin, it burns–leaving untreatable damage.
Fucking. Bingo.
I made Kaylee who she is today—and I can just as easily take it all away.
In my past life, being a supermodel was everything to me. It wasn’t just a dream; it was the passion I’d built my whole world around.
Years of grueling training, sweat, and sacrifice–until I pushed it all aside for my so–called best friend.
She wanted the spotlight, and I gave it to her without hesitation. She was so consumed by her own ambition that I couldn’t say no. And how did she repay me? By destroying my skin. “An accident,” she claimed.
I recovered, but I never felt the same. Never as comfortable as I used to be. Never as beautiful.
But everyone worshipped her. And that’s exactly what she wanted–people to adore her, to treat her like some kind of god.
But all of that was about to change.
Kaylee thought she was smart, but I was the Wicked Witch Of The West.
Our friendship was the kind people envied. We shared everything–our secrets, our dreams, our time. But I never saw the bits
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beneath it all.
It wasn’t until the day I died that the truth hit me.
The fire tore through my skin, but all I could feel was the burning need for revenge. A vengeance so deep, it threatened to consume everything in its path.
I wasn’t just given a second chance to make things right with Sebastian.
I was given a second chance to destroy those who destroyed me.
I was reborn through flames. And I will lay waste to them all.
I lay down again, but I couldn’t sleep.
I missed Sebastian. The look on his face before leaving still bothered me. He looked so worried, but wouldn’t say anything about it.
Still, I had my ways. I’d figure it out–I always do.
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