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Ash was my best friend. The only friend I had after leaving my father’s house. We met at the park—heartbroken, she sat alone, crying after the man she loved dumped her for another. I consoled her, knowing all too well how it felt to lose someone you love. Ever since that day, we had been inseparable. I never thought she’d be the one to betray me like this. The one to come after my man. My Ryan. My fingers curled into fists, nails biting into my palms. Without hesitation, I walked toward her, my footsteps heavy with anger. She sat on the bed, oblivious to what was coming. The slap echoed through the room. Ash’s head snapped to the side, her dark curls shielding her face. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. "You of all people?" My voice trembled with fury. "You disgust me, Ash! Do you remember the day we met? When I held you as you cried over that jerk who dumped you? And now, you're after my man? Shameless!" My voice rose, thick with betrayal. She didn’t answer. Tears streamed down her face, but she refused to meet my eyes. Her silence only fueled my rage. I lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of her tangled hair. "Look at me!" I yanked her closer, my whole body shaking. I raised my hand again, ready to strike, but before I could, a firm grip clamped onto my wrist and yanked me backward. Before I could process what was happening, a sharp sting exploded across my cheek. I staggered, gasping. Ryan. He stood in front of me, chest heaving with fury. The man I had loved, the man I had given everything to, was looking at me like I was the villain. Tears blurred my vision as I clutched my burning cheek. "I never expected this from you, Ryan," I choked out. "You owe me! I left my father’s house, gave up everything just to be with you. And now you're having an affair with this—this bitch I used to call my friend? You disgust me!" I spat the words at him. "Not another word from you, Alora," he barked. "In fact, it’s time you left this house." I tilted my head, scoffing. "Oh, it’s time I leave my house? Aren’t you pathetic, Ryan? I’d love to see you try and make me." His fingers closed around my wrist like iron, yanking me toward the door. I struggled, digging my heels into the floor, but he was stronger. Still, I refused to give up. With a desperate move, I sank my teeth into his hand. He let go with a sharp hiss of pain. I didn’t waste the opportunity. My eyes darted around, searching for anything I could use to defend myself. Before I could grab something, he lunged for me again. I wrenched my arm free and slapped him across the face. His jaw clenched. His eyes darkened. "What is wrong with you, Ryan?" My voice shook with rage. "We just got married a few days ago, and now this? You cheat on me with Ash, and then you have the nerve to kick me out of my own house?" Ryan’s lips curled into a slow, mocking smirk. "Your house?" His voice dripped with amusement. A cold shiver ran down my spine. "And when," he continued, stepping closer, "did we ever get married?" I froze. "What?" My heart pounded. "Ryan, you were there, you idiot! Two days ago, you gave me our court marriage papers. I signed them, Ryan! We’re legally married!" His chuckle was low, cruel. "Oh, Alora…" He shook his head, like I was a child who didn’t understand the world. "You really thought those were marriage papers?" He leaned in, his breath hot against my skin. "They were power of attorney papers." The floor tilted beneath me. My chest constricted. My breath came in shallow, uneven gasps. Power of attorney? No. No, this couldn’t be happening. The man I loved—the man I thought loved me—had betrayed me in ways I couldn’t even fathom. This wasn’t the Ryan I knew. The Ryan I knew used to kiss me goodnight. He used to tell me I was his everything. This man was a monster. "You signed everything over to me," he whispered, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Your wealth. This apartment. Everything." I stumbled back, my body shaking. "And, Alora?" He glanced at Ash, who was now standing confidently beside him, her arms crossed. "It’s her I love." Ash smirked, stepping forward. "You should see your face right now," she purred. "Priceless." My pulse roared in my ears. My vision blurred. Ryan’s voice was the final knife to my gut. "You were nothing but a pawn in my game." My knees buckled. I hit the ground, my nails digging into the cold hardwood floor. The world around me felt unreal—like I was watching someone else’s tragedy unfold. Ash sighed dramatically. "Ryan,Let her leave our sweet home. Without thinking twice he grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet. He didn’t even hesitate. His grip tightened as he dragged me out of the room and through the living room. With one final shove, he threw me outside. I hit the ground hard, gravel scraping my palms. The door slammed shut. I banged against it, my fists bruising against the wood. "Ryan, open up! Please!" Nothing. A cold breeze slithered through the night, chilling me to the bone. My breaths came in short, uneven gasps. I was alone. Lost. Unwanted. My father’s voice echoed in my head, cold and final. You walk out that door, don’t bother coming back. I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, trying to hold myself together. A buzzing sound pulled me from my despair. My phone. I pulled it out with shaking fingers. The screen was cracked, but a notification blinked through the broken glass. From: Editor Subject: Submission Update I opened the email, my heart pounding. We regret to inform you that your current work does not meet our platform’s requirements… I couldn’t read the rest. The words blurred together. A rejection. Well, nothing strange, it happens, I guess it wasn't good enough My life felt like a movie, Ryan, and my home. Everything was gone A hollow laugh bubbled in my throat, slipping past my lips like a broken melody. First, I was betrayed. Then, I was thrown out of my own house?, you got some guts Ryan, I'll make you pay, I said to myself. Looking at my situation now I was completely doomed. Where was I supposed to go from here?, well I didn't have the time to answer that question. I turned away from the door, my feet moving on their own. The street stretched before me, empty and endless. I kept walking. One step after another, as if I could outrun the pain clawing at my chest. Tears spilled down my cheeks, but I didn’t bother wiping them away, each drop of tear fueled my hatred and anger towards Ryan. I'll make you regret this Ryan I said in my mind, I'll make all of you pay. I didn't know where I was going—I just knew I couldn't stay. My feet kept carrying me, which each passing step my head ached more and my vision blurred and the next thing I collapsed to the ground. The last thing I heard, was the screeching noise of a car coming to halt and a faint voice in a distance before everything went dark.096 **Tasha’s POV** “Mia?” she repeated, shock clear in her voice. I’d always called her Mom or Aunt Mia, playing the good daughter. Not today. “Tasha, is something wrong?” “It’s not a big deal,” I lied, my voice cold. “I’m coming home. Got something to tell you.” “Tell me?” Mia’s voice tightened. “You always go to your father. What’s going on, Tasha?” “You’ll see when I get there,” I said, brushing her off. “Don’t worry.” I hung up before she could dig deeper, leaving her confused. Why Mia? Because I was done pretending she was family. She’d stood by while Dad rejected Alora, and now she’d feel the fallout of his betrayal. I turned, glaring at Stanley’s mansion, its lights mocking me. “You’re gonna regret double-crossing me, Dad,” I hissed. The car that brought us was still there, but screw it—I didn’t need his handouts. I started walking, my heels clicking hard against the pavement, each step fueling my anger. When I reached the estate gates, I flagged a rickshaw and gave the
095**Alora’s POV**My heart stopped as the glass doors swung open, revealing my father and Tasha, their faces smug and unwelcome. I froze, Stanley’s hand still in mine, my mind racing. What were they doing here? After that night at the bar, I thought I’d never see them again. But as their eyes locked on me, my resolve hardened. I wasn’t letting them ruin this moment.“Stanley, keep walking,” I whispered, my voice firm. “Ignore them. Pretend they’re not here.”He hesitated, his brow furrowing. “Alora, maybe we should—”“He’s not my father,” I cut him off, my tone sharp. “The best thing is to do what I said. Please, Stanley.” I squeezed his hand, begging with my eyes.Stanley sighed but nodded, unable to say no to me. We started walking, our steps steady, heading straight for the doors. As we passed Tasha, her smirk made my skin crawl, but I kept my face blank, refusing to give her the satisfaction. My father’s gaze burned into me, but I didn’t flinch. Just as we reached the doors, he
094**Alora’s POV**“Don’t think for a second my opinion of you has changed, Mr. Richardson,” Mr. Chen growled, his eyes hard as he stood. “I’m only doing this because the majority agrees.” He grabbed his briefcase and stormed out, the guards at the door stepping aside to let him pass.The room stayed quiet, everyone still shocked by what just went down. I stood there, my heart pounding, feeling the weight of every stare in the boardroom.“Alora, what are you doing here?” Stanley asked, his voice soft as he walked toward me, his eyes searching mine.I forced a sheepish smile, my cheeks burning. “I know, I know, I should’ve called,” I said, my words tumbling out. “I wanted to surprise you, but I screwed everything up. I’m so sorry, Stanley. I don’t know how to make it up to you. I mean, I made a mess—”“Enough, Alora,” he said, cutting me off, his tone gentle but firm. He stepped closer, his hands resting on my shoulders. “What are you even talking about? You don’t need to make up for
093**Alora’s POV**“Hey, Stanley,” I said, my voice shaky as I forced a sheepish smile. I knew I’d screwed up big time. I’d just burst into one of his meetings, and from the looks of the men around the table—sharp suits, stern faces—it was a big deal. My stomach twisted, but Stanley’s wide-eyed stare held me in place, his expression a mix of shock and something I couldn’t quite read.Before he could respond, a short man in a black suit, his hair touched with gray, shot to his feet and slammed his hands on the table. His face, sharp and furious, marked him as maybe Chinese, and I’d clearly pissed him off. “This is the height of it, Mr. Stanley Richardson!” he barked, shoving his chair back and stalking toward Stanley. “What’s gotten into you lately?”“What’s wrong with me?” Stanley snapped, his voice tight. “What are you implying, Mr. Chen?”“What am I implying?” Mr. Chen yelled, his face reddening. “*Her*! She’s why I’m shouting! Because of her, you’ve been acting crazy. Or haven’t y
092 **Alora’s POV** I woke up to an empty bed, the sheets cold where Stanley should’ve been. My stomach dropped for a second, wondering if last night—his hands, his whispers—meant nothing. Then I saw the note on his pillow, his handwriting bold and messy: *Gone to work. See you later, honey.* I smiled, feeling warm inside. Typical Stanley, always knowing how to make me feel wanted. I got up, my feet hitting the floor, and wandered to the closet, to see if they were some of Stanley's clothes I could put on till my clothes were brought here but When I opened it, my mouth fell open. All my clothes—dresses, jeans, everything from my old apartment—were hanging there. How’d they move it all without me knowing? I must’ve been out cold after last night. I laughed a little, Stanley was a darling. I went to the bathroom soon after. The shower was hot, clearing my head as I stood under the spray. I tried to shake off thoughts of Tasha’s cruel words and my dad’s betrayal, but they stuck with
091**Ryan’s POV**I stood frozen on the pavement, staring at the fading taillights of Stanley’s car, the roar of its engine echoing in my ears. Alora was gone, lost to another man, and the weight of it crushed me. I’d chosen Ash over her, thrown away the best thing I ever had for someone who betrayed me. I was selfish, blind, but now I saw her worth, and nothing—*nothing*—would stop me from making her mine again.As I turned to head back to the restaurant, my eyes caught Mr. Ken staring at me, his chest still heaving from the shouting match with Alora. His face was a mix of anger and regret, and I couldn’t stand to look at him. I didn’t want to. He’d hated me from the moment Alora introduced me as her boyfriend, all because I was a poor orphan with nothing to my name. And when Alora returned to him, broken and stripped of everything I’d taken from her, he’d rejected her too, replacing her with that low-life Tasha standing next to him. Now, I could see it in his eyes—he regretted it.