LOGIN(Rayner)My fingers twitch at my side as she walks out.Her words echo in my head.He’s my husband after all.Pretend you know nothing about this.A scoff slips out.Then a laugh.Another one follows, low and humorless, before it breaks into a groan as I turn and slam my hands against the desk.I inhale slowly. Once. Twice.Then I straighten and look back at the door she just walked through.I can’t believe this.And here I was… worried for nothing.I drag a hand through my hair, pacing once before stopping.I thought she would be hurt.I thought hearing about his affair would be enough for her to finally walk away from him.Hell… I was ready.Ready to help her through the divorce. Ready to make sure that man stayed far away from her for good.But no.A bitter breath leaves me.Once again, I’m the one who looks like a fool.It’s like people would rather stay in something broken than face the truth.My jaw tightens.And then, before I can stop it, the past drags me back.Years ago.Her
(Amara)I watch as Rayner walks away with Stella wrapped around his arm, and something inside me tightens slowly, painfully.His words replay in my head.The apology.The way he made me say it.But somehow, that isn’t even what hurts the most.It’s her.The way she clings to him like he is her lifeline. The way her eyes glow with quiet victory. That look alone tells me everything I need to know.My words meant nothing.Being his “precious PA” meant nothing.A dry laugh almost leaves me, but I swallow it down. For a second, I nearly lift my hand to my face, tempted to snap myself out of these thoughts, out of this moment that refuses to let me breathe.I was foolish.I thought I mattered.I thought maybe he liked having me around as his PA. That was why he never let me go all this time.But of course I was wrong. I let the fact that he never let me quit make me think I mattered.What was I expecting? That even for a second he was going to support me over his girlfriend?Because I thoug
(Rayner)I step out to take a call, relief washing over me the moment I’m away from Stella.For a few seconds, I can breathe.Grandpa’s words replay in my mind, and I try to steady myself.It’s only for a few months.Just a few months.Once the deal with her father’s company is done, I’m free from all of this.Then his other words follow: You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. You can always reject it and I’ll just look for a way around it.I inhale deeply, the cool evening air filling my lungs.My jaw tightens.You can do this, Rayner.You have to.I push the thought aside and walk back into the restaurant.Something feels… off.There’s a shift in the air.A tension I can’t quite place.I ignore it at first, heading toward our table.It’s empty.No Stella.My brows draw together.Before I can think further, one of the staff approaches me, her face uneasy.“Sir… you need to see this.”My chest tightens slightly.I follow her without a word.As we turn the corner, I see them.
(Amara)“I’m so sorry,” I say quickly, the words tumbling out of my mouth. “I’m so sorry.”I lift my head—And freeze.Recognition hits instantly.Rayner’s girlfriend.My eyes widen slightly before I look away, caught off guard.Her voice from earlier echoes in my mind: It’s time for our dinner date.So this is where they came.My chest tightens.“You?” she says, her tone sharp with disbelief. “What are you doing here?”My heart drops once, what am I even doing here? I think to myself.I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.What am I even supposed to say?“Actually, I…” I start.She doesn’t let me finish.“Don’t tell me you followed us here,” she says, stepping closer. “To keep watch on us?”A frown forms on my face.Follow them?I can barely hold myself together right now.Why would I waste my time doing something like that?She studies my silence and scoffs.“I’ve seen the way you look at Rayner,” she says. “Don’t think I don’t understand girls like you. Trying to change your life
(Amara)“So what are you going to do now? Are you going to give in to what Felix wants and register for the couple reward?”Maya’s voice follows me as we step into the house.I drop my car keys on the table and sink into the couch with a heavy sigh.I feel stuck.Like there’s no way out anymore.She sits beside me. “You haven’t said anything, Amara. What’s your plan?” Her tone is sharper now, edged with frustration.I lean forward, my voice low as the words fall out. “I don’t know.”Her brows pull together. “You don’t know what?”“I don’t know, Maya.” I rise to my feet, and she follows immediately. My fingers lift as I begin to count, restless. “I don’t know what to do, what to say, or how to even handle any of this anymore.”A deep sigh leaves me as I turn to her. “This is just… too much.”“There’s nothing too much here,” she says with a shrug. “Since it’s already out like this, just counter whatever Felix said. You can’t apply for the reward when you’re not even married anymore. Tha
(Amara)“Why didn’t you tell me?”The words leave me the second I step into Rayner’s office.Rita’s and Olivia’s reactions replay in my head. The smiles. The excitement. The congratulations.Nothing like what I expected.Rayner doesn’t answer.He just stands there, his back to me, staring out the window like I’m not even here.My chest tightens.“You’re not going to answer me now?” I press, my voice sharper. “Why did you lie to me, sir, Rayner? You told me I would be in trouble if anyone else found out I’m married to Felix. You—”I stop, exhaling as frustration builds.“You told me to keep it a secret. You lied to me.”My heart starts pounding, heavy and painful.If I had known…If I had known it didn’t matter, I wouldn’t have let it get this far. I wouldn’t have let Felix have control over me this way.My fingers curl tightly at my sides.He finally turns.Slowly.“What do you want me to say?” he asks.A scoff slips out before I can stop it.Did he really just ask me that?If you had







