From Fake Wife to Final Goodbye

Doug Graham's rival let out a quiet, mocking laugh.

"This kind of kidnapping seems fun. How about we try it, too?"

I closed my eyes and kissed him. "I'll play along, but you have to help me disappear from his world."

Chad Conner lifted a brow slightly, pressing a finger to my lips.

"No rush. We'll play after you leave him."

I let out a bitter laugh, my mind still spinning, like I hadn't fully come back to reality yet.

Seeing the disbelief on my face, Chad scoffed. He picked up my phone and dialed the number pinned at the top.

Doug answered instantly, his tone already impatient.

"What is it?"

My tears hit the tile floor with a sharp, audible tap. I forced back the sob in my throat.

"Where are you? Who are you with?"

Doug paused for a second, then answered without hesitation, "I'm at a business meeting. If you've got nothing better to do, figure out how to deal with Chad for me. I told you already, Lindsey's just a shield I'm using to protect you. Stop overthinking it."

After the call ended, the faint, suggestive sound of running water came from behind the door again.

Lindsey Sowle's voice trembled softly. "Doug, is your wife checking in part of today's roleplay?"

My tears finally broke loose. I slid down against the wall, slowly sinking to the floor. The old injury in my lower back flared up, the one I got protecting Doug. The pain twisted through me until I curled into myself, trembling.

I should've realized sooner how ridiculous that excuse about protecting me really was.

He said Lindsey was my shield, but all his affection went to her, while all the real damage landed on me.

I had broken seven ribs doing his dirty work. My left hand was permanently crippled.

The truth was right there, soaked in blood. I wasn't naive enough anymore to believe love could numb that kind of pain.