He Helped Me Fail 99 Times

Alex stole my work 99 times to make his girlfriend famous.

What he didn't know? The girl he worshipped killed my parents. And the one who saved his life when he was circling the drain? Yeah—that was me. The same girl he wrecked for five straight years.

***

Mark wouldn't drop it. "Emma's actually a good person. Don't you feel even a little guilty?"

"Guilty?" Alex started the car. "I gave her a cushy life. She should be grateful."

"Lily blew you off when you tried to help her before, and now she's making bank off stolen tech. You really think she loves you? She's going after Emma on purpose."

"Shut up!" Alex slammed the brakes. "She only said no to save face. Now we're equals. When the timing's right, I'll ditch Emma and go public with Lily."

Mark shot back, "And Emma? You nuked five years of her life. She'll fall apart."

"She won't know," he said, all calm now. "I've got it mapped out. After the divorce, I'll throw her enough cash to coast.

"In the end, it was just a trade. She got security. I got to tick off my dad's box."

The engine quieted. I sat there in the dark, vision swimming.

Five years ago, I was kneeling by Mom's hospital bed when the monitor flatlined. The blast took her. Dad didn't last much longer.

Then Alex showed up. All soft words and perfect timing.

"Marry me," he said. "I'll take care of you."

I thought it was love. Turns out, it was a setup.

And me? I handed him everything like a total idiot.

My phone buzzed. Alex:

[Darling, there's a charity dinner tonight. Wear that blue gown. I'll pick you up at seven.]

I stared at the screen, hands heavy. Then typed:

[Okay.]

***

Twenty minutes later, Alex's Bentley pulled up.

He clocked my puffy eyes and frowned. "Crying again? FDA said no?"

I looked away.

He sighed and reached in for a hug. I flinched.

His hand hovered, confused.

"I... I'm just tired," I said, forcing a smile. "Think I'll skip it tonight."

"You can't," he said, soft.

"Big medtech names will be there. Could help your project."

Help Lily Hartway line up her next partner, more like.

Still, I got in the car.

***

At the dinner, I spotted Lily.

White gown. Flashbulb smile. Investors buzzing like flies. Media swarming—"rising star," "youngest female founder."

"Emma." She drifted over, champagne in hand. "FDA said no again? Brutal."

"Yeah." I kept my cool.

That smug little twitch hit her lips. "Don't quit. Startups aren't for everyone."

"You're right." I clinked her glass. "Good luck at your launch tomorrow."

She blinked. Just for a beat. Then the fake-sweet grin snapped back. "Thanks."

I left early. Said I didn't feel great.

Back home, I passed the living room and stopped at the one door I never opened.

Alex's study. Off-limits, always.

"Important docs," he'd said. "Stay out."

For five years, I did.

Not tonight.

I grabbed the handle. The keypad lit up.

I took a breath and punched in a date—not our anniversary, not my birthday, but hers, Lily’s.

Beep. Unlocked.

I smirked, opened the door, and stepped into a room that felt way too familiar—and totally wrong.