LOGINCHAPTER THIRTEEN LAUREN’S POV Helooked like he belonged in places like this. No, worse. He looked like he owned them. My mother went pale. My father actually pushed his chair back a little. Julian’s gaze moved lazily over both of them before resting on me for half a second. Something dark flickered there. Then he smiled at my father. It was not a kind smile. “Richardson,” he said. “Evelyn.” Neither of them answered. Julian pulled out my father’s chair like this was his table, his restaurant, his whole damn city, and sat down beside my mother. My father remained standing. It should have been ridiculous. Instead, it felt exactly right. Julian adjusted one cuff and said, “Please. Stand behind me if that makes you feel safer.” My father looked like he wanted to choke on his own rage but didn’t dare. So he did it. He stood behind Julian’s chair. I stared. My mother looked like she might faint. Julian turned his head slightly, glancing up at my father. “Good. You lear
CHAPTER TWELVELAUREN’S POVI picked the restaurant because my parents loved places that made them look expensive.Of course they were already there before me.My mother sat with that stiff look on her face like she was the one doing me a favor by breathing the same air. My father was scrolling through his phone, impatient, irritated, probably already deciding how he would blame me for Serena being a selfish disaster.I slid into the chair across from them and dropped my purse beside me.My mother looked up first. “You’re late.”“I came. Be grateful.”Her mouth tightened. “Watch your tone.”I gave her a smile with no warmth in it. “Or what? You’ll slap me in public this time?”My father finally looked up from his phone. “Enough.”“No,” I said. “Actually, not enough. I’m tired. I’m angry. And I didn’t come here to play happy family.”He put the phone down. “Then why did you come?”I leaned back. “Serena has been found.”That got them.My mother’s hand jerked on the table. My father wen
CHAPTER ELEVENLAUREN’S POVJulian did not rush me.That was the first thing that made it worse.He just stood there for a second, looking down at me like he had all the time in the world, like he was deciding which part of me to cut open first. Then he dragged another chair across the floor and sat right in front of me.Silas stood behind him.He wouldn't look at me.My heart was pounding so hard it made my ribs hurt.Julian crossed one leg over the other and said, almost lazily, “Do you know what I hate most about betrayal, Serena?”I glared at him over the tape on my mouth.He tilted his head. “It’s not the betrayal itself. It’s the effort. The patience. The creativity. It insults me.”I made a muffled sound, trying to speak through the tape, but he ignored it.He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Poison in my coffee beans was already ambitious enough. But shampoo?” He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Body spray, too? You really have been busy.”My stomach dropped.F
CHAPTER TENLAUREN’S POV The clock on the nightstand read 5:00 AM. I slipped out from under the heavy duvet. Julian’s back was to me, his breathing slow and even. I didn't wait to see if he was actually asleep. I threw on a pair of black leggings and a running jacket, grabbed my keys, and hurried out of the penthouse.If the doorman asked, I was going for a run.I didn't run to a park. I ran straight to the underground casino. My lungs burned by the time I slipped through the back alley entrance. The morning shift was empty, the air thick with stale cigarette smoke. I bypassed the main floor and went straight to the employee breakroom.I stopped dead in my tracks.Locker number four. My locker.The cheap metal door hung slightly open. The padlock was snapped in half, resting on the dirty linoleum floor. My heart dropped into my stomach. I tore the door open and dug through my spare uniform and old sneakers.Nothing.The ring was gone.Someone had stolen a multi-million-dollar diamo
CHAPTER NINE LAUREN’S POV My hands shook as I stared at the screen. The text glared back at me. “Meet me at the docks tonight with the cash, or your husband learns the truth.” Jake was insane if he thought I had access to Julian’s money. I lived in a penthouse, sure, but I didn't have a dime to my actual name. Serena's cards were in her purse, but I didn't know the PINs. I didn't know her bank passwords. I typed out a reply quickly, my thumbs slipping on the glass screen. “I don't have that kind of money yet. Give me a week.” I hit send. I threw the phone onto the mattress and ran a hand over my face. My lips still felt bruised. I could still taste Julian’s whiskey. A fresh wave of disgust washed over me, but I didn't have time to fall apart. The phone buzzed immediately. I snatched it up. “48 hours. Docks. Or I go to your husband with screenshots of you admitting you're a fraud.” A cold sweat broke out on the back of my neck. Jake wasn't bluffing. He was petty, broke, a
CHAPTER EIGHTLAUREN’S POVThe car ride back to the penthouse was completely silent. Julian didn't say a single word, but the anger radiating off him filled the entire vehicle.When the elevator finally opened into our living room, I stepped out quickly, just wanting to get away from him. I just wanted to lock my bedroom door and figure out what to do about Jake.I didn't even make it three steps.Julian grabbed my arm and spun me around."Who is he?" Julian demanded."I already told you," I said, trying to pull away. "I don't know him.""Don't lie to me." He backed me up until my shoulders hit the wall. "You were whispering to him. You looked terrified. And now you're shaking.""I'm shaking because you're hurting my arm, Julian."He dropped my arm but slammed his hand against the wall right next to my head. "Are you sleeping with him?"I stared at him. "What?""Are you fucking him behind my back, Serena?""Are you crazy?""Answer the question!" he yelled.I pushed at his chest. He d







