PROLOGUE

I didn't mean to come home early. If I hadn't... maybe I wouldn't have seen it. Maybe I will still be kept in the dark and stay stupid. Stayed in love.

I took out my spare key as I stood outside our shared bedroom... but something felt off. It was quiet. Too quiet.

"Francis? Are you home?" I pushed the door open and my heart stopped.

My whole world shattered.

There they are. My boyfriend and my sister. On the bed. Wrapped around each other like I never existed.

Eight years. Eight years of love... erased in one moment.

"Lilary—I-I can explain—wait—" His voice sounded panicked. Guilty.

I let out a small laugh, "Pathetic."

I looked at my sister and walked towards them with a calm expression.

I refuse to break in front of them. Not now, not ever. But I won't let them go easily either.

"I hope it was worth it," I whispered before shifting my attention to my boyfriend.

I slapped him hard on the face that made my sister tremble.

"We're done." I stated then turned to my sister. I gave her a smile before slapping her hard.

“Even my palm is not worthy of touching such disgrace."

" How dare you slap me!” Hanah said and was about to slap me. I grabbed her hand and slapped her again.

" I know that you envy me and are very desperate to walk in the same shoes I wore… but I didn't know you would stoop so low." I said and I can see her gritting her teeth.

I let go of her hand and she desperately covered herself with the blanket.

“Lilary, honey, I can explain. Let's talk please?” Francis begged.

I looked at him and laughed, " What's there to explain? You cheated, Francis."

“You were just so busy all the time-"

“Busy to help you pay your debt!" I shouted at him.

“Even your own father didn't help you because you're like this.” I said and I could see him froze.

" Take back what you said!" He yelled and was about to stand but Sarah touched her arm to stop him from doing so.

I walked towards the door and faced them, “Don't think that this is over." I said and walked away.

I booked a nearby hotel and stayed for the night.

I sat on the edge of the hotel bed, still in my clothes. The room is quiet but my mind isn't.

If they could betray me like I meant nothing... then I will make sure they lose everything.

My phone lights up and I open it.

Francis calling.

I stared at it and let it ring until it stopped. I sighed and a message followed immediately.

"Please, just talk to me. I can explain, it's not what you think."

"Not what I think?" I mumbled. "I saw everything. I witnessed it in my own eyes."

I turned off my phone and decided to rest for the night but my phone lights up again and another notification pops up.

It's from an unknown number. I opened it.

"Miss Cruz, this is regarding Mr. Francis Hemenez's unpaid balance..."

My jaw tightened and slowly, I sat up straighter.

"So this is how it is..." I muttered.

I scrolled through old messages, emails, bank records—everthing I once ignored out of love.

Now, I can see it all clearly. It's been in front of me all along. Debts. Lies. Excuses. All of it.

That night, something inside me changed. My gaze dropped back to my phone and a bold idea crept into my mind.

I knew exactly how to get my revenge.

I went to the internet and started doing my research.

One name. One man. Dominic Hemenez.

My ex-boyfriend's powerful, untouchable, dangerous father.

I read his articles, interviews, and business profiles.

I bit my lower lip. A man who doesn't forgive weakness. I clicked one of his photos and stared at it.

A slow smile formed on my lips. Perfect.

"Let's see how long you can stand watching me ruining your lives."