GULLIBLE

CHAPTER TWO | GULLIBLE

DAHLIA HAYES

My lips trembled, the sight before me almost bringing me to my knees. The sound of my handbag hitting the floor finally announced my presence, and their gazes snapped toward me.

“What is going on here?” I stuttered, tears already spilling down my cheeks.

I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I didn’t want to believe they’d do this to me. She was my best friend, and I knew him better than I knew the back of my hand.

“Tell me this is a joke… maybe a mistake,” I whispered, forcing the words out through uneven breaths.

They ignored me completely. “Yes, I do. I’ll marry you, Jason,” Rachel said.

The world blurred as I watched him slide the ring onto her finger.

He got to his feet and kissed her deeply. Deeper than the pecks he gave me.

“I love you so much, baby,” he whispered between kisses.

“What the fuck is going on?” I yelled, grabbing the doorframe to steady myself.

Rachel leaned into him, whispering loud enough for me to hear. “She’s still stupid, isn’t she? Still as gullible as ever. I can’t believe we even have to explain this to her.”

Still in denial, I shook my head. “This isn’t real. It’s just a nightmare.”

“Could you just shut up and leave, stupid bitch? You’re ruining my engagement,” Rachel snapped, rolling her eyes.

My fists clenched and unclenched. I waited for someone, anyone at all, to rush out and tell me this was a prank.

But when Rachel picked up a used condom and threw it at me, making sure it hit my face, I knew nothing could be more real than this.

My face twisted into a sneer. I yanked it off and hurled it across the room. “You told me you were impotent. You told me you couldn’t—”

The words stuck in my throat. My mind replayed all those mornings we woke up together, his body pressed against mine, hard as ever. I’d been too blinded by love to see the truth.

No. I wasn’t stupid. I was just too trusting.

“I was never impotent,” Jason said, his tone cold. “I just wasn’t attracted to you. I only needed your money until I got a job. I got one yesterday. You’re useless to me now.”

My heart shattered, sharp and cruel. I could feel every piece cutting through my chest. But I refused to break in front of them.

“I need my credit cards back,” I said flatly, holding out my hand.

“About that, I emptied them. I needed money for the ring and our new apartment. We’re expecting.” He smiled, his hand resting proudly on her belly.

For the first time in two years, my mind connected the dots. The leaked nudes. His sudden insistence that I take those pictures. The fight when I refused. It was all deliberate.

“You leaked my nudes,” I said quietly.

His gaze flicked to Rachel, and they both laughed.

“Some people you pissed off wanted to destroy you, so they contacted me,” he said. “I needed money to buy Rachel’s ring, so you can guess how it went from there. Who would’ve thought the city’s best lawyer could be so fucking gullible?”

That was it. No more illusions. No more explanations.

Holding my bag tightly, I turned and walked out without looking back. Rachel’s loud moans followed me long after I left the house.

Outside, I kicked off my heels, they were slowing me down. I didn’t care where I was going. There was nowhere left to go.

My face went cold. My body moved on its own, step after step through the empty streets. When someone bumped into me, I barely flinched.

“I’m so sorry. Excuse me,” the stranger said.

That single accident shattered what was left of my composure. I collapsed on the sidewalk, covering my face with trembling hands. My sobs tore through the quiet night.

I wanted to scream at the universe for letting me love them, for letting me trust. But no scream could drown the ache in my chest. I needed something stronger. Something to numb me.

And then I saw it. A bar across the street. My salvation.

***

Twelve shots of vodka later, I felt lighter. Or maybe just emptier.

“One more,” I slurred, squinting at the bartender.

He poured another shot, and I swallowed it in one gulp. I tried to stand, but he blocked me.

“You can’t leave. You haven’t paid for your drinks.”

“I’m not leaving,” I muttered, fumbling for my wallet. But when I reached into my bag, it wasn’t there.

Panic rose. I dumped the contents onto the counter, lipstick, keys, receipts, but no wallet. My mind flashed to the man who’d bumped into me earlier. He was a pickpocket.

“Your payment, please.”

My knees gave out. I slid to the floor, defeated. This day couldn’t possibly get worse.

The bartender crouched in front of me, his voice dripping with malice.

“If you can’t pay the bill, I can think of another way.”

He began unbuckling his belt. My heart stopped. I screamed, pleading for help, but the bar was empty.

He pulled his dick out, a disgusting grin spreading across his face. “Suck my dick.”

Just when I lost all hope, the door flew open. A man in a black suit stepped in, hit the bartender once, and sent him crashing to the floor.

I heard footsteps, voices of men speaking in low, commanding tones, but I couldn’t make out faces.

Then, strong arms lifted me off the ground. The motion was swift. My drunken body betrayed me, and I vomited all over his suit.

“I’m so sowwy,” I slurred.

“It’s fine, Angel,” a deep, soothing voice murmured with a soft chuckle.

I was seconds from blacking out when the bartender, bleeding and afraid, choked out a plea.

“Please, Alec King… tell your men to go easy on me. Please, have mercy.” 

The sound of that name snapped me awake.

My eyes flew open and I became sober in an instant.