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Chapter Twenty-Six Beneath Her Mask
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2025-05-04 00:30:49Elena
You know what no one tells you about betrayal? It doesn’t always come like a storm. Sometimes, it arrives dressed in elegance, heels clicking across polished floors, wearing a smile so polished it blinds everyone but you—the one who’s bleeding underneath. That’s exactly how Sophie walked into the hospital today. Confident. Calm. Like she owned the building. Like she hadn’t just threatened my son. Like she hadn’t shattered my marriage and left me gasping for air in my own home. I stood by the nurse’s station, pretending to review patient notes. In reality, I was tracking her every step. My heart wasn’t just pounding—it was roaring in my ears. Rage. Fear. Loathing. A sick blend of all three. But I kept my face neutral. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this war, it’s this: never let the enemy see you crack. She passed by, her perfume hitting me like smoke. I knew that scent far too well. I used to compliment it—back when I believed she was my friend. Her eyes flicked to mine. I saw it—the challenge, the smugness, the quiet mockery beneath her painted lashes. I stepped in her path before she could walk past. “Dr. Meyers.” She stopped, smooth as silk, a perfect mask of professionalism. “Elena,” she said with a smile that could cut glass. “You’re looking well.” Was she mocking me? “I wish I could say the same about you,” I replied, voice razor-sharp. “But snakes don’t wear stress well, do they?” Her smile didn’t waver, but her eyes narrowed. “I hope that wasn’t a threat. It would be a shame if you lost your composure in the workplace.” I leaned in, my voice low and cold. “You sent me a picture of my son in his bedroom. You’re following him.” “That’s a serious accusation,” she said, feigning shock. “Are you sure your mind isn’t playing tricks on you? You’ve been under an unusual amount of pressure lately.” My pulse spiked. She wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore. She was gaslighting me—and enjoying every second of it. “I know what you’re doing,” I said. “You’re building a case against me. Whispering lies into the ears of board members. Spreading rumors. Playing victim.” “You forgot protecting your husband,” she said softly. “The man you were too busy to see. Too cold to touch. You abandoned him long before I ever stepped in.” I almost slapped her. But instead, I smiled. “Enjoy your moment, Sophie. Because it’s going to be short-lived.” Her confidence flickered—just for a second—but she quickly covered it with a smug tilt of her head. “I’m just getting started, Elena. And you? You’re already halfway gone.” She turned and walked away, heels echoing like gunshots down the corridor. I didn’t move. I stood there, breathing hard, tasting the bitter truth on my tongue. She wanted to destroy me. She wasn’t going to stop until she had everything—my reputation, my son, my peace. But what she didn’t understand was that I’d been broken before. And I rebuilt myself stronger. This time, I wasn’t going to survive. I was going to win.
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