All Chapters of It Started With A Lie, And Ended With Us.: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

My first day at work didn’t go at all how I imagined. I had pictured a fresh start, maybe a new chance to put my past behind me and move forward with something meaningful. But life had other plans. Too many things were uncovered—secrets I hadn’t prepared myself for. Wounds I thought were long buried were suddenly ripped open without warning. And in the chaos of it all, I came to realize something painfully raw: maybe life isn’t about having everything, or being everything... maybe it’s just about having that one person—just one—you can fully trust and rely on without fear. Someone whose presence makes the storm bearable.At first, I believed Arian. Her words, her pain—it all sounded convincing. Even though I didn’t want to get involved, I still found myself agreeing with her, silently nodding in the background. I didn’t have intentions to help her, yet I found myself siding with her, convinced that Justin was at fault. That he was cheating. That he was lying. I could’ve sworn it then—

My instinct kicked in. It was as if I already knew what was coming before it happened. Without thinking twice, I slapped his hands off me and used both legs to kick him back with full force. He stumbled and went crashing onto the floor.I stood there, stunned for a moment, completely unable to believe what had just happened—or what almost did. He was seriously about to undress me? Just how stingy could one man be with his clothes? Was it that difficult for him to part with a simple shirt and a pair of shorts? He had the money. He could buy a dozen more if he wanted. Hell, he could buy the entire rack! So why did it have to be mine he wanted me out of?“Really?” I erupted, storming forward with boiling anger. “You’re seriously going to strip me naked over a simple shirt and shorts? Something you can replace a hundred times over without even blinking?” I shot up to my feet, unable to remain seated. Every inch of me trembled, not from fear—but from the need to express just how furious I

I sat quietly in the car, my fingers nervously tapping against my thigh as I waited—waiting for Justin. He had left a while ago with Arian, right after she finally forgave him. I tried to be calm, tried to convince myself that everything was fine between them, that they were probably just talking, maybe clearing the air. But my thoughts kept circling the possibility of something more.I bit down on my lip, shaking my head slightly. No. I shouldn’t let my mind go there. Not now. Not like this.Still, there was this strange discomfort inside me. It was unsettling—imagining him with her, doing anything beyond a simple conversation. The thought alone twisted something in my chest, and I couldn't explain why it bothered me so much. It wasn’t like I had any reason to feel this way. Or did I?The car, though air-conditioned, suddenly felt too warm. My palms grew clammy, and the air around me became suffocating, as though the cooling system had betrayed me and was now blowing warm air instead

Unwillingly, I stepped outside, my feet dragging against the tiled floor as if every movement was being weighed down by my own hesitation. I stood at the door, torn between choices, unsure if I should walk away or stay and wait for him. The silence around me was loud—louder than my thoughts.Every second that ticked by echoed like the beating of my own heart, steady but agonizing, each thump reminding me of thoughts I had buried deep inside, thoughts I could barely bring myself to face.I remained still, unmoving, my ears tuned to the faintest sounds beyond the door. They were still talking—voices muffled, words lost in the wooden barrier between us—but I couldn’t make out anything concrete. It was as though the universe deliberately kept me in suspense.Would Justin give in to whatever vile, manipulative requests she was making? My mind raced, a whirlwind of worry clouding my judgment. I know just how desperate he is—to prove himself, to win his parents’ favor—but to stoop so low, to

After signing the deal, we immediately shifted our focus to his daily schedule—one he was already running late for. Time wasn't on our side, but somehow, we made it just in time for the board meeting.We walked into the conference room seconds before it began, and all eyes landed on Justin. There was a notable shift in the room’s energy—curiosity blended with awe. Everyone was visibly impressed, not just by his punctuality, but by how much he had managed to achieve in just two days.And truthfully, who wouldn't be?Not that Justin hasn’t always done great things for the company, but this time… this time it was different. This time, he signed with the McKenzies—a name that had been untouchable for years. That was the real shocker.The entire board buzzed with disbelief, their conversations echoing around the glass walls of the room.They couldn’t stop asking how he managed to pull it off—how he convinced Mr. McKenzie to accept the deal. That man was notorious for being impossible to wo