Lahat ng Kabanata ng When Love Turns into Betrayal : Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

She's waiting in the lobby when I arrive at Liam's building Monday morning, two hours before I'm supposed to be in court.I recognize her from photos. Natasha Knight. All legs and blonde highlights and the kind of confidence that comes from being beautiful your whole life and never hearing no. She's sitting on one of those expensive leather chairs like she owns the place, scrolling through her phone with perfectly manicured nails.When she sees me, she stands. Smiles. The smile doesn't reach her eyes."Violet Carter." She says my name like she's tasting it. "I was hoping we'd run into each other."My hand tightens on my bag. I'm supposed to testify in two hours and I don't have time for whatever this is. "I'm here to see Liam.""I know. He told me you were coming over to prep before court." She takes a step closer. "That's actually why I'm here. I think we should talk. Woman to woman.""We have nothing to talk about.""Oh, I think we do." Her smile sharpens. "See, Liam and I have hist

The cross-examination lasts three hours.Three hours of Ethan's lawyer, a sharp-faced woman named Katherine Brennan, trying to twist every word I say into a lie. Three hours of showing the jury those photos from every angle, asking the same questions different ways, implying that my testimony about Ethan's affairs is projection because I'm the real cheater.But I don't break. Don't cry. Don't let her see me sweat.I explain, calmly, that Daniel Reeves is a client. That we met once for a business consultation. That the photos were taken out of context, that the touching was him reaching for the contract I'd brought, that the leaning in was because trucks were passing and we could barely hear each other.Katherine doesn't believe me. Or pretends not to. The jury's faces are unreadable.When the judge finally calls recess, I'm so exhausted I can barely stand. Marcus has to steady me as we leave the courtroom."You did great," he says. "Really great. You stayed calm, stuck to the facts. T

Natasha corners me in the courthouse bathroom during the lunch recess.I'm washing my hands, preparing to go back on the stand for what Marcus promises will be the final round of testimony, when the door opens and she walks in. Alone. No lawyers. No witnesses. Just her and me and whatever desperation she's got left."We need to talk." Her voice is different now. Raw. The polished veneer completely gone.I should leave. Should call security. Should do literally anything except stay in this bathroom with a woman who's proven she'll do anything for money. But something keeps me there. Maybe curiosity. Maybe the need to see this through to the end."We have nothing to talk about.""Five million dollars." She says it fast, like she's afraid if she doesn't get it out quickly she'll lose her nerve. "I need five million dollars and I need it by Friday or I lose everything."I turn off the water. Dry my hands slowly. "And you're telling me this why?""Because I have something you want." She pu

The video goes viral three days after the verdict.Harper sends it to me with just three words: You need to see this.I'm at Liam's place, finally starting to breathe again, when I click the link. It's shaky phone footage from inside Marea, one of those upscale restaurants where the wealthy go to be seen. The timestamp says it was filmed last night.And there's Layla, standing on a table, mascara running down her face, screaming."She took everything from me!" Her voice is shrill, breaking. "Everything! My family, my future, my baby. Violet Carter destroyed my entire life and everyone's acting like she's some kind of hero!"The camera pans. Shows other diners staring, some filming on their own phones. A manager trying to coax her down. Someone laughing in the background."She's a vindictive bitch who couldn't handle that Ethan chose me!" Layla's swaying now, clearly drunk. "Chose me because I'm better, younger, more exciting. And she couldn't stand it so she destroyed him. Destroyed u

The email comes while I'm packing for our trip.Subject line: Forbes 30 Under 40 Feature Confirmation.I almost delete it thinking it's spam. But something makes me click.Dear Ms. Carter,Congratulations. You've been selected for Forbes 30 Under 40: Entrepreneurs Who Rose from Adversity. We'd like to feature you in our November issue with a full spread and interview. Your story of building Knight-Carter Ventures while navigating personal challenges has inspired our editorial team and we believe our readers need to hear it.I read it three times. Then call for Liam."What's wrong?" He appears in the doorway, concern all over his face."Nothing's wrong. I just, look at this."He reads over my shoulder. I watch his expression shift from worried to proud to something that looks like pure joy."Vi, this is huge. This is massive. Forbes doesn't just hand these out. They chose you out of thousands of entrepreneurs.""They chose the scandal," I say quietly. "They chose the woman who survived