You Have 24hrs To Marry Me

Chapter 7.5:Rose POV -The Red Diamond

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*11:58 PM. The Hale Mayfair. London.*

The wine tasted like ash.

I threw the glass at the wall.

It shattered. Red. Like the necklace he bought me 3 years ago.

`“Red suits you, Rose. It’s the color of power.”`

Liar.

My phone buzzed.

*@GossipCity: CEO Kelvin leaves dinner with mystery wife. Ex Rose Hale seen leaving alone.*

Mystery wife.

Jenna Hale.

The name burned.

I knew him. I knew his board. I knew his bed.

And he replaced me with a girl in an emerald dress who doesn’t even wear a ring.

“No.”

My assistant, Tia, peeked in. “Ms. Hale? Security—”

“Get out.”

She left.

I walked to my mirror. Red dress. Still on. Hair still perfect.

But his eyes weren’t on me tonight. They were on her hand. Under the table.

He touched her.

He never touched me in public.

I was a contract. She’s a... what?

*File: HALE, ROSE. TERMINATED.*

I saw it in his study once. When we were together. He didn’t think I’d read it.

`Reason for Dating: Corporate merger.`

`Reason for Breakup: She leaked board minutes.`

I didn’t leak them.

I threatened to. To make him marry me. To lock the shares.

And he looked at me like I was nothing.

`“I don’t get played, Rose. I play.”`

He broke me in 4 words.

And now he has her.

Jealousy is ugly. I know. But jealousy is also fuel.

I opened my laptop.

*Search: JENNA HALE. FAMILY.*

Dead father. Missing brother. Construction firm collapsed 2023.

Oh.

Kelvin didn’t pick her at random.

He picked the daughter of the man he destroyed.

That’s not marriage. That’s hunting.

And she doesn’t even know she’s prey.

My lips curved.

If she thinks she’s the wife... let’s see how long she lasts.

I picked up my phone.

*To: Unknown Number.*

`You’re Michael Hale, right? Jenna’s brother? We should talk. About your sister. And about the man who bought you.`

Send.

He works for Kelvin. I know it. Everyone in the board knows it.

If I can’t have Kelvin, I can burn his game.

Jenna wants to be Mrs. Kelvin?

Fine.

I’ll teach her what it costs to wear my dress.

I stood. Pulled the red diamond necklace from the box.

It didn’t fit me anymore.

Maybe it would fit her. Right before I choke her with it.

I smiled at my reflection.

“Game on, Mrs. Kelvin.”

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