I Was Her Replacement, I Left With His Cash

Chapter 3

Back at the new place, I started unpacking the boxes Elijah had sent over.

I pulled out each item one by one, and then at the bottom, I felt a stiff manila envelope. Taped to the seal was a sticky note that read: Serena Swift—Anchor Competition—Kingsport Regional.

I held the folder, ready to toss it out. But then I thought better of it. This was obviously important to Serena. If I played nice and returned it to her, I could probably squeeze even more out of Elijah.

I picked up my phone and dialed his number.

The call connected.

But instead of Elijah's voice, I heard a woman's heavy breathing on the other end.

"Elijah... slower..."

Then Elijah's voice, low and rough. "Be good. One more time..."

The sounds continued for about ten seconds before Elijah's voice finally came through the receiver.

"Who is it?"

"It's me. Freya."

Elijah's tone was impatient. "What else could you possibly want? Did you have to call right now?"

"I'm sorry." I let just the right amount of hurt creep into my voice. "I know I shouldn't have interrupted you and Ms. Swift, but her competition materials were mixed in with my things by mistake..."

Elijah paused. When he spoke again, his tone carried a hint of guilt.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped. Bring them to the villa. I'll be here."

By the time I arrived at the hillside villa, it was past 9 p.m. I rang the doorbell. After a long wait, the door finally opened.

Serena stood in the entryway, her robe hanging loose. Her neck was covered in fresh, dark marks.

"Did you enjoy the show?" she asked, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "All those years you spent warming his bed for me. You must be exhausted. Men have needs, after all."

She adjusted her robe, her fingers brushing over the marks on her neck as if showing off a trophy.

"Did Elijah give you any money? If not, I can transfer it to you right now."

She was trying to humiliate me, to treat me like a paid escort. I looked at her and smiled, then walked straight past her. "Thank you, Ms. Swift."

Insult me all you want—as long as I get paid. If she wanted to throw money at me, who was I to say no? Serena didn't expect me to brush her off so easily. Her smile froze. She hurried after me and grabbed my wrist.

"Who told you to come in? Get out!"

She yanked hard. I stumbled backward.

And at that moment, I looked up and saw a figure at the top of the stairs.

Elijah had just stepped out of his study. Our eyes met. He saw Serena shove me off balance. His right hand instinctively reached toward me.

But he was too far away. His fingers barely grazed the edge of my clothes. He caught nothing.

I closed my eyes and let myself fall backward.

"Freya!"

Just before I lost consciousness, I heard Elijah shout my name.