Betrayed By The Billionaire

22

He had never said a word. He had simply carried her on his back, moving forward inch by inch, his spine slightly bent under her weight, terrified she might slip.

In those moments, she felt like she was his entire world. His life. His everything.

When they got home, she had applied his medicine and pressed a lingering kiss to his residual limb. For six years, he was her pride. She never allowed anyone to look down on him; if anyone dared to insult him, she would return the humiliation tenfold.

He was the man she was willing to protect with her very life.

She had once sworn to herself that she would never betray him, never leave him. She wanted to shield him from every ounce of pain and despair the world had to offer. She wanted him to know that no matter where he was, if he turned around, she would be there.

People make mistakes, don't they?

If he just turns back, I’ll forgive him.

By the time Chloe snapped back to reality, she was already idling outside the gates of the Martin estate.

Liam was leaving for the airport early to take Sara to the States. Chloe watched as servants loaded his luggage into the trunk. Sara clung to his arm, her movements intimate and natural as they climbed into the back of a Maybach together.

Chloe didn't want to admit it, but seeing Sara for the first time had ignited a jealousy so fierce she thought she might lose her mind.

That night, he had told her: The one I’ve always loved is Sara.

Ever since she left his house that evening, her brain had been a hollow static. she couldn't even manage a single word of blame or resentment. The last thing she had actually asked him was why he ran from the wedding.

But now, she had one more question.

In these six years, was there ever a single moment—beyond the utility and the leverage—where you actually felt something for me?

The ornate wrought-iron gates swung open, and the Maybach rolled slowly out. Liam spotted her immediately.

Their eyes locked through the glass. Chloe felt as if a giant hand had reached into her chest and squeezed her heart until it bled. She slammed her foot on the gas, swerving her car directly into the Maybach’s path, forcing it to a screeching halt.

The driver leaned out, ready to shout profanities, but the sight of Chloe Bishop silenced him instantly.

Because of the sudden brake, Sara hit her head against the seat and let out a soft cry of pain. Liam’s face instantly filled with concern as he checked her, then he looked up at Chloe. His handsome, refined features were tight with annoyance.

"Chloe, what are you doing now?"

He had assumed her announcement about getting married today was just a desperate lie. Seeing her here now only confirmed his suspicions.

Chloe put her car in reverse to clear the road, then leaned out her window, holding a large, expensive-looking box toward him. "This is the custom prosthetic I ordered for you from the States last month. You already paid for it."

Her voice was hauntingly flat.

Liam reached out to take the box, but Chloe gripped it tight, refusing to let go.

He looked up at her. In the harsh morning light, he realized how much she had changed in just a week. She was thinner, her jawline sharper, making her large eyes look even more sunken. Dark circles shadowed her skin, yet she remained devastatingly beautiful.

Her eyes were bloodshot, looking at him with a desperate, humble plea—as if a thousand words were trapped behind her lips.

Liam felt a surge of irritation. He assumed she still couldn't accept the end. "Chloe, I have a flight to catch. Whatever you want, just say it. When I get back, I’ll do my best to compensate you."

When you get back, it’ll be too late.

Chloe gripped the box until her knuckles turned white. She looked at the woman sitting beside him, and the words “Don't go” died in her throat.

In just over a month, the seat beside him had been filled by someone else. The man she had spent six years protecting had chosen to discard her. Every ounce of pain she had tried to shield him from, he was now forcing her to swallow.

It was gut-wrenching. It was agonizing.

Finally, Liam let go of the box. He turned his gaze away from her, his voice turning cold and sharp. "Chloe, let's have a clean break. Don't make this uglier than it has to be. I don't want the gift. Throw it away."

He tapped the back of the driver's seat. The driver understood and immediately accelerated, swerving around her.

Watching the Maybach disappear into the distance, Chloe’s pale lips curved into a tragic, self-mocking smile. What was I still hoping for?

She knew it was over. Why did she come here just to be humiliated one last time? She knew he would let go. Even if he had stayed, they could never go back to the way they were. The cracks in her heart were too deep; the pain was constant. How could she ever ignore it?

But she hadn't been able to accept it. This was their very last chance.

Every time she tried to draw a line between them, her heart bled. She played the part of the heartless, jilted woman, but deep down, she knew she couldn't let go.

But now... she was done.

This time, the light in her eyes truly went out. In the game of Liam Martin, she had lost everything.

She stared at the prosthetic in her hand for a long ten seconds. Then, she slowly backed her car up until she was level with the trash bin outside the Martin gates. She reached out and dropped the box into the bin.

So be it.

Liam, I tried. But you were the one who let go.

I hope we both find peace in the lives we’ve chosen.

Chloe looked at the Martin estate one last time—the place she used to consider her second home. It held too many memories. From today on, she would never set foot here again.