CHAPTER ELEVEN
254 Words
His Secrets I stared at him. “There’s a video?” He nodded slowly. “Hotel security footage. She got it somehow.” I turned away. “How many people know our entire lives are a charade?” “Too many now,” he muttered. “But we still have control.” My chest tightened. “You should’ve told me.” “I didn’t want to scare you.” I scoffed. “That’s convenient.” “Aria,” he said gently. “I never meant for this to spiral.” The sincerity in his voice cracked my anger, just a little. Still, I was drowning in panic. Later, Vanessa arrived. Tall, perfect, vicious. She greeted me with a fake smile. “So you’re the interior designer-turned-trophy-wife?” I smiled sweetly. “And you’re the discarded ex, right?” Her eyes darkened. “Careful.” She pulled out her phone. “This video goes live in 24 hours. Unless...” “Unless what?” Cole asked coldly. “You cancel the merger. Step down from the board. Publicly.” Cole’s jaw clenched. “You’d tank my company to get revenge?” She smirked. “I’d tank anything to ruin you both.” After she left, I stared at Cole. “What will you do?” “I’ll handle her,” he growled. “How?” He didn’t answer. But later that night, I overheard him on the phone. “She means nothing,” he whispered. “But Aria… I think I’m falling for her.”
- Writer
