Chapter 5: The Final Betrayal

Lucas found me too. When no one else was around, he mocked me without restraint.

He cornered me in the hallway, his eyes cold and hard. He didn’t bother pretending anymore.

“You always outshone me at school—and then at work, too.”

He leaned in close, his breath hot on my face.

“Things have changed for me. I’m not just getting those shares.”

He smiled, showing all his teeth. I wanted to wipe the grin off his face.

“I want your little company, too. If you don’t agree, I’ll see you in court.”

He jabbed a finger in my chest, daring me to fight back.

He grabbed my collar and slammed me against the wall. My head spun.

The impact rattled my teeth. I saw stars, but I didn’t back down.

“Lucas, you’ve got to be kidding me!”

I shoved him off, my fists clenched. I was done playing nice.

I raised my fist to fight back, but a thermos smashed into my back, scalding hot liquid burning my skin.

The pain was instant, blinding. I cried out, clutching my back as my shirt stuck to my skin.

“Ryan Lane, what are you doing?”

Autumn’s voice was shrill, full of fake concern. She rushed to Lucas’s side, ignoring me completely.

Lucas put on an act, pushing me away. “Autumn, talk some sense into him. I just wanted to have a civil conversation, but he attacked me.”

He cradled his arm, pretending to be hurt. I wanted to laugh.

Autumn ignored my burns, anxiously checking Lucas for injuries.

She fussed over him, dabbing at a nonexistent wound. I watched her, numb.

“Ryan Lane, what’s wrong with you?”

She glared at me, her eyes full of disgust. I didn’t bother answering.

“You’re so stubborn. I’ll definitely testify against you. Get ready for jail!”

She spat the words at me, her voice shaking with anger.

I realized then she’d never loved me—not even a little.

The pain in my body and heart was suffocating. Just then, my phone buzzed with a message.

I fumbled for it, my hands shaking. It was Dave, my assistant.

“Mr. Lane, the plan to drive down the stock price and buy back shares is complete. We’ve moved the assets overseas, very discreetly. No one noticed.”

A wave of relief washed over me. For the first time in months, I felt like I could breathe.

I closed my eyes, hiding my tears.

I let myself cry, just for a minute. Then I wiped my face and stood tall.

“Lucas, all you wanted was my stuff. Fine, take it. It’s all yours.”

I tossed the keys on the table, watching his eyes light up. I felt nothing but emptiness.

That included Autumn.

I looked at her one last time, searching for any trace of the woman I once loved. She looked away, her face unreadable.

Lucas left, satisfied. Autumn was stunned, a flicker of unease in her eyes, not understanding why I’d give up so easily.

She tried to follow Lucas, but he brushed her off. I saw the panic in her eyes. Maybe she realized too late what she’d lost.

What did it mean to give up everything?

It meant freedom. It meant starting over. It meant finally letting go of the people who’d destroyed me.

But she didn’t have time to think. Lucas dropped the lawsuit, and my sister-in-law was unhappy. To appease her, Lucas played the perfect husband.

He brought her flowers, took her to every doctor’s appointment, posted pictures online of their "happy family." It was all for show, but nobody cared.

Autumn’s jealousy at home was barely concealed.

She snapped at Lucas, picked fights over nothing, slammed doors just to hear them echo.