2
By the time Cole returned to the house that evening, I had already destroyed everything in the engagement suite.
The servants huddled in a corner, too terrified to intervene, watching me tear through the room like a hurricane.
When I finally collapsed on the floor, exhausted and out of breath, Cole walked in.
His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing bruises on his chest and a fresh cut on his cheek. He looked down at me with zero remorse, expression cold and condescending.
“Are you done?” he asked, his tone laced with irritation.
I glared up at him through my tears, wishing my gaze could cut him like a knife.
“Lila,” he began, his voice calm but mocking, “this is just a business arrangement. I thought we both understood that. I didn’t think I needed your permission to see other women.”
His words made my blood boil.
his
I grabbed a broken vase from the floor and hurled it at him with all the strength I had left. But he sidestepped it effortlessly, letting it shatter against the wall behind him.
Cole let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.
“Bring me a mirror,” he called to one of the servants.
The staff scrambled to find one that hadn’t been smashed in my rampage. They returned with a small, cracked mirror, which Cole grabbed without hesitation.
Without caring about the jagged edges, he shoved the mirror in front of my
face.
“Look at yourself,” he sneered. “Take a good, long look. What do you see? A spoiled brat throwing a tantrum? You’re pathetic. A far cry from the poised, elegant woman you pretend to be. You’re nothing but a disgrace. Tell me, Lila–what do you have that can even compare to Mia?”
–
I stared at my reflection. My makeup was ruined, my hair a tangled mess, my face streaked with tears and smeared mascara. I looked like a per ghost of myself.
father–in–law.”
“Nothing,” I whispered, my voice hollow. “I have nothing left. It’s all hers now. Congratulations, Cole–you get to share a HELE
The words had barely left my mouth when his hand struck me across the face.
woman with your future
The force of the slap sent me careening into the coffee table. My head hit the edge, and blood began to drip down my forehead, mixing with the mess on my face.
“Shut your damn mouth!” Cole roared, his voice filled with venom. “You’re no angel yourself. Don’t act like you’re some innocent victim. You’re lucky I even agreed to marry you. If you insult Mia again, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
He took a step back, glaring down at me with pure disdain.
V
“As for your father” be added his voice cold “ho’ll now for crossing me. The Hayes family fortune isn’t his to control Morrving you was already
12:09 PM
<
His phone buzzed, interrupting his tirade.
The anger on his face disappeared in an instant, replaced by a sickeningly sweet smile as he answered the call.
I knew exactly who was on the other end of the line.
Even after everything that had happened, he was still whispering sweet nothings to Mia.
I felt bile rise in my throat.
Before I even realized what I was doing, I lunged at him, pounding my fists against his chest.
“You liar!” I screamed. “You said you loved me! That’s the only reason I agreed to this sham of a marriage! You’re all liars–every single one of you!”
Cole grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me to the ground.
“You brought this on yourself,” he snarled, his boot pressing down on my hand. The shards of broken glass dug into my palm, drawing blood.
“You believed me because you’re an idiot,” he hissed. “You’re nothing but a naive fool. Don’t blame me for your stupidity.”
