Chapter 2
Miranda laughed, her smile dripping with sarcasm. "Best friend? Brianna, you're way too naive.
"Since high school, I've been prettier, smarter, and more popular than you. Why should all the good things go to you? Why should you have that house? Why should Dexter be engaged to you?
"I refuse to accept it. So I'm going to take everything from you."
She said it unapologetically, as if I somehow deserved all of this.
I didn't say another word.
I turned and walked toward the door.
"Brianna!" Dexter called after me. "Think it over. Come to the office tomorrow to sign the transfer paperwork. It's all ready for you."
I didn't look back.
I made my way to the elevator, barely aware of my surroundings.
My eyes stung, but I held back the tears with everything I had.
I mustn't cry.
Definitely not here.
The elevator doors slid open, and just as I was about to step inside, Miranda's voice rang out from behind me.
"Brianna, wait," she called.
Miranda strode after me, her heels clicking sharply as she closed in.
"You really think you can get away?" Miranda stood right in front of me, towering over me. "The Lowes family has never failed to take what they want.
"If you cooperate, maybe you'll get some breakup money. But if you try anything, don't think I won't destroy your reputation in this city."
I looked up, meeting her gaze head-on.
"Miranda, what makes you think I'd just cooperate with you guys?" I shot back.
Miranda paused for a second, then let out a mocking laugh. "You? A nobody with no parents, no background, and no connections?
"What can you even do? Call the cops? Sue us? Do you have any proof?
"And even if you did, the Lowes family's lawyers would make sure you wouldn't even get through the courthouse doors."
She leaned in close, her voice low. "Wake up, Brianna. You're nobody."
I didn't say a word.
It was because what she said was true.
At least, for now.
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
I stepped inside.
Only then did I notice that someone else was already in the elevator.
A man stood there.
He looked to be around thirty, tall and lean, with strikingly cold features.
He wore a dark gray trench coat, standing in the corner of the elevator, his expression indifferent.
As I stepped inside, his gaze paused on my face for a second.
In that moment, I caught a fleeting emotion in his eyes.
I couldn't tell what it was.
Miranda clearly noticed the man in the elevator, too. She quickly composed herself, but still managed to throw one last jab at me before the doors closed.
"Brianna, be smart," she sneered.
The elevator doors slid shut.
Now, only the stranger and I remained in the small elevator.
There was a heavy silence.
A silence that seemed to stretch on forever.
I couldn't hold back the sting in my eyes anymore, but I bit down hard on my lip, determined not to lose control.
Out of nowhere, a tissue was handed to me.
I looked up to find the man watching me, his eyes steady and his voice deep.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
I took the tissue. "Thanks. I'm fine," I replied.
The elevator reached the first floor.
The man stepped out first, and I watched as he got into a sleek, understated black car.
I didn't recognize the logo on the car.
But it was obvious it was expensive.
I didn't pay it any mind.
Right now, my mind was spinning. What should I do? What now? What was I supposed to do?
I dragged myself back to the only place that was truly mine, the small apartment my parents left me.
It was just 320 square feet in a rundown old building, but every inch belonged to me.
I collapsed onto the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling, unable to move.
My wedding dress hung in the corner of the living room.
It was made of white lace, with delicate embroidery.
I'd spent three months' salary on it, dreaming of turning heads on my big day.
Now, it just looked laughable.
My phone buzzed.
It was a message from Miranda.
[Remember to come to the office tomorrow to hand in your resignation. Dexter said he doesn't want to see you in the company.
[And by the way, that wedding dress of yours is hideous. Just toss it. Mine will be worth ten times more than yours.]
I gripped my phone tightly in my hand.
Tears finally spilled down my cheeks.
It wasn't because of Dexter or Miranda.
It was because I finally realized that all the genuine feelings I'd poured out over the past three years had been for nothing.
What I thought was love turned out to be nothing but an elaborate scam.
What I thought was friendship was nothing but a stab in the back.
I was left with absolutely nothing.
No background, no support, and no way to fight back.
Was I really going to admit defeat?
I stared out into the night, and somewhere deep inside, I could feel myself growing tougher and more resolute.
No.
I refused to give in.
Even if I had nothing now, I'd never let them get their way.
This home was my parents' legacy to me. No one was ever going to take it from me.
And as for getting my revenge...