Chapter 3

I was head over heels for Frank.

After our parents passed, Victor and I saw just how cold the world could be.

I stopped trusting people, except for Frank.

But in the end, he was the one who ruined me.

I met Frank when I was a sophomore in college.

On campus, everyone knew me as the girl who brought her kid brother halfway around the world to study.

I was racing to graduate so I could take over the family business, all while keeping Victor afloat in life and class. I was running myself ragged.

Then Frank showed up, and it was like fate sent him to save me.

Back then, Frank was a legendary rising star in finance, wildly popular with students, and the school had scored him for a one-off lecture.

After the talk, I chased him down and peppered him with questions.

His assistant was already urging him to leave, and I thought I was about to miss my shot.

But he took my number. And once his meeting ended that night, he patiently answered every question I'd bombarded him with.

As we got to know each other better, he gave me advice on running a business.

Once he understood my situation, he even suggested taking Victor out for stuff guys were into.

He said boys really needed a grown man around to guide them and help them grow up right.

He was like a father figure to Victor.

For ages, Frank was both a brother and a father to Victor; he was everything to him.

So when Frank cheated, it didn't just hurt me; it wounded Victor deeply, too.

All that gratitude I once felt for Frank eventually turned into pure hatred.

A few days later, my jewelry brand launched a new collection that was a huge hit.

The whole city of Novalume was buzzing about my story.

On the business pages, the headlines were all about "Entrepreneur Kara," not "Mrs. Goodman."

I was so grateful to myself for never giving up on my career, even after I got married.

A month later, at the film festival, the best actresses from every generation strutted the red carpet decked out in Nash Group jewelry and outright stole the spotlight.

As an investor, I made my entrance at the exclusive gala dinner after the festival.

Seeing Julia at the gala was no shock at all.

She started out young, but never quite caught fire in the industry.

Then she crossed paths with Frank, and he made her an overnight internet sensation.

What floored me tonight was Julia's jewelry: the first piece I ever designed at twenty.

I sketched it; Frank flew in a master jeweler to hand-craft the sapphire necklace for me.

I wore it on my wedding day.

Frank locked it away after our wedding night, saying we'd bring it out on our golden anniversary and say "I do" all over again.

The vows still echoed in my ears. Yet the ink on our divorce barely dried before Frank draped that same necklace around Julia's neck. Disgusting.

Julia saw my face change and smirked at me, looking way too pleased with herself.

She walked up, her slender fingers running over the necklace.

With a fake little sigh, she looked at me and asked, "Ms. Nash, do you think this necklace looks nice?

"My agent said we couldn't get any jewelry from the Nash Group, so Mr. Goodman let me use a piece from his private stash instead."

Everyone nearby turned their attention to us.

I smiled calmly.

I handed my glass to a waiter, took out my phone from my purse, and called Frank.

He answered right away, sounding almost surprised and a little too pleased.

Frank said, "Kara? You actually called me?"

I took a deep breath and said calmly, "Frank, I don't care where you are; get to the party hall in ten minutes.

"Just giving you a heads up: I'm about to raise hell.

"Make sure you call an ambulance."

I hung up and, without a second thought, tossed my phone to the waiter.

Julia's face twisted in shock.

She snapped, "Kara, are you insane? Are you really going to start something right here, in front of everyone?

"Don't you care if the Nash Group's stock tanks tomorrow?"

I cut her off with a slap.

I sneered, "Honestly, I just don't get it. You're a clueless little nobody. When you see a real power player like me, shouldn't you be running for the hills?

"Why do you keep coming at me again and again?"

Julia crashed to the floor, letting out a shrill, embarrassed scream.

The whole party hall went dead silent.