Chapter 8

<p>The moment the door clicked shut, my smile vanished without a trace.</p><p>I walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain just enough to see outside.</p><p>Down below, his black SUV came to life, pulled out of the neighborhood, and disappeared into traffic, heading straight for Sunview Mall.</p><p>I went back to the living room, grabbed my phone, and made a call.</p><p>I said, "Hey, Rick, it's Emily. Happy New Year. I need a favor; yeah, the same PI we used before. Get me the best; money's no object.</p><p>"I need him to start shadowing two people right now: my boyfriend, Brian Cole, and a woman named Chloe.</p><p>"I'll send you their photos and info in a sec. I want everything about what they do today, where they go, who they see, what they spend, what they talk about.</p><p>If you can get footage, that's even better. This is urgent. I need something back today. I'll pay triple; just get it done."</p><p>After hanging up, I sent over photos and basic info for Brian and Chloe.</p><p>Then I walked into the bedroom and opened the closet.</p><p>Inside, my clothes and his were hanging together—separate, yet somehow tangled up.</p><p>I pulled out that burgundy cashmere dress I hardly ever wore, the one he always said made me look classy. I paired it with matching lipstick and a pair of stilettos.</p><p>The woman in the mirror still had the same face, but something in her eyes had changed. The softness was gone, replaced by a cold, razor-sharp edge.</p><p>Once I was dressed and had my makeup on, I stared at the woman in the mirror, a version of myself sharpened by ice, nothing soft left, just cold resolve.</p><p>Sunview Mall was a twenty-minute drive from my place.</p><p>Even on New Year's Eve, the mall was crowded, families everywhere, loading up on New Year's goodies or sitting down for reunion dinners. Every corner was decked out in festive decorations, the air thick with holiday cheer.</p><p>But none of that joy or excitement had anything to do with me.</p><p>I strolled through the mall, sunglasses on, heels clicking against the shiny floor, taking my time.</p><p>My eyes scanned every counter, every store, like a radar locked onto its target.</p><p>It didn't take long before I spotted those two familiar figures at a high-end jewelry counter.</p><p>Brian was standing with his back to me, hunched over the jewelry counter, totally focused on whatever was inside the display case.</p><p>Chloe was hanging off his arm, practically glued to him, her whole body leaning in as she pointed at something, grinning up at him like he was the only guy in the world.</p><p>She'd really gone all out today, a white sweater dress that made her look sweet and dainty, her long hair in soft curls, makeup on point.</p><p>That diamond ring on her finger was catching the store lights, throwing off so much sparkle it was almost obnoxious.</p><p>Brian turned his head and gave her a smile, that kind of tenderness and patience I hadn't gotten from him in forever.</p><p>He lifted his hand, like he was about to mess up her hair, the way he always used to with me. But his hand hovered for a second, and then he gave her shoulder a gentle pat.</p><p>Chloe leaned in even more, like she was ready to melt right into him.</p><p>All around them, the place was packed with people, holiday music blaring, and nobody noticed the sleazy little drama unfolding right here in the corner.</p><p>And nobody noticed the woman in the burgundy dress and sunglasses, standing a few feet away, watching them in silence, an icy smile barely touching her lips.</p><p>I didn't step forward, didn't scream, didn't make a scene.</p><p>I just stood there, cool and collected, watching this pathetic act starring my so-called boyfriend and his "just a coworker."</p><p>Then I pulled out my phone, aimed it right at them, and snapped shot after shot.</p><p>Crystal-clear, front-facing photos that showed just how close they were, especially a close-up of the ring on Chloe's finger, and the way Brian looked at her, all soft and doting, without a hint of shame.</p><p>Once I was done, I put my phone away, turned around, and blended right in with the crowd, like I was never even there.</p><p>As I stepped out of the mall, the cold wind hit me, and whatever was left of my expression vanished.</p><p>My phone buzzed; it was a message from the PI: [Ms. Lane, both targets are in the jewelry section at Sunview Mall. They're getting pretty cozy, some PDA. We've got some footage already. Want us to keep tailing them?]</p><p>I said: [Keep following. Focus on Chloe, especially her reaction when she gets the ring, and where they head next. Also, find out who paid for that ring and exactly how much it cost.]</p>