Chapter 3

Five years ago, when Harvey loved me the most, it was me who betrayed him.

I still remember that month I disappeared without a word.

Harvey lost his mind trying to find me, searching every corner of the city like a man possessed, until someone in our school group chat shared a video.

It showed me in a hotel room with another man.

He leaned in to kiss me, and I held his neck, looking at him like he was my entire world.

The man's face was blurry, but mine was crystal clear.

The video was deleted by the admin within ten seconds, but not before it had been saved by far too many people.

Rumors spread like wildfire.

People said I had sold myself.

Harvey refused to believe it, until a month later, I showed up in front of him.

And standing beside me was Lance.

I stood in front of Harvey in silence for a long time.

His eyes were red, his whole face trembling as he choked out, "Sariah, tell me what happened."

He demanded answers, and I gave him a marriage certificate.

"I'm sorry," I said, "Lance and I have been together for years. I used you, and aside from apologizing, I should also thank you."

It was like Harvey had been struck by lightning.

He just stood there, staring at me like he didn't recognize me anymore.

I thanked him for helping me get into the university I'd dreamed of.

I thanked him for giving up his spot to study abroad so Lance could have it.

I didn't remember what else I said after that.

I only remembered that, until the very end, he never even opened that marriage certificate.

He raised his hand at me, his eyes burning with a rage I had never seen in him before.

He held that pose for a long, unbearable moment.

Then finally, he lowered it to the top of my head.

His voice was shaking with hatred, and yet, he cried in front of me.

"Sariah, you're ruthless. I never want to see you again," he said.

*****

I stayed home that night after my dad's dialysis treatment.

I had taken two days off work to care for him.

The next morning, a colleague called me.

There was a hint of gloating in her "concerned" voice. "Sariah, you haven't heard? Irene snatched your client."

I only had one contract on my plate.

If it was signed, I'd be guaranteed the promotion to team lead.

Everything had been negotiated, and we were just waiting for the other company to schedule the signing.

I rushed to the office, heart pounding.

And the first thing I saw was Irene, clinging to Harvey's arm, beaming as they exited the building.

When she saw me coming, she smiled and said, "Sorry, Sariah. Mr. Wilkinson took me out for dinner last night."

"Mr. Hugo Greene happened to be there, and when the deal came up, he insisted on signing with me," he added.

Harvey let out a cold, mocking laugh. "What's there to be sorry about? In business, it's all about skill."

The rage hit me like a wave. I snapped before I could stop myself. "Skill? You mean bedroom skills?"

Before Irene could even get offended, Harvey cut in. "If you had those skills, Sariah, you could've taken the deal yourself."

My fists clenched as I stared him down. "I wouldn't stoop that low."

Harvey's face twisted in mockery. "Oh? Then what exactly are you doing right now?"

Irene tugged on his arm, and they walked off together.

I turned around and raised my phone, snapping a few quick photos of them.

"Harvey," I called after him, "does your fiancée know about this?"

He froze and looked back at me.

I couldn't afford to lose this promotion.

My family was drowning in debt, and my father's treatment wasn't going to wait.

Knowing Harvey, reputation was everything to him.

I gripped my phone tighter and threw caution to the wind. "If you make my life hell, I'll make sure these photos go viral."

Harvey's lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, really?"