Chapter 14
The Sting of Betrayal
POV: Sloane Harper
The headline hits before sunrise. My name sits beside the word “gold-digger.” My stomach twists as I scroll through the article. Every quote sounds cruel, every sentence feels like a wound. My sister’s name appears near the bottom—Claire Harper, source confirmed.
I sit at the kitchen table and stare at my phone. The calls keep coming. Messages fill my inbox, reporters begging for comments. I whisper to myself, She wouldn’t do this. But the truth is already spreading.
Daisy walks in rubbing her eyes. She asks why I look sad. I smile and tell her I’m fine. She hugs me before eating her cereal. My phone keeps buzzing. I want to throw it away.
Gabriel calls before I leave for work. He asks if I’ve seen the news. I tell him I have. His voice stays calm, but I can tell he’s angry. He says we’ll find who leaked those emails. I haven't told him yet that it’s Claire.
At the office, everyone whispers. I hear my name every few steps. I walk straight into my office and close the door. My hands shake, but I press them flat against the desk. Don’t break now, I tell myself.
Evelyn enters without knocking. She says the media will twist it worse if I stay silent. She suggests a press conference. I nod, though my throat feels tight. I know she’s right.
When she leaves, I stare at the computer screen. My sent folder mocks me. I open the emails Claire leaked—private ones about my clients, my struggles, my thoughts about Adrian. Nothing criminal, just personal. Yet twisted, they look ugly.
I pick up the phone and dial Claire. It rings twice before she answers. Her tone is casual, almost cheerful. I ask her why. She laughs softly and says people deserve to know the truth. My voice rises. I ask again why she would do this. She says I’ve always been the “perfect sister,” and she’s tired of it.
I can’t speak for a moment. She ends the call before I can respond. My hand trembles as I hang up. Jealousy, I think. She did it out of jealousy.
Gabriel texts me later, saying his tech team traced the leak. I already know what he’ll say, but I wait for him to call. When he does, he confirms it’s Claire. He sounds hesitant when he says her name. I stay silent for a few seconds before saying I’m not surprised.
He asks if I’m okay. I tell him I’m not. He offers to come over, but I say no. I want to face this alone. After hanging up, I stare at the ceiling. Even blood can betray you, I think.
The next morning, cameras line the street outside my office. I take a deep breath before stepping out. Evelyn waits at the podium, giving last-minute advice. My lawyer stands beside her, papers in hand. My palms sweat, but I hold them steady.
When I step forward, flashes blind me. I clear my throat and begin. I say the leaked emails are real, but twisted. I say I built my company with hard work, not a man’s money. My voice shakes once, but I keep going.
I share my story—how I lost, rebuilt, and refused to quit. I tell them betrayal hurts most when it comes from family. The crowd quiets. Cameras lower. For the first time all week, I feel control returning to me.
When I finish, people clap. It’s not loud, but it’s enough. Reporters shout questions. I answered only a few before leaving the stage. My lawyer pats my shoulder and says I did well. I nod, though my heart feels heavy.
In the hallway, Gabriel waits. He smiles faintly and says, “You turned it around.” I look at him, unsure whether to thank him or cry. He says Claire’s online accounts are already losing followers. I whisper that I wish it didn’t have to come to this.
He places a hand on my arm and says, “Some people can’t stand your strength.” I nod but pull away gently. I don’t trust comfort right now.
That night, I sat by Daisy’s bed. She’s restless again. She keeps mumbling in her sleep. I stroke her hair until she wakes. She says she saw Adrian shouting in her dream. I tell her dreams can’t hurt us. She shakes her head and says, “He was calling you bad words.”
My throat tightens. I tell her to forget it, but she looks scared. She asks if he’ll come here. I tell her no, but the lie feels thin. She turns away and clings to her pillow.
When she sleeps again, I stay sitting. My phone buzzes beside me. A message from Claire appears: You made me look like a villain. I won’t forget this. I deleted it without replying.
The next day, Gabriel drops by my office. He says the scandal’s cooling off. He smiles and tells me I’ve gained more supporters than before. I nod, but my focus drifts. I ask if he thinks Claire might try something else. He says maybe, but we’ll be ready.
We. The word lingers in my mind longer than it should. For a moment, I want to believe it. Then I remind myself what trust cost last time.
That evening, I scrolled through social media. People are defending me, calling me brave again. I should feel relieved, but I don’t. I keep seeing Claire’s face in my head, the last time we laughed together.
I remember when we were kids, sharing secrets and candy. I wonder when that turned into envy. My chest aches. I whisper, I hope she finds peace someday.
Before bed, Daisy wakes again. She says she saw Adrian standing by her window in the dream. She asks if bad people can walk into dreams and make them real. I tell her no, but she doesn’t believe me.
She crawls into my bed and hugs me tightly. I lie there awake, staring into the dark. Her small hand grips my arm like she’s afraid I’ll disappear.
Morning brings another call from Gabriel. He says a hacker traced Adrian’s old number near the leak date. I ask what that means. He says it could mean Adrian knew about Claire’s plan. My pulse quickens.
I say we can’t prove it yet. He agrees but tells me to stay alert. I hang up and sit at my desk. Was this all planned? I ask myself.
Later that day, Evelyn calls a meeting. She says the investors are standing by me. She also says I should consider extra security. Her tone is calm but serious. I nod and say I’ll think about it.
When I leave the office, the sky looks dim. My car waits out front. As I reach for the handle, a voice calls my name. I turn around. A stranger stands across the street holding a phone.
He waves slightly before walking away. I frown and open my car door. Then my phone buzzes. It’s an unknown number. The message reads: You think you’re safe now? He’s closer than you think.
My fingers freeze on the screen. My eyes move over the words again. I glance around, but no one’s there anymore.
I start the car, my mind spinning. Is it Adrian? I whisper. Is it Claire?
Another message comes through before I can drive. It says: You shouldn’t have cut her off. Now she’s not alone anymore.
My heart pounds. I grip the wheel tighter. The street feels suddenly silent. I hit the call on the unknown number, but it disconnects instantly.
The phone buzzes once more. This time, a picture appears. Daisy’s school gate. The timestamp says five minutes ago.
My breath catches. My hands shake. The phone slips and lands on the seat.
I whisper, No... no, no.
Then a new message appears—only three words:
“He’s already there.”
Chapter 15: The Rival’s Eyes
POV: Gabriel Hale
Sloane walks into my office right on time. Her steps are calm, her tone steady when she greets me. I stand to shake her hand, but she only gives a short nod. I tell myself not to overthink it.
I’ve watched her from a distance for months. Her rise after everything Adrian did has been fast, almost too fast. Every time her name appears in a headline, I feel something inside me tighten. I tell myself it’s admiration, not attraction.
When she sits, I start explaining the proposal. I tell her Hale Enterprises wants to partner with Harper Solutions on the new expansion. She listens quietly, her face unreadable. I can’t tell if she’s interested or bored.
She asks what’s in it for me. The question cuts clean through the air. I pause for a second before answering. I tell her I want to build something that matters, something solid, not built on old grudges.
She raises an eyebrow and says I sound like a politician. I smile, but her expression doesn’t change. I add that my company could double her reach within a year. She leans back and says she’ll think about it.
Inside, I want to say more. I want to tell her I’ve followed her work since the first pitch she gave at Evelyn’s firm. I want to tell her that I saw the fire in her before she believed it herself. But I keep it all in.
Instead, I told her I admire how she never lets the noise drown her. She tilts her head and says people mistake survival for strength. I tell her she’s both. She looks away for a moment, and I feel like I’ve said too much.
The meeting ended faster than I expected. She stands, thanks me for the offer, and says she’ll review the documents. I nod and tell her to take her time. As she leaves, my chest feels both heavy and light.
When the door closes, I sit back and sigh. Don’t fall for her, I whisper to myself. I remind myself she’s still healing, still fighting Adrian’s shadow. I don’t want to become another one of her battles.
Later that night, I got a message from her. She wants to meet again to go over the details. My heart beats faster than it should. I will type back tomorrow at noon. She replies with a simple Fine.
The next day, she’s more relaxed. She asks a few sharper questions, the kind that make me smile inside. She’s testing me, not just as a businessman but as a person. I respect that. I answer each question with honesty.
When she signs the papers, I feel both triumph and fear. Her trust is a fragile thing, and I don’t want to break it. I told her she made the right choice. She says she hopes so.
We walked out together after the meeting. Cameras flash, reporters shout, but she keeps walking. I walk beside her, pretending I don’t notice how close our arms were.
In the car, I couldn't stop thinking about her face when she smiled. It wasn’t big, but it was real. It made something in me wake up that I’d kept buried for years. I grip the wheel tighter. Don’t ruin this, I think.
That night, my phone buzzed again. It’s Sloane. She says the partnership announcement should go out next week.
She also said she wants full creative control on her side. I agree instantly. I don’t care about control. I just want her to feel safe.
When I told my board the next morning, they questioned me. One of them says giving her that much freedom could hurt profits. I say it won’t. He asks why I’m so sure. I say this because she knows what she’s doing. They exchange looks, but I don’t care.
I know what they’re thinking. They think I’m letting emotion lead me. Maybe they’re right. But I’ve spent years surrounded by power games and empty deals. This feels different.
Later, I visited Sloane’s office for a project update. She’s busy reviewing proposals. She gestures for me to sit without looking up. I watch her for a moment, the focus in her eyes, the calm in her tone when she gives orders.
She finally looks at me and asks why I’m here in person. I told her I wanted to see how things are progressing. She says she doesn’t like being checked on. I told her I’m not checking, I’m investing in trust. She gives a small smirk and says, “That’s a first.”
Her words sting more than they should. I realize she doesn’t trust men easily anymore. I can’t blame her for that. Still, I want to change it, even if it takes time.
We talked about numbers for a while. Then she brings up Adrian again. She says he’s trying to dig into her business files. I feel anger rise in my chest. I tell her I’ll handle it. She says she can handle it herself. I nod but make a note to tighten security anyway.
When I leave, I can’t stop thinking about Adrian’s name in her mouth. The thought of him near her makes something dark stir in me. I tell myself it’s just a protective instinct, but it feels deeper than that.
The next few days move fast. The partnership gains attention online. People call it the “power alliance.” Investors reach out. My company’s value rises. But all I care about is how she looks when she talks about success—calm, strong, unbothered.
I sent her flowers after the announcement. She texts, You didn’t have to. I replied, I wanted to. She doesn’t answer again.
At night, I stare at my phone, waiting for her name to light the screen. I told myself I’m being foolish. I try to focus on work, but her voice keeps echoing in my mind.
Two days later, we attended a networking dinner together. The crowd watches us like we’re a story waiting to happen. She stays composed through every question. When someone jokes that we make a good team, she only says, “We work well.”
I nod beside her, pretending the words don’t affect me. Inside, they burn.
After dinner, we walk outside. She thanks me for being professional. I tell her I respect her more than she knows. She looks at me for a long time before saying, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Her words stay in my head long after she’s gone. I lay awake that night thinking about what she meant. Maybe she’s warning me, or maybe she’s daring me to try.
The next morning, my assistant bursts in with a file. She says something strange showed up in our system. I open the document and freeze. It’s a data breach alert from inside Harper Solutions.
I called Sloane immediately. She picks up on the second ring, her voice tense. I tell her someone’s accessing her company files from an unknown location. She says she’ll handle it. I tell her I’m sending my team anyway. She starts to argue, then stops.
Minutes later, my security lead calls. He says the hack looks professional—someone who knows both our systems. I ask if it’s Adrian. He says maybe, but it’s too early to confirm.
I hang up and drive to her office. She’s already there, surrounded by staff and laptops. She looks calm on the outside, but I can hear the strain in her voice. I tell her my team will coordinate with hers. She nods without looking up.
Hours pass as we track the breach. The logs show it started three days ago. I trace the code signature, hoping to find a clue. When it finally loads, my stomach drops. The signature matches an old Hale Enterprises encryption key—one that was stolen two years ago.
Sloane leans closer to my screen. She reads the code and turns to me. Her voice is sharp when she asks if I’m behind this. I shake my head, but she doesn’t move. I say I’d never hurt her. She says she’s heard that line before.
I reach for the laptop, but she pulls it away. She says she’ll have her lawyers verify everything. I try to explain, but she cuts me off. Her tone is cold now. She says maybe Adrian isn’t the only rival she should be watching.
I open my mouth to protest, but she walks out, the laptop in her arms. My chest feels like it’s closing in. I want to chase her, but I know it’ll make things worse.
I stand there, frozen. My assistant walks in and asks what’s going on. I can’t speak. The realization hits me hard—someone is framing me.
Then my phone buzzes. It’s an unknown number. I open the message and read the words slowly:
“You wanted her trust. Now watch it burn.”
The next message follows instantly.
A live feed opens—Sloane’s office camera. Adrian stands behind her, smiling.
Chapter 16: The Custody Fight
POV: Sloane Harper
The moment I saw the envelope, my hands went still. The words “custody petition” made my heart twist. I knew Adrian would do something like this, but not this soon. I sat at my desk, staring at the paper, hearing his voice in my head telling me I could never win against him. I took a breath and told myself I would not cry.
When I called Maddy, she sounded calm. She said we would fight this together. I wanted to believe her, but fear still pressed inside me. “He’s claiming you’re unfit,” she said, reading the lines aloud. “He’s using photos of parties and twisting them.” My throat tightened. I whispered that I had done nothing wrong. Maddy said, “We’ll show the truth.”
That night, Daisy slept beside me, her small hand on mine. I watched her face, trying to breathe quietly. The idea of losing her burned in my chest. I whispered to myself that Adrian would not take her. I had built everything for Daisy. I had to protect what was left.
When I met Maddy the next morning, she already had files spread on the table. She told me to stay calm, to trust the evidence. She said Adrian’s fake photos would fall apart under review. I nodded, pretending I wasn’t shaking inside. I asked her if she thought he could win. She said not if I stood strong.
Adrian’s lawyer, Mark, called later that day. His voice was smooth, pretending to sound polite. He said they wanted to “settle” before court. I knew what that meant—he wanted control again. “Tell Adrian,” I said, “that Daisy stays with me.” Mark paused before hanging up. I could feel Adrian’s anger behind the silence.
Days passed with interviews, reports, and papers. Reporters waited outside my firm, shouting questions about the custody case. I ignored them. I only wanted to focus on Daisy. Each time I looked at her drawings taped to the fridge, I felt my resolve grow. She drew our home with big smiles. I couldn’t let her lose that sense of peace.
When court day came, I sat in front of the mirror wearing a plain suit. My hands were steady, but my stomach turned. Daisy’s small voice called from the living room, asking if I’d be back before bedtime. I told her yes, even though I didn’t know. I hugged her tighter than usual. I didn’t want to let go.
At the courthouse, Adrian stood near the entrance with his lawyer. He looked confident, cold, and smug. I met his eyes for a moment. He smiled, and I looked away. Maddy leaned close and said, “Stay focused on Daisy. Don’t let him get to you.” I nodded, gripping my notes so hard they crumpled.
When the judge entered, the room fell silent. My pulse pounded in my ears. Adrian’s lawyer spoke first, presenting the photos. He called me reckless, unstable, and selfish. He said I left Daisy alone to chase parties. Each word made my chest tighten, but I stayed still. Maddy whispered that they were lying. I whispered back that I knew.
When it was my turn, Maddy stood and showed evidence that the photos were edited. She played recordings of Adrian yelling during past calls. The judge’s expression shifted. I felt a small breath of relief, but I kept my face calm. I couldn’t celebrate yet. Adrian’s lawyer tried to object, but the judge silenced him.
Then they called me to speak. I walked to the stand, every step heavy. I looked at Adrian sitting there with his hands folded. He smirked, but I ignored him. When the judge asked if I had anything to say, I nodded. My voice was soft at first, but it grew stronger. “I am not perfect,” I said, “but I am a mother who never gave up.”
I told them about the nights I worked late but still came home to read Daisy bedtime stories. I told them about her first day at school and how she cried until I sat with her. I said I was fighting because Daisy needed safety, not control. Adrian’s lawyer tried to interrupt, but the judge raised a hand. I continued speaking until my throat hurt.
When I finished, the judge thanked me. Adrian’s lawyer whispered something to him, but Adrian’s eyes stayed fixed on me. For the first time, his smirk faded. He looked unsure. I sat down beside Maddy, who whispered that I had done well. I stared at the judge’s bench, waiting for the next move.
After a short recess, Adrian was called to speak. He stood tall, pretending to be calm. He said he only wanted what was best for Daisy. He said I was filling her mind with hate. His words were smooth, but they sounded empty. I watched him carefully. He avoided my eyes. The judge listened without expression.
Maddy whispered that we had more evidence if needed. I told her to hold it unless the judge asked. My mind was already spinning. Adrian wasn’t doing this for Daisy. He was doing it for power. I knew it deep down. I wanted to scream that out loud, but I held my tongue. The truth would speak for itself soon.
The judge asked both lawyers to step forward. They spoke quietly for a few minutes, then returned to their seats. My hands trembled. I wondered if I was about to lose. Adrian looked too calm. I felt panic rise but forced it down. Maddy leaned close again, whispering that everything was under control.
Then the judge began to speak. His tone was neutral. He said the evidence of neglect on Adrian’s part was concerning. He said my care for Daisy had been consistent and sincere. My eyes filled, but I stayed silent. Adrian’s lawyer looked down. Adrian’s jaw tightened. The judge said he would issue a temporary order in my favor until further review.
I wanted to smile, but I didn’t. The fight wasn’t over yet. Adrian turned to me, eyes sharp, voice low. “This isn’t finished,” he muttered. I didn’t respond. Maddy motioned for me to leave the room. As I walked away, I could feel Adrian’s gaze burning into my back.
Outside the courthouse, reporters rushed forward. They shouted questions, waving microphones. I kept walking, saying nothing. Maddy told them the case was still active. She guided me toward the car, whispering that we needed to stay quiet until the final ruling. I nodded, my mind spinning.
When I got home, Daisy ran into my arms. She asked if everything was okay. I told her yes, because I wanted her to sleep peacefully. She smiled and showed me a new drawing she made. It was of us standing together, holding hands. I told her it was beautiful. Inside, my chest ached.
Later that night, I sat by the window, staring into the dark. I thought about what Adrian had said. “This isn’t finished.” I knew he meant it. He wouldn’t stop until he won or broke me. I whispered to myself that he wouldn’t win. I couldn’t let him.
My phone buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number. My hands shook as I opened it. There was a picture of Daisy taken earlier that day—outside her school. The message said, You can’t protect her forever.
My breath caught. I looked at the photo again, my pulse racing. I felt the room spin around me. I tried calling the number, but it was disconnected. I stood up, heart pounding, realizing what this meant. Adrian had taken the fight beyond the courtroom.
I whispered Daisy’s name and ran to her room. She was asleep, her small hand resting on her pillow. I stood there, frozen, staring at her face. My mind screamed one thought over and over—he had crossed the line.
I turned off the light and walked back to my room, my phone still in my hand. My reflection in the mirror looked calm, but my heart was burning. I whispered to myself that I would not let him touch her.
But deep inside, I knew this was only the beginning.
Chapter 17: The Power Move
POV: Sloane Harper
When the news came that I had won the client, I sat still for a long time. It didn’t feel real at first. The account had been the biggest one on the list, the kind that could change everything. I thought of the nights I stayed awake perfecting the proposal while Daisy slept in the next room. My phone buzzed again and again with messages of congratulations, but I didn’t smile. I only thought of Adrian’s face when he found out.
He called that same afternoon. His voice was sharp, pretending to sound calm. “You think this is over, Sloane?” he said. I told him it wasn’t a competition, but he laughed. “You stole my ideas,” he said. “You used what you learned from me.” I told him I built Harper Solutions from nothing. He didn’t believe me.
After the call, I sat in silence. His words stayed in my head. I knew this would come, but it still cut deep. I had left him to build something new, not to keep fighting old battles. I whispered to myself that I didn’t need his approval. I had won because I worked for it.
The next day, my office buzzed with activity. The team prepared for the demo that would prove our work. Maddy helped with contracts while my lead designer ran the numbers again. I stood before them, reminding everyone to stay calm. Inside, I wasn’t calm at all. I could almost feel Adrian watching from somewhere, waiting for me to fail.
When the demo began, the client’s board sat across from me. I took a deep breath and started talking. Every sentence came out steady, even though my hands shook behind the table. I explained how our model worked and how it improved their systems. One of the men asked if the idea came from Loxford Group, Adrian’s firm. I met his eyes and said, “No. This came from Harper Solutions.”
I showed every document and every timestamp proving that my work was original. The room stayed quiet for a while. Then the head of the board leaned back and nodded. He said the proposal was solid and that my explanations made sense. I thanked him, but inside I was exhausted. I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t.
When the demo ended, the team clapped softly. Maddy hugged me, whispering that I had just changed the game. I smiled for a moment, letting the relief sink in. Still, I knew Adrian would not let it end there. He would twist it again, he always did. But this time, I had proof.
That evening, I received another call, this time from Victor Kane. His voice carried the same calm tone it always did, polite but cold. He congratulated me on winning the client. Then he said we should talk about a merger between Harper Solutions and his firm. I said I would think about it. He laughed softly and said he didn’t make offers twice.
After the call, I sat with my thoughts. Victor’s firm was powerful, and merging with him could make my company unstoppable. But something about his tone bothered me. He spoke like it was already decided, like my yes was only a formality. I didn’t like that feeling. I wanted control of my work.
The next morning, Victor visited the office. He walked in with his assistant and smiled like he owned the place. I greeted him politely, asking what he wanted to discuss. He said the merger would benefit both sides, that together we could dominate the market. I listened, nodding, while my mind ran through every hidden risk.
He mentioned that Adrian’s firm had already reached out to him for collaboration. I froze for a second, then asked if he planned to work with both of us. He smiled faintly and said, “I go where the power is.” That sentence stayed in my mind long after he left. It sounded like a warning.
Later that day, Maddy came into my office with papers from Victor’s team. She said they were pushing fast for the deal. I asked if she trusted him. She said no, not completely. I told her I didn’t either. We agreed to delay signing until we reviewed everything.
At night, Daisy asked if the bad man was calling again. I told her no, and she smiled. I didn’t tell her about Victor or Adrian’s threats. She didn’t need to know about that world. I tucked her in and promised she was safe. As I sat by her bed, I thought about what “safe” really meant.
The next week, rumors began spreading that I had copied Adrian’s model. Someone had leaked early drafts of my presentation online, twisting them to look like his. My inbox is filled with reporters asking for comments. I called Maddy immediately. She said she was already tracing the leak. I told her to find the source fast.
I met with Victor again, this time at a restaurant near his office. He smiled and said he could help clean up the rumors if I accepted the merger. I stared at him, trying to read his face. “You knew about the leak?” I asked. He smiled again, not answering. My hands clenched under the table. I realized he was using the situation to corner me.
I told him I didn’t make decisions under pressure. He leaned closer and said pressure was part of power. “You can’t fight them alone forever,” he said. “Adrian has reached. Let me handle him for you.” His words sounded tempting, but I could feel something off. I told him I would think about it, and I walked out before he could say more.
Back at my office, Maddy handed me a folder. “You need to see this,” she said. Inside were screenshots showing Victor’s assistant communicating with someone from Adrian’s firm. My stomach turned. The messages mentioned “helping the plan” and “timing the leak.” I looked at Maddy, unable to speak for a moment. She said it confirmed what we feared.
I sat down, pressing my palms together. My thoughts ran wild. Victor and Adrian were working together. The merger wasn’t a partnership—it was a trap. I whispered to myself that I should have seen it sooner. I told Maddy to prepare a statement for the client and the press. I wanted to clear my name before the damage grew.
We worked all night, gathering documents and time stamps again. My eyes burned from staring at the screen, but I refused to stop. I thought about Daisy, sleeping peacefully while I fought invisible wars. I promised myself she would never see me give up.
The next morning, I stood in front of the cameras. Reporters filled the small conference room. I spoke slowly, explaining the truth. I showed the evidence proving my ownership of the project. I mentioned the messages linking the leak to rival firms. The room filled with murmurs. I finished with one line: “I built this from nothing, and I will not sell it for silence.”
When I walked off the stage, my phone rang again. It was Adrian. His voice sounded amused. “You always did like putting on a show,” he said. I asked him if he worked with Victor. He didn’t deny it. “He wanted you to fall for the same game I used to play,” he said. “I told him you wouldn’t, but he wanted to try anyway.” My breath caught.
“Why?” I asked quietly. He said because power was never given, it was taken. I told him I wasn’t his to take. He laughed and said, “Then don’t cry when it’s gone.” The call ended. I stared at the wall, feeling the weight of his words settle in.
That evening, Maddy called again. She said Victor’s company was under investigation for data manipulation. Someone had tipped off the authorities with the same files we found. I didn’t ask who leaked them. I only said good. But my relief didn’t last. A message came to my inbox minutes later from Victor’s assistant. It only said, You made a mistake.
My chest tightened. I stared at the screen for a long time. I thought about Adrian’s voice saying I couldn’t win forever. I thought about Daisy’s small smile that morning when she kissed my hand before school. I wanted to believe everything was over, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t.
When the office lights dimmed, I stood by the window, watching the city move below. Maddy had gone home, and the building was quiet. My phone buzzed one more time. The message had no name, only a photo attached. It showed Victor shaking hands with Adrian outside a hotel.
I felt my breath stop. My mind went blank for a moment. I whispered to myself that this couldn’t be happening again. But the image stayed there, proof that the two men who wanted to control me were working side by side.
I closed my eyes and gripped the edge of the desk. I knew what this meant. The next move would not be business. It would be war.
Chapter 18: The Rumors Fly
POV: Sloane Harper
When the first headline appeared, I didn’t move. I just stared at it on my phone, reading my name beside Gabriel’s. It said we were lovers. It said he was the reason for my success. My stomach twisted as I scrolled through the lines, each one dragging my name through mud. I whispered that I should have seen this coming.
Calls began flooding in within minutes. Maddy’s voice came through first, tight and sharp. She said the tabloids were linking me with Gabriel and that Adrian’s lawyer was already using it. “They’ll claim you’re distracted,” she said. I gripped the phone, asking who leaked the photos. She said the reporter worked for a magazine that Adrian had donated to last month.
I laughed softly, the sound empty. It was always the same game. He couldn’t win in court, so he was trying to win in the press. I told Maddy to gather every piece of evidence showing his connections to that reporter. She said she was on it. I hung up and sat in silence for a long time, staring at the wall.
Later that day, Gabriel came to my office. He looked calm, but I could feel the tension between us. He said he’d seen the article. I told him I didn’t blame him, but he still apologized. “I didn’t think they’d twist things like that,” he said. I told him not to worry. I’d handle it. But the way his eyes stayed on me made it hard to breathe.
After he left, I opened my laptop and began drafting my statement. Every sentence had to be measured. Every word had to cut the lie without sounding defensive. I told myself I wasn’t doing this for the world—I was doing it for Daisy. She needed to see her mother strong, even when people lied.
By evening, I went live. My hands shook before I hit the button, but once the camera turned on, my voice steadied. I spoke clearly, naming the magazine and the dates of Adrian’s financial transfers. I showed proof of the bribe. I said the stories were planted to weaken my custody case. The chat was filled with messages of support. When I ended the stream, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding.
Maddy called right after. She said the clip had gone viral. People were applauding the courage, the proof, the calm tone. Adrian’s side went silent. I told her to keep monitoring things. She said she would. When I hung up, I let my head fall back. For the first time that day, I felt something close to relief.
That night, when I got home, Daisy was waiting with a small package on the table. She said Gabriel had dropped it off. My heart jumped a little. I asked what it was. She smiled and said, “It’s for me.” Inside was a children’s book about courage. He had written a small note inside the cover. It said, For Daisy. Brave hearts shine brightest when the world gets loud.
I read it twice, my throat tightening. I could almost hear his voice in the words. I asked Daisy if she liked it. She nodded and said she wanted me to read it before bed. So I did. My voice cracked once, but she didn’t notice. When she fell asleep, I stayed there, staring at the book in my hands.
I thought about Gabriel—the way he always listened when I spoke, how his words never pushed but invited. He didn’t try to control me or fix me. He just stayed present. I wondered what he was thinking now, after everything the world had said about us. I whispered his name to the quiet room and hated how much I missed him.
In the following days, the news shifted. The same tabloids that attacked me now praised me for my composure. My follower count doubled. Clients sent messages saying they admired my strength. But behind every message, I felt Adrian watching, waiting for his next move. I told myself not to let my guard down.
Gabriel didn’t come by for a while. He sent short messages checking if Daisy was okay. I replied politely, keeping my tone distant even when my heart wanted more. Each time his name lit up my screen, I felt warmth spread through me. I told myself to stop, but I couldn’t.
One night, I dreamed of him. In the dream, we were alone in my office. The lights were dim, and he stood behind me, close enough for me to feel his breath. He didn’t touch me, but I could sense everything between us pulling tight. He whispered something I couldn’t understand. I turned to face him, and his hand brushed my jaw. My pulse raced until I woke up sweating.
I sat up, whispering that it was just a dream. But my heart didn’t calm down. I walked to the kitchen, poured a glass of water, and tried not to think about what my body had felt in that dream. I told myself it was just stress. Still, I couldn’t erase the image of his eyes, the heat in them.
The next morning, Gabriel sent another message. It said, I didn’t mean to disappear. I thought you needed space. I stared at it for a long time before replying. I wrote, I did. But I also missed your calm. I hesitated before pressing send, but I did it anyway.
He replied almost instantly. Maybe calm comes easier around you. My fingers froze over the screen. I typed and erased three responses before settling on Let's keep our distance until this case ends. He only wrote back, If that’s what you need. I read those words again and again, hearing disappointment hidden behind them.
That evening, Maddy called again. She said Adrian’s lawyer had filed a motion to use the rumors as proof of moral instability. I almost laughed. “He never runs out of tricks,” I said. Maddy said she’d prepare a response, but she sounded tired. I thanked her and hung up. I knew what this meant. The fight wasn’t done.
Later that night, after Daisy fell asleep, I sat at my desk going through old emails. I found one from Gabriel about a joint proposal we had once discussed months ago. Reading his words now felt different. There was trust in them, and something softer too. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. I wanted to write him back, but I stopped.
I whispered to myself that desire was dangerous. I had worked too hard to lose focus. But my heart kept beating faster whenever I thought of him. I leaned back, closing my eyes. His face filled the darkness behind my eyelids. I hated that he made me feel alive when I was supposed to be guarding myself.
The next day, Adrian showed up at the courthouse unannounced. I saw him across the hall, talking to a reporter. His expression was calm, too calm. Maddy tugged my sleeve, telling me not to react. But I knew he was staging something. He always did things with purpose. I told myself not to let him see fear.
When we walked into the hearing room, his lawyer handed over new evidence. Maddy opened the folder, her face tightening. She whispered that they had new photos—ones of me and Gabriel at a private dinner weeks ago. I felt my pulse drop. I remembered that night. It had been business. We had only talked. But in the photo, it looked like more.
The judge said the images would be reviewed later. Adrian smirked across the room, his eyes full of quiet victory. I wanted to stand and scream that he had planted everything. But I stayed still. I told myself that silence would win later, not noise.
After the session, I left the courthouse and walked quickly to my car. Reporters followed, shouting questions about Gabriel and me. One of them asked if I was using him for influence. I didn’t answer. I got into the car and shut the door, breathing hard. My phone buzzed again. It was a message from Gabriel.
He wrote, We need to talk. It’s important. I stared at the message, my thoughts spinning. I didn’t know if I wanted to hear what he had to say. I typed back, Not now. Everything’s falling apart. He replied, Then maybe I should tell you who helped make it fall.
I froze, staring at his words. My fingers trembled as I typed, What do you mean? There was no response. I waited a minute, then five, then ten. Still nothing. I called, but it went straight to voicemail.
My heart pounded harder with each second of silence. I looked around the empty parking lot, feeling something cold run through me. I whispered his name again, as if he could hear me. But only the phone’s screen stared back at me, blank and still.
The next message came a few minutes later. It wasn’t from Gabriel. It was from an unknown number. It said, You should have stayed quiet, Sloane.
My breath caught. My hands went numb. I looked around again, realizing someone had been watching me. I whispered to myself that this wasn’t over. But then another message arrived, and this one made my blood run cold.
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