a's

It was an intimacy I had spent a year yearning for, an affection he reserved solely for his "beloved" ex-girlfriend. The sight made my stomach churn, a sickening blend

ated charm. My lungs burned, starved for air. I wanted to scream, to lash out, to rip that smug smile off Frida's face,

spine, pushing down the tidal wave of humiliation and betrayal. "Dr. Aris," I said, my voice surprisingly steady, "I'm here for the research assistant pos

. "Excellent, Aliza. I'm glad you're on board. This is a critical moment for th

esented my detailed research proposal, outlining groundbreaking methodologies, my voice firm and clear. I spoke with passion, with conviction, about the po

und, my expertise undeniable. They couldn't deny my qualifications, even with Dax's blatant interference. When the final vote

e campus. I had done it. I had fought for my place, for my

or were being carried inside. My heart gave a strange lurch. They were setting up the nur

erfect for the baby's room. He's been so particular. He even sent ov

Dax, particular about a nursery? The man who couldn't even remember my favorite color? A cynic

lost one, and now the prospect of another, of bringing a new life into this fractured world, felt terrifying. My own childhood, a blur of emotional neglect and unspoken resentm

s voice was clipped, urgent. "The media got wind of your...

nk. "What d

whispers about Frida's accident and your sudden job loss. It's a mess." His tone was devoid of sympathy, filled

weak. "Dax, I just lost a baby. A

s is about West Enterprises. This is about protecting our image, and more importantly, protecting Frida

miracle, not a new beginning, but a PR strategy. The

lashed blindingly, a hungry horde of reporters shouting questions. My hand rested on my still-flat stomach,

rare diamond necklace just last week. Is it true your wife received a simila

rse. My wife means the world to me. She deserves nothing less than the best." He

tar pendant" was a flimsy prop in his childish promise, a cheap bauble compared to the diamonds that adorned Frida. Yet, I smiled,

tionship with Ms. Brennan is strained, particularly after her recent accident. How do you feel about

ear command to play along. But something inside me snapped. The years of neglect, the constant h

e clear and calm. "Her involvement brings valuable public visibility to important scientific research." I paused, letting my gaze drift to Dax, then back to

n grudging respect, in their depths. He hadn't expected that. He had expected me to crumble

tablet. The comments section of a news article flashed on the screen: Gold-digger. Home-wrecker. She clearly drove Frida aw

am deal with this. It will blow over." H

eve them, Dax?" My voice was barely a whisper. "Do yo

a familiar weariness, "you knew what this marriage was. A pact. A merger. Your family's struggling biotech firm, my family's empire. There

who dared to disrupt his carefully constructed narrative. My chest tightened, a fresh wave of grief washing over me. I had foolishly hoped, even after everything, that he might, just might, see me