Warne

ocked in their embrace, startled. Craig's head snapped up. He l

crumpled on the cold, hard earth, a

e mixture of shock and disbelief. He rushed to the

agony. My body was broken, shattered. I tried to speak, but only a c

at him, lying there, broken, but my gaze was fille

ouder, closer. Red and blue lights flashed through th

. you monster," I rasped, each word a shard of glass in my throat. "You did this. You.

ess claimed

ut a familiar one. My own bedroom. The one I shared with Craig. The windows were

ime, his eyes weren't red-rimmed with faux remor

"You actually tried to ruin me, didn't you? After everythi

te the throbbing pain throughout my

over. Said you were distraught, hallucinating after the miscarriage." He leaned forward, his eyes narrowed

re emotions used to be. The Craig I knew was truly gone. There was only

g," I said, my voice calm, steady. "You'

t. You withdrew my entire research team from the 'Innovators' Summit'! Ashley had to perform

ecause they refused to participate in your charade. They saw Ashley for w

indictive, manipulative woman, Ayla! And I'm done with it." He stood up, towering over me. "You need to reflect on you

Are you... are you i

ink. To recover. To come to your senses." He picked up my phone from the bedside table. "

d walked tow

still weak and aching from the fall, refused to cooperate. My le

with a heavy thud, the sound of a key turnin

, but there was no response. Just the chi

outside of my window, blocking out the li

brought me food three times a day. She never spoke, just placed the tray on

r sweet, manipulative voice. Craig's deep, resonant

nciliation – it all faded, replaced by a cold, quiet resolve. I didn't love him a

h my breakfast tray, I moved. Quick as a fla

r coming from the living room. I crep

on the sofa, her head nestled against his shoulder. H

asked by feigned innocence. "Oh! Dr. Warner! You're out! How wonderful! I was just

e. He made no move to get up, no m

I felt nothing but disgust. I t

She rushed towards me, her hand reaching out, trying to gra

er touch. "Don't," I said, my voic

g. "Please, Ayla! We can fix this!

ge, all the humiliation, all the betrayal,

L

ansion. Ashley's head snapped back, a

L

reeled, stumbling backward, her

ions. No more lies. This is real." I pointed a shaking finger at her. "And this is just the beginning