ana

t. Britton didn't chase me. He didn't even look up. The news alert on my phone, already

stant, her voice frantic, asking about the retraction. I told her to issue it, to make it sound b

ruth-Teller, Exposed as Fraud!" My online following, once my greatest strength, turned i

. My co-founder, a man I trusted implicitly, stood across from me, his face a

couldn't tell him about Britton's blackmail, about the

weight. "The board is calling for an emergency

had not only destroyed me, but he' d also made sure I had no

of text, admitting to fabricating a source in a past investigation. The internet, already inflamed,

It was a digital crucifixion. The empire I built was collapsing, and I was forced

ce was calm, almost solicitous. "Ell

a raw, guttural sound. "You ma

t. "Baylee deserved protection. And you, Ellian

mach churn. "The cost of truth? You mean the

Don't be dramatic. This will blo

s over, Britton. My career, my r

re of you." The words, meant to be reass

ver me. "You're not my husband. Not anym

enthouse, in that city, where every street corner felt like a reminder of my

flashing lights and shouting voices. They lunged at the car, cameras clic

tching my stomach. It felt like something was tearing inside

the driver asked, glanci

ying. Then, a sickening gush. Warm, viscous liq

ow. Not l

had recently gone off birth control, a secret hope blo

rs slick with sweat. I needed Britton. Even now, in this moment of terrifying uncertainty, he was the only one I could think of. The

through the line. Then Britton's voice, low and

ns. My husband, with his intern, while I was bleeding, alone, possibly losing our

ved violently. A truck, headlights blinding, bore down

rayal, of the gentle caress of his voice f

of antiseptic. My head throbbed. My body ac

ou lost a lot of blood. And..." Her pause stretched, heavy wi

Twisted by his betrayal, by the paparazzi he let loose on me. It was all his fault. My body felt empty, hollowe

doctor added, her brows furrowed. "It's unusual for som

ther the fragments of memory. The last thing I remembered was the flashing lights, the pain, and Britton's voice, intimate with Baylee. The betrayal was