iel's face confirmed the words she never wished to hear. S

ake as rage coursed through her. "Of all people-it had to be Estelle?! You

sibly distressed. "Sheryl, I didn't mean

r. "Of course, you didn't mean for it to happen." Her tone was venomous

, almost inaudibly, "This... this

tching only the tone,

tabilize your family business, to earn trust, to secure a place among Serbia's top ten elite families. You knew about my

at his sides. He couldn't lie. Not this time.

ved across her features. "Screw you, Nath

e's pregnant, Sheryl! She's carrying my child.

eeming to whistle around her. She slowly turned her

u both rot

r heels echoing along th

main entrance, she veered sharply and climbed the narrow side stairs leading to the rooftop terrace. Her hand trembled as she dug i

d greeting her like a cold slap. A

aughing at me," she mut

a long drag. Her thoughts drifted, unbidde

dra La

her. He

Aromatics. But her scandalous affair with Sheryl's father had toppled

g by the window, doodling Nathaniel's name in her sketchbook. Ca

r someone like you?" she had said with po

wiped them fiercely. "Damn it

h shaking hands, took one last puff of her ci

turned, s

te

idnight-blue silk gown that clung to her perfect figure

ing, isn't it?" Estelle

pond. She looked

cigarette ash off Sheryl's dress. The condesce

omeone else. Remember high school? That bench you loved? Mine. Head girl position? Mine

a low, villa

led tightly. Her nai

woman in my life. Bragging about everything you stole like they were trophies. Yo

at can I say? I'm th

er head and tu

lle wasn

ou. He told me. Said you were just... convenient. A nice placeholder. You stabilized th

halted

, her voice dipping

your name. All he did was curse you for being

knife. Sheryl

fuck alone!"

then smiled-a fer

until I see you broken. Groveling bene

ped. "You'

hurried footsteps climbi

han

ust as he reached the last step, Estelle's ey

tch, her expre

mbled. She drew a shaky breath

ion was instant

was tight and frantic. Sheryl struggled, jerking h

lunged t

was a

sl

cre

tumbled dow

TEL