my knuckles white. The gala was supposed to be my night, our night. Jake was finally getting the recognition h

place I still called home. I needed comfort. I needed

and Eleanor Miller, were in the living room, th

id, her voice tight

ered, my own v

t one of sympathy, but of cold anger.

onfused. "What I'v

y," he cut me off. "And your sister is by his side. They made a stu

, Chloe clinging to his arm. He had called me backstage just before the announcement. I thought he

e smooth as ever. "There' s

. She stepped out, a smug little smile

out the designs? The Skyline pro

epts and improved them. I made them viable. You were

said, the words feeli

hand into his. "We're in love. Don't make this ugly,

h his brilliant partner, Chloe Miller. They didn't mention my name. I was

eight of the betrayal crashed down. It wasn

age that was starting to burn through the shock. "Chloe helped h

issive. "Chloe has always been better with people. She knows how to build rela

too!" I screamed. "Ho

ough Jake and Chloe, is important for our business. You will not jeopardize that with your

llow whisper. "My portfolio is useless now. He's cl

d, his words a final, brutal slap. "You wer

even meet my eyes. I was alone. Completely and utterly alone.