Chapter 4
Anastasia stood watching until Cassian’s luxury car disappeared around the corner, feeling like she’d just stepped into someone else’s life.
She tiptoed into the brownstone, careful not to disturb her grandmother who’d already gone to bed.
When she checked her phone, she found a barrage of missed calls.
Several from Jasper, and even more from her best friend Tamia.
They’d been roommates in college and remained ride–or–die confidantes ever since.
No one understood Anastasia better than Tamia.
Now a sales director at a tech startup, Tamia was known for her unstoppable hustle.
Anastasia immediately called her back.
The second Tamia answered, words tumbled out in concern: “Ana! Are you okay? Why weren’t you
answering? Where are you?”
“I’m fine, don’t worry. I’m home,” Anastasia replied, trying to sound casual.
“Thank God. Hey, is everything okay with you and Jasper? He called me sounding desperate, said he
couldn’t find you anywhere.”
Anastasia hesitated. “I need to tell you something, but promise me you won’t freak out.” She needed
to tell Tamia the truth–secrets like this had a way of revealing themselves anyway.
Sooner or later, Tamia would find out.
#1
…
..” Tamia paused, clearly sensing bad news. “Okay, I’m listening. What happened?”
“Jasper and I are done. For good this time.” Anastasia took a deep breath. “And he’s already with
Valeria.”
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Strangely, saying it out loud didn’t hurt as much as she’d expected.
“WHAT? You’re telling me that absolute piece of garbage is hooking up with that backstabbing little snake?” Tamia’s voice shot up several decibels.
Anastasia held the phone away from her ear.
Tamia was fully triggered now, her words machine–gunning through the speaker.
“Does Valeria have no shame whatsoever? Are all the men in New York dead? She just had to go
after her stepsister’s boyfriend?”
“And Jasper–that walking trash fire–even animals know better! He knows you can’t stand Valeria,
and he still went there?”
“I knew something was up when she ‘coincidentally‘ applied to J&A. I told you she was plotting
something…”
“Honey, please calm down…” Anastasia couldn’t help but smile despite everything. Having a friend this fiercely loyal made the situation so much more bearable.
Her heart felt lighter already.
“So what’s your plan? You’re not just going to let these two snakes slither off into the sunset, are you? Remember who you are–you were literally voted ‘Most Likely to Run the World‘ in college! You could have any man you want, but you chose to waste your time on Jasper’s pretty–boy face. You built that company into what it is today, and this is how he repays you?”
“And Miss Perfect Valeria with her ‘I’m so innocent‘ act? You should expose her for the homewrecker she is. She’s just like her mother–a professional man–stealer.”
“And then what? Let everyone see I couldn’t keep my man?” Anastasia sighed. “Actually, I’ve already
moved on.”
“You’re just letting them get away with it?” Tamia sounded outraged.
“Not at all. They played me, and they’ll pay for it. Besides,” Anastasia’s lips curved into a private smile, “sometimes you have to clear out the trash to make room for something better.”
She suddenly thought about the upcoming A‘ Design Award competition. Valeria had been dropping
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Chapter 4
hints about entering, clearly hoping for instant fame.
Just days ago, Jasper had casually mentioned it to Anastasia. She’d thought nothing of it at the time.
Now it made perfect sense–he was planning to push his new girlfriend as the next design star.
After all, winning that competition was the fastest path to industry recognition.
Tonight had been shocking enough without adding her impending marriage to Cassian Rhodes into the mix. Anastasia decided to keep that bombshell to herself for now.
“So what’s your next move?” Tamia pressed.
“Settling scores. Leaving the company.” Anastasia was ready to walk away from the mess.
“Good. I’m with you all the way. Whatever you need, just say the word,” Tamia insisted.
In college, Anastasia had been legendary–gorgeous, talented, consistently top of her class, and winning so many design competitions that her dorm room looked like a trophy cabinet. She’d been
unstoppable.
When she wasn’t blinded by love, she was practically invincible.
‘Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” Anastasia’s mind was already racing with possibilities.
After hanging up, she switched off her phone completely, denying Jasper any chance to contact her.
Starting tomorrow, Anastasia Kingsley would no longer waste another second on men like him.
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