I didn’t know where to go. The city lights blurred through the rain–streaked windows of the taxi as I sat in silence, gripping my suitcase. My mind was a storm, a chaotic mess of pain, anger, and something far darker.
I should have left to find peace.
But I didn’t want peace.
I wanted revenge.
I checked into a hotel, locking myself inside the quiet, unfamiliar room. The emptiness gave me time to think, to breathe- but not to heal. Healing wasn’t an option. Not yet.”
They had stolen everything from me.
They couldn’t be happy.”
And I knew exactly where to start.
Cole.
My ex–fiancé. The man I had once planned to spend my life with–until Julienne took him. If I remembered correctly, they weren’t divorced yet.
I had seen Cole at the last family gathering. Which meant Julienne was still legally his wife.
A slow, bitter smile curled on my lips. Two birds. One stone.
I reached for my phone and dialed his number.
Out of coverage.
Of course.
I tried his office instead. A receptionist picked up.
“I’m looking for Cole Laurent,” I said smoothly.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Laurent is currently out of the country for a business trip.”
Perfect.
If Cole wasn’t here, it gave me time to prepare.”
i needed proof. I couldn’t just walk up to him with accusations–I had to make sure Julienne had no escape.
I spent the next few days gathering every piece of evidence I could find. I dug into birth records, DNA reports, anything that could prove John wasn’t Cole’s child. I made copies of that video. The one where Dominic held Julienne’s hand, whispering soft reassurances.
I built my case carefully, meticulously. But I knew I couldn’t do this alone.”
Even if it meant working with Cole. Because Cole hadn’t betrayed me. He hadn’t been the one to choose Julienne. It had been our family, forcing them together after our kidnapping–using their marriage as leverage for a business deal. And maybe—just maybe–Cole would want revenge too after he had learned the truth.
-0
My phone rang for the tenth time that day. I had blocked Mateo but he managed to use different numbers just to call me.”
I stared at the screen, my chest tightening with rage, with pain, with the bitter reminder that he still had the audacity to reach out to me after everything.”
I let it ring. A minute later, another call.
And another. I turned my phone on silent.
But he wasn’t giving up.
Message after message flooded in.
Where are you?
Come back home, Evelyne. We need to talk.
I saw the divorce papers. I won’t sign them.”
Answer me. You don’t want to do this. You love me.”
Love? Is he insane?!
I gritted my teeth, my fingers tightening around the phone. Then another call.
I inhaled sharply. Fine. If he wanted a response so badly-
chapter &
I swiped to answer.
The moment the line connected, Dominic’s voice was sharp, frustrated. “You’re really going to ignore me? Evelyne, come back home and let’s talk about this.”
I let out a breathless laugh. “Talk? About what, Dominic?” My voice dripped with venom. “How you let our daughter die? How you fucked my sister? Which one should we discuss first because we were done discussing it already! You chose
her!”
A heavy silence.
Then, a controlled breath. “It’s not that simple-”
“Don’t,” I cut him off, my grip on the phone shaking. “Don’t you dare try to justify what you did.”}
“I’m not giving you this divorce,” he said firmly. “We can fix this-“}
“Fix this?” I snapped. “Are you insane?“}
“I still love you, Evelyne.”
A cruel, bitter laugh tore from my throat.”
“You love me?” My voice wavered, raw with anger, with disgust. “Then why did you choose her? Or was this because she Couldn’t choose you because she is still married?”
Silence.
I shook my head, exhaling sharply. “Listen to me, Dominic. If you ever see me again, pretend you don’t know me. Pretend I nevér existed. Because to me, you’re already dead.“}
1 hung up.
***
I adjusted my coat, smoothing my hair as I stepped into the towering glass building of Laurent Enterprises. The receptionist barely glanced at me before waving me through.”
They thought I was Julienne. I smiled and didn’t bother clarifying my identity. I walked through the halls with confidence, ignoring the stares of employees as I made my way to the top floor.
Cole’s office.[
I pushed open the doors without knocking.”
He stood by the window, his back to me, speaking into his phone.
Tall. Composed. The same Cole I had once loved. He turned at the sound of my heels clicking against the marble floor, his gaze sharp–before something flickered in his eyes.
Not confusion.[
Not hesitation.
Recognition.[
“Evelyne,” he said, voice steady.
My breath caught.
He knew.
I wasn’t Julienne./
I was me…
He crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. “What are you doing here?”
