Chapter 7 The Truth Comes Too Late
Fiora still thought she could get away with it by acting coy.
“Oh, come on, you were always complaining about how clingy she was! That guy’s been into Elaine forever, you
know.
“I just thought I’d give him a shot-how was I supposed to know he’d actually do something like that?
“We grew up together, Seth. Are you really going to blame me for her? I was just looking out for you.”
Seth’s smile twisted into something ugly.
“Fiora, you’re the one who always said you wanted freedom, that you didn’t want to be tied down, that you couldn’t accept my feelings.
“How many times did I ask? I told you, if you wanted me, I’d drop every other woman in a heartbeat. You’re the one who turned me down. So what gives you the right to meddle in my life now?”.
Seth’s expression was so dark it was almost frightening, and Fiora felt a chill of fear.
“You let me do it, Seth! Everything you did to Elaine, you did for me. Don’t tell me you regret it now.”
Seth slammed his fist into the wall, blood dripping from his knuckles.
He didn’t want to admit it, but regret was eating him alive.
He wanted to find me. I loved him so much-if he just treated me a little better, I’d probably forgive him.
Just like always.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find me. When we were together, he’d treated me like a lovesick puppy, never bothering to learn anything about my world.
Now he didn’t even know where to start looking.
Seth drowned himself in bars, losing himself in booze and noise. He used to think my clinginess was so annoying, but now that I was gone, the emptiness was suffocating. The silence was terrifying. No one was there anymore, pestering him with declarations of love.
But that night, in a crowded bar, he heard a familiar argument.
“What are you doing here? After that video you filmed went viral, I nearly died from the fallout!
“I told you, we’re done. Get lost!”
A man grinned, leaning in close to Fiora’s face. “Babe, that was an accident. The tech who fixed my laptop leaked the
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Chapter 7 The Truth Comes Too Late
video, I swear it wasn’t me.
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“You had fun last time, didn’t you? How about another round? I’ve missed you so much. I promise, no cameras this
time.”
Fiora’s mouth said no, but her body betrayed her, melting halfway into the man’s arms as he ran his hands over her.
It felt like someone had clubbed Seth over the head.
Suddenly, everything made sense. All that talk about being kidnapped and the video scandal-it was all a lie.
But what had he done to the one person who truly loved him?
He walked up behind them and called out.
“Fiora. Turn around.”
Fiora and her companion spun around, only to see Seth standing there, looking like a demon straight out of hell.
Fiora’s face went ghostly pale, her body trembling uncontrollably. “Seth, I can explain-”
That night, Seth lost control in the bar, making sure everyone saw Fiora for what she really was.
He had his assistant dig up everything about Fiora’s escapades over the years-turns out, she’d played just as hard as he ever had. The video scandal? She’d only come crawling back because her games had finally blown up in her face.
He’d been a fool.
Fiora was forced to her knees in front of him, and Seth ordered his men to slap her again and again.
When begging didn’t work, Fiora snapped, screaming hysterically.
“So what if I have a little fun? You’re a player, too-why can’t I play the game?
“The only difference between us is that you’re stupid enough to believe you’re some tragic romantic, and you got played. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being an idiot!”
Seth flinched as if she’d stabbed him, then lunged, wrapping his hands around Fiora’s throat to choke off any more
venomous words.
“Shut up. Just shut up!”
Only when Fiora finally fell silent did Seth release his grip, numb and empty.
He pulled some strings and had both Fiora and the friend who’d nearly hurt me thrown in jail.
He made sure their lives behind bars would be a living hell.
He had his assistant hire a private investigator to track me down.
After all that, Seth went to an auction and paid a fortune for a fire opal and diamond necklace.
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He imagined that when he found me, he’d give me that beautiful gift, and I’d be so moved I’d forgive him.
But before he could, he got news that shattered him.
“Mr. Caurell, Ms. Verren has been staying at a hotel lately.
“But she’s not alone. She’s been living there with a man.”
