hapter 4 Who is the girlfriend?
I glanced down, finding Jeff’s gaze fixed firmly on mine, his grip unrelenting. His voice was low, dangerous, a growl that sent a shiver through me.
“Are you seriously still upset about Bradley going with Hallie yesterday?”
The sharpness of his tone took me by surprise. Jeff wasn’t the type to confront me like this–not openly, not until now.
“Jeff, Bradley’s voice cut through the air, smooth and commanding a blade through
Added to the library
thick tension. His dark eyes locked on his associate, a clear warning in his gaze.
Before Jeff could respond, Hallie sweetly
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interjected, her voice dripping with saccharine innocence. “I’m really sorry, Ashley. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble between you and Bradley. Maybe I should’ve asked first if it was okay for him to join me. And Bradley, you probably owe her an apology too.”
Bradley shifted, confused by Hallie’s sudden about–face. But what he didn’t see–what no one else seemed to–was the subtle smirk tugging at the corner of Hallie’s lips as he turned away. This was all just a game to her, and she was relishing every moment.
“Apologize?” Bradley’s voice darkened, turning cold as he faced me. “For what? Yesterday’s meeled to the dilarary. Hallie’s t deal with the Mancini family could bring in millions for our operations. I was doing business.”
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His words hit like a slap to the face. Our anniversary–the night he had promised was ours, was suddenly nothing more than a casualty of business.
“Of course,” I said, the bitterness in my voice impossible to hide. I yanked my wrist free from Jeff’s hold, forcing a smile that barely held together. “No need for an apology, Bradley. I need to go.”
Without another word, I turned and walked out of the room, my heart hammering in my chest. As the door clicked shut behind me, I could still hear their voices in the distance.
“Bradley, she’s clearly upset. You should say something,” Hallie’s voice floated through.
“She said no apology was needed!” Jeff’s frustration was evident, cutting through the air.
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“What? You think-”
“Enough,” Bradley’s voice came down hard, cutting them off. “She just needs some time. Let her cool off.”
I clenched my fists, the cold night air sharp against my skin as I stepped outside. His words, that cold dismissal, sank deeper into me than I was willing to admit. I flagged down a cab, my thoughts spinning wildly as it whisked me toward my apartment.
Ridiculous.
How could Bradley dismiss me so easily? How could they all act like I was the one overreacting–just some jealous, irrational girlfriend?
But the truth was glaringly clear. I wasn’t
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imagining things. Bradley had been putting Hallie first more and more. His focus had shifted entirely, and with every instance he dropped everything for her, I felt myself becoming smaller, less important.
Tears stung my eyes, and I couldn’t stop them from slipping down my cheeks. I fought against the sobs, but the pain was sharp, unbearable.
Bradley: [Are you home yet?]
I glanced at my phone, his message standing out in the notification bubble. Without a second thought, I closed it and tossed the phone onto my desk.
My apartment felt like a stranger’s. It was as though I no longer belonged here. The place felt abandoned, untouched, and it had been so long since I’d truly lived in it. Dust
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had accumulated everywhere, a sign of how distant I had become.
After what felt like hours of cleaning, I finally collapsed onto my bed, drained. Just as I was on the verge of sleep, my phone buzzed again.
Bradley. [The dinner tonight didn’t go so well. We’ll need to invite them again to smooth things over.]
I didn’t even bother to read it. I stared at the ceiling, my mind spinning. The phone buzzed again, but I ignored it.
Instead, I opened InstaPic. The first
post that appeared caught my attention. (@Hallie.Clark)
It was a photo of her in the back of Bradley’s armored SUV. He was staring out the
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window, phone in hand, while she leaned against his shoulder, her smile radiating victory.
The caption read: [Thank you to my favorite partner in crime. Always looking out for your number one.]
It had been posted less than two minutes ago, marked as private for close friends only.
I scoffed. So, this was it. She was making her move, staking her claim. Fine. Let her have him. It didn’t matter anymore.
With a cool, detached smirk, I typed a quick response: [Congratulations, you deserve it.]
I hit send and tossed my phone aside, determined to close this
[unbing–chapter–export] Chapter of my life for the night. Tomorrow, I’d figure out what to do
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next.
+5 Points)
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