Chapter 12
The video played on a loop in my mind, each detail a fresh wound. My family s reputation, my future with Bryant- everything I had worked for was at risk of falling apart.
I couldn’t let this happen. If this was shown publicly, then I won t have a face
anymore.
My fingers moved on instinct, scrolling through my contacts until I found Gabriel’s number. He answered on the
third ring, his voice smooth and
unsettlingly calm. “Amanda. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“What‘ s with the video? Why do we have a sex video? Why did you record them? You asshole!” I yelled.
There was a beat of silence, followed by a laugh–low, cold, and mocking. “Oh, that, yeah. I thought you wouldn’t ask about
Chapter 12
that.”
My blood ran cold. “It was you,” I whispered, realizing it. “It wasn‘ t Nadia. It was you all along.”
“Of course it was me,” Gabriel said, his tone laced with amusement. “Did you really think I’d just let you marry Bryant and move on with your perfect little life?”
I gritted my teeth, tears stinging my eyes. “Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” he said smoothly. “Don’t marry Bryant. Come back to me. We can start over, Amanda. Be the couple we were meant to be. Oh, and one more thing–your family‘ s company will continue supporting mine.”
I let out a bitter laugh, though it sounded more like a sob. “Are you insane? Why
would I ever do that? I don‘ t love.
you
anymore, Gabriel!”
“Love?” He chuckled, the sound sending
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chills down my spine. “Love has nothing to do with this, Amanda. It’s about
control. And I always get what I want and there is no way that Bryant would beat me!”
I opened my mouth to argue, but another. notification popped up on my phone–a folder filled with more videos.
My stomach churned as I opened it, horror washing over me. There were more. Dozens of them. Different nights, different angles. All of them showing the same thing -Gabriel and me, intimate, vulnerable.
I couldn’t stop the tears this time. They spilled over as I clutched the phone, my breaths coming in ragged gasps.
“You bastard,” I whispered.
“You‘ re in no position to insult me,” Gabriel said coolly. “Now, let me make this easy for you. Do what I say, and these videos stay between us. Defy me, and I‘ 11 make sure the whole world sees them.
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Imagine the headlines, Amanda. Imagine what your precious parents would think. Imagine what Bryant would think.”
I closed my eyes, my mind spinning. The scandal would destroy me. My family’s reputation would be in shambles, and Bryant… he’d never look at me the same way again.
“What do you want me to do?” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper.
Gabriel’s tone turned smug, triumphant. “Come to my apartment. Tonight. We‘ 11 talk, face to face.”
I hesitated, my heart pounding. Every fiber of my being screamed at me not to go, but what choice did I have?
“Fine,” I said, the word tasting like ash
on my tongue.
“Good girl,” Gabriel said, and the line.
went dead.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the
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a blur. When I pulled up outside his building. I hesitated, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Part of me wanted to turn around, to go back home and forget this. nightmare. But the thought of those videos. being exposed kept me rooted in place.
I took a shaky breath, stepped out of the car, and walked to his door. The door swung open just as I raised my hand to knock.
Gabriel stood there, half–naked, wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung low on his hips. A smug grin spread across his face. as he leaned casually against the
doorframe, as if he’d been expecting me to admire him.
Before I could say a word, he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me inside, slamming the door behind me.
“Gabriel-” I started, but the words were cut off as he forcefully pressed his lips to mine.
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