Chapter 3

I studied Kimberli, a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me. On the surface, she was everything Christian had always played up: sweet, innocent, almost fragile. But beneath the facade, I sensed a steeliness, a calculating glint in her eyes that betrayed her carefully constructed vulnerability. My gaze flickered to Christian. His jaw was tight, a nervous tic working at his temple. He was worried I' d make a scene. My lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile.

"Not at all," I said, my voice smooth as silk. "Christian's friends are always welcome. Especially old friends." My smile didn't reach my eyes. "Please, make yourself at home."

Christian visibly relaxed, a sigh escaping him. "See, I told you Annie was understanding, Kimberli." He beamed at her, then turned to me. "Kimberli's made us dinner tonight, sweetheart. She's quite the chef."

My stomach lurched, but I maintained my composure. Christian couldn't even bother to hide his blatant disregard for me now. He was so consumed by his "true love" that he neglected even the pretense of respect.

"Wonderful," I replied, my voice flat. "I'm sure it's delicious."

Kimberli giggled, a high-pitched, saccharine sound. "Oh, it's nothing special. Just something I whipped up. Christian said you love organic, gluten-free, low-carb meals, so I tried to make something healthy for you!" She presented two plates. One, laden with a colorful array of grilled vegetables, lean fish, and quinoa, she placed in front of Christian. The other, a meager portion of what looked like boiled chicken and plain rice, she set before me.

"And for you, Annie," she said, her smile unwavering, "I hope you enjoy this. I know how particular you are about your diet." She even fluttered her eyelashes at Christian, who nodded approvingly.

I looked down at the plate, a wave of nausea sweeping over me. The boiled chicken was flavorless, the rice clumpy. It was an insult, a blatant attempt to assert her dominance, thinly veiled as consideration.

"How thoughtful," I said, my voice dripping with ice. I picked up my fork, then set it down with a delicate clink. "Kimberli, darling, did you perhaps forget to season this? Or are you trying to tell me something?" My eyes, cold and sharp, met hers.

Kimberli's innocent facade crumbled instantly. Her eyes welled up, and her lower lip began to tremble. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Annie! Did I do something wrong? I can make you something else! Anything you want!" Her voice was laced with a practiced vulnerability, designed to elicit sympathy.

Christian, predictably, scowled at me. "Annie, what is wrong with you? Kimberli made this with love. Don't be so ungrateful!" He turned to Kimberli, his voice softening. "Don't worry, sweetie. Annie's just been a bit stressed lately."

My jaw dropped. Ungrateful? He was actually defending her. Over me. After everything. He was truly blind. Blinded by his own ego, by the illusion of a pure, untainted love.

"You know what?" I said, pushing my chair back with a scraping sound that echoed in the suddenly silent room. "I've lost my appetite." I stood up, my gaze sweeping over Christian, then Kimberli. "Enjoy your dinner, you two."

I walked towards the kitchen, a cold fury simmering beneath my controlled exterior. Christian called out my name, but I ignored him. I needed water. I needed to escape. He saw my retreating back, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, a momentary pang of... something. But it vanished quickly, replaced by a self-satisfied smirk as Kimberli snuggled closer to him.

"She's so difficult, isn't she?" Kimberli purred, stroking his arm. "But don't worry, Christian. I'll take care of everything. So, about the wedding plans... Are you still going to ditch her at the altar like you said?"

Christian's eyes hardened, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Of course. It's all part of the plan, my love. She's served her purpose. Now it's time for her to go."

The words, cold and sharp, resonated through the open kitchen door. I froze, my hand hovering over the faucet. They hadn't even bothered to lower their voices. They were celebrating my downfall, right in my own home.

A single tear, hot and stinging, traced a path down my cheek. My purpose. My purpose was to be used, to be humiliated, to be discarded. The weight of his betrayal, raw and agonizing, settled over me once more.

I walked to the trash can, my movements stiff and deliberate. My engagement ring, a sparkling diamond that now felt like a shackle, slipped off my finger. I stared at it for a moment, then dropped it into the bin. It clinked against glass, a small, final sound.

"I'm feeling unwell," I announced to Christian later that night, my voice flat, devoid of emotion. "I think I need to rest. I won't be joining any social events for the next few days." It was my escape, my way to pull back, to process, to plan.

Christian, ever the manipulator, feigned concern. "Oh, Annie, you poor thing. I'll stay with you. I'll take care of you." He appeared at my door, bearing a tray with a glass of milk and some dry toast.

I watched him, a cold amusement bubbling beneath the surface. His performance was flawless, almost convincing enough to make me doubt what I' d heard. Almost.

"No, Christian, it's fine," I said, my voice muffled, feigning a cough. "I just need some quiet. You and Kimberli... enjoy yourselves. Really." I waved a dismissive hand.

He hesitated, then nodded. "If you insist. Just get some rest, my love. I'll be right here if you need anything." He gave me a saccharine smile, then closed the door, leaving me in the dim light. I heard his footsteps retreat, then the faint murmur of voices, and Kimberli's laugh, again.

Later, much later, the door creaked open again. Christian slipped in, a worried frown on his face. "Annie? Are you awake?" He flipped on the bedside lamp, bathing the room in a harsh glow.

My eyes, still closed, fluttered open. I saw him, standing there, his shirt slightly disheveled. And then I saw it. A faint red mark on his neck, barely visible beneath his collar. A fresh hickey. My stomach churned.

I quickly averted my gaze. "Christian? What is it?"

"Just checking on you," he said, his voice soft. He sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for my hand. "You had me worried."

I pulled my hand away, feigning discomfort. "I told you, I just need rest. And... and if you're going to be in here, could you perhaps... not? I hear Kimberli's in the guest room. Wouldn't want to make her uncomfortable, would we?" The words, a calculated jab, rolled off my tongue.

Christian blinked, his brow furrowing. "Uncomfortable? What are you talking about, Annie? She's just a friend." He sounded genuinely bewildered, or perhaps, just a very good actor. "And why are you suddenly so... distant?"