The cab ride back to the penthouse was a blur of frozen tears. I needed to show Silas the anonymous text message. *Did you enjoy the gift? Run while you still can.* Someone framed me. He had to listen to reason.
I pushed my key into the front door. It clicked open.
Soft jazz echoed from the living room.
"Silas?" I called out, stepping into the foyer.
He stood by the marble island, pouring wine into two crystal glasses. He didn't even look up.
"I told the guards to revoke your access," he said, his voice flat.
"Silas, you have to look at my phone," I pleaded, walking toward him. "Someone sent me a threat right after you left the ballroom."
A woman giggled from the hallway.
I froze in my tracks.
Blair stepped into the kitchen light, wearing my white silk robe. Silas’s ex-girlfriend.
"What is she doing here?" I demanded, pointing a shaking finger at her.
Silas handed Blair a glass of wine. "She lives here now. You don't."
"We broke up two hours ago!" I yelled.
"And I wasted zero time fixing my mistake," Silas fired back. "Pack your trash and get out of my home."
Blair leaned against Silas’s chest. She looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes.
"Silas, she's scaring me," Blair whimpered, clutching his shirt.
"You set me up," I said, closing the distance between us. "You faked those photos to ruin my wedding!"
"Stop it, Liora!" Silas stepped in front of Blair, shielding her. "Don't you dare project your filth onto her."
Blair reached into the pocket of my robe. She pulled out a folded stack of papers and tossed them onto the counter.
"Show her, Silas," Blair sniffled. "Make her face what she did to me."
I glanced at the documents. Medical letterheads. Psychiatric evaluations.
"What is this nonsense?" I asked.
"Proof," Silas snarled. "Proof that you threatened Blair three years ago. You forced her to leave the country so you could take my bed."
"I didn't even know you three years ago!"
"Liar!" Blair sobbed loudly. "She told me she would ruin my family if I didn't disappear. The panic attacks, the medication—it's all because of her."
"She’s insane!" I shouted, staring at Silas. "Are you actually believing this garbage?"
Silas slammed his glass down. The stem snapped, sending red wine spilling across the white marble.
"On your knees, Liora."
I blinked, sure I had misheard him. "Excuse me?"
"Kneel," he commanded. "Apologize to Blair right now. And you will compensate her for every medical bill she ever paid."
"I will do no such thing," I retorted, lifting my chin. "I never threatened her. I never cheated on you."
"Your lies sicken me."
"Look at the dates on those papers, Silas!" I argued. "I was in college in Boston three years ago. I didn't even live in this state."
"You have money," Silas shot back. "You hired thugs to terrorize her."
"I was on a scholarship!" I stepped forward, reaching for his arm. "Please, Silas. Just look at the text message on my phone. Look at the facts."
He yanked his arm free.
His hand swung through the air.
His palm crashed into my jaw. The impact was brutal, far harder than back at the ballroom.
I slammed into the edge of the counter, my knees buckling instantly. I hit the floor hard. A warm, metallic liquid pooled in my mouth. I spat bright red blood onto the pristine tiles.
"Silas!" I choked out, clutching my throbbing face.
He stared down at me, his eyes devoid of any warmth. "I told you not to touch me."
Blair stepped over my legs. She crouched down, a vicious smirk playing on her lips before she masked it with a fake pout.
"You brought this on yourself, Liora," Blair whispered so only I could hear.
She stood back up and wrapped her arms around Silas's waist.
"Don't upset yourself over her, baby," Blair cooed.
Silas walked over to the entryway table. He picked up a velvet box, a set of keys, and gestured to a row of designer shopping bags.
"Blair, come here," he called out, his tone softening instantly.
She sprang up and trotted over to him.
He popped the velvet box open. A diamond necklace glittered under the chandelier. The engagement gift he promised me last week.
"For you," Silas said, fastening the jewels around Blair's neck.
"Oh, Silas!" Blair squealed, kissing his cheek. "It's gorgeous."
He pointed to the orange Hermès bags by the door. "Those are yours, too. And the keys to the new Porsche in the garage. Take them."
"Wait," I managed to say, pulling myself up using the counter. "Those were for us. For our future."
"There is no future," Silas mocked. "These belong to a woman who actually deserves them."
Blair traced the diamonds resting on her collarbone. She picked up one of the expensive handbags and slung it over her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Liora," Blair said, flashing a wicked grin. "I'll take excellent care of your leftovers."
I wiped the blood from my chin. My chest hollowed out. The man I loved was gone, replaced by a cruel stranger.
"You're going to regret this, Silas," I said, my voice barely a rasp.
"Get out before I call the police," he replied, turning his back on me completely.
I didn't argue. I turned around and walked out the door, leaving my keys on the console table.
I stumbled out of the penthouse and into the freezing elevator.
As the metal doors slid shut, my phone vibrated in my clutch.
I pulled it out, smearing my own blood across the cracked screen. Another message from the unknown number.
*You lost the fiancé. Want to know who really took those photos? Meet me at the docks in twenty minutes.*
