ELENA

The turning point came with a photo. My phone buzzed on the marble countertop, and I lazily reached for it, expecting an email or social update.

What I saw instead sent ice straight through my veins.

It was Sebastian Grayson, my husband of ten years, asleep in our California King bed on one of our penthouse.

His face was serene. It's the kind of peace he only seemed to find when I wasn’t around.

But the detail that made my grip tighten on the phone wasn’t his face—it was a single strand of blonde hair resting on his pillow.

It wasn’t mine.

I wasn’t shocked. This wasn’t a revelation; it was a confirmation.

As they said, Rome wasn't built in a day, but it was destroyed in one.

For months, I had ignored the signs—the lingering scent of another woman’s perfume on his clothes, the “business trips” that conveniently coincided with holidays, and the empty warmth in his eyes when he looked at me.

The gifts, extravagant and thoughtless, were his way of throwing guilt money at me to keep me compliant.

What a fucking jerk.

But this photo was different. It wasn’t meant for me. It was sent to me, as if someone wanted to twist the knife a little deeper.

As I stared at the photo, my phone rang in my hand. His name flashed across the screen: Sebastian Grayson.

“Elena,” he greeted, his deep, velvety voice as persuasive as ever. “I have something special planned for us tonight. Meet me at the Grand Eden Hotel rooftop at eight.”

His tone was honeyed, the same tone that used to make my heart flutter. Now it only made my skin crawl. I tightened my grip on the phone and forced my voice to remain calm.

“Of course,” I said sweetly. “I’ve prepared something for you too.”

A pause. His surprise was palpable. “Oh? I’m intrigued. What is it?”

“It’s a surprise,” I replied—my lips curling into a smile so sharp it could cut glass.

Power fucking belongs to those who take it, Grayson.

***

That evening, Sebastian pulled out all the stops. The rooftop of the Grand Eden Hotel was transformed into a spectacle of opulence.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the pergola, the table was adorned with roses imported from Ecuador, and a live string quartet played softly in the background.

The city skyline sparkled around us, the towering buildings bowing to his dominance.

Sebastian stood at the center, his tailored navy suit hugging his tall frame perfectly. His dark hair was slicked back, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd with practiced charm. In his hand was a jewelry box.

“For my wife,” he announced, his commanding voice silencing the chatter of the assembled guests. “To celebrate a decade of partnership, loyalty, and love.”

He opened the box, revealing a necklace dripping with diamonds, the centerpiece is a sapphire the size of a robin’s egg.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Sebastian stepped toward me, his gaze loving as the fucker that he is.

What a creative way to destroy someone's life.

He fastened the necklace around my neck. His hands lingered for a moment, trying to make his touch deceptively tender. “I’m sorry for being so distant lately,” he murmured, his voice low enough for only me to hear.

“Business has been . . . demanding.”

I nodded, slipping into my role with practiced ease. “I understand.”

But the faint scent clinging to his tailored suit told a different story—floral, musky, and unmistakably foreign to me.

Still, I didn’t flinch.

Sebastian’s arm slipped around my waist as he addressed the crowd again, dripping with charisma. “To the woman who has been my rock through it all—Elena, my world would be nothing without you.”

The guests erupted into applause, their admiration for the “perfect couple” palpable.

“Sebastian and Elena Grayson are the epitome of love goals!” a socialite gushed nearby.

“Ugh, I’d kill for a husband who treats me like that,” another chimed in.

Their words were daggers because at least they won't know what it's actually like in my shoes.

I reached into my clutch and pulled out a sleek black envelope. “I have something for you too,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

Sebastian arched an eyebrow, intrigued. He took the envelope, his thumb grazing the edge of the flap. “What is it?”

“Open it in fifteen days,” I said with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “It’s a surprise.”

He chuckled, tucking the envelope into his jacket pocket. “You always think of everything, Elena.”

The night wore on, the crowd eventually dispersing, but Sebastian lingered, his hand on the small of my back. “Let’s head home,” he murmured. “I want to celebrate properly—just us.”

I nodded, excusing myself to the powder room. On my way, I overheard hushed voices near the bar.

“That necklace is stunning,” one woman whispered. “I can’t believe he spent millions on it!”

“He’s setting the bar way too high,” another replied with a laugh. “Where do you even find a man like that?”

A low, bitter voice cut through their admiration. “That necklace is nothing more than guilt wrapped in diamonds.”

I froze, my heart pounding. Peering around the corner, I spotted Lila Monroe, Sebastian’s blonde assistant.

She sipped her champagne with a smirk.

“Sebastian Grayson is good at pretending, but if only they knew . . .” she trailed off, her words dripping with disdain.

I clenched my fists, anger boiling inside me. The fire in my chest burned away the last traces of doubt.

That envelope I’d given him?

It wasn’t an anniversary gift. It was the beginning of my escape. Inside were the papers that would sever our ties, my declaration of freedom from his lies.

For years, I had let him control the narrative, let him make me the silent, obedient wife. But not anymore.

This time, I would write the ending.

And I'll make sure I'm the fucking protagonist.

CHAPTER 3

ELENA

The penthouse was as quiet as a tomb, but the heaviness that coiled in the air was suffocating.

My Louboutin heels echoed against the polished marble as I walked past the lavish furnishings Sebastian and I had chosen together—or so I had thought.

Now, every item seemed like a monument to his lies.

Lila’s laughter rang out from the kitchen, light and confident, cutting through the silent penthouse.

I stopped just before the doorway, listening as she entertained a group of Sebastian’s friends and colleagues.

“A diamond bracelet? How quaint,” sheheaves a theatrical sigh.

“Sebastian gave me an entire Cartier set. Limited edition, of course. He even had it flown in on his jet last month while we were in Paris.”

A murmur of admiration rippled through the group.

“Paris?” someone gasped.

Lila’s smile widened. “Oh, he adores Paris. We spent the weekend at the Ritz. Dinner at the Jules Verne, champagne under the Eiffel Tower—he’s just so thoughtful like that.”

I stayed hidden, my nails digging into my palm as I resisted the urge to storm in and slap that smug grin off her face.

Her words weren’t for them; they were for me. She knew I was listening.

When I finally walked into the kitchen, her eyes lit up with feigned surprise. “Elena! I didn’t see you there.”

“Clearly,” I replied smoothly, my gaze sweeping over the group. “Sebastian has excellent taste in . . . accessories.”

Lila’s smile faltered, but she recovered quickly. “He certainly does. I suppose he’s just a generous soul.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I walked past her, my spine straight, and grabbed a glass of water.

Oh, I’d give anything to pour this down her face.

The air was palpable, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.

None of them will see me fucking break.

Later that evening, Sebastian appeared on the doorway.

Like always, his tailored suit is immaculate and his polished demeanor greeted me like the perfect mask he had worn for years.

“Ready for dinner, darling?” he asked, flashing that signature smile—the one that had once convinced me he was the love of my life.

I picked up my clutch and nodded, my voice steady. “Do you have any late meetings or work commitments tonight?”

Sebastian shook his head, a trace of pride in his tone. “None. Tonight is ours. I’ve cleared my schedule. Nothing will interrupt us.”

For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to believe him, though the nagging doubt in my chest never fully left.

We slid into the back seat of his chauffeured car, the city lights reflecting off the tinted windows. As the driver pulled onto the main road.

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, exuding the same effortless charm that had once drawn me in.

What a waste of a pretty face on an asshat personality.

Yet halfway through the drive, his phone buzzed, and his expression shifted.

His hand tightened around the device as he read the screen, and a flicker of something unreadable crossed his face.

Let me take a very wild, fucking guess . . .

“Stop the car,” he ordered abruptly, and for some reason, a smirk curves into my lips.

This is far too predictable. I would have expected better planning from them both.

The driver obeyed without question, pulling over to the curb. Sebastian turned to me, his face a mask of regret. A practiced one he's done far too many times.

“Elena, I’m so sorry,” he said, dripping with sincerity.

“The board just called an emergency meeting. It’s urgent.”

I tilted my head, studying him carefully. His eyes avoided mine, darting nervously as if afraid of what he might find.

My anger is what he's going to find. But if he keeps this up, next time he'll soon find out how my palm would feel against his face.

“I understand,” I replied softly, calm and even.

“Business always comes first, doesn’t it?”

Relief washed over his face. “Thank you for understanding. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

Without waiting for a response, he stepped out of the car and into another waiting vehicle, one that had conveniently appeared behind us.

Oh would you look at that.

I stayed silent, watching as his car sped off into the night. But I didn’t head home.

"Follow him, please." I murmur to the driver.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Grayson?" He turns to me.

"Did I stutter? I said follow that car." I insist before he finally turns the engine back on and speeds behind Sebastian.

If you're going to make me a piece in your game, don't be surprised if I decide to play, Grayson.

My chest tightened as his car came to a stop, not at the office as he had claimed, but at Lumière, the city’s newest and most exclusive rooftop restaurant.

I stayed in the shadows behind one of the restaurant's pillars, slipping unnoticed into the valet lot.

From my vantage point near the edge of the terrace, I spotted him almost immediately.

Sebastian sat at a secluded corner table with Lila—a name that now burned in my mind like a scar. Her laughter rang out as she leaned in, her hand brushing his with the ease of someone who had done it countless times before.

Rage boiled under my skin, but I forced myself to stay hidden, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. This wasn’t the time to confront him. Not yet.

They toasted with champagne, their glasses catching the soft glow of the restaurant’s romantic lighting.

The way he looked at her, his smile genuine and unrestrained, was a look he hadn’t given me in years.

Talk about some soap opera when they're out here hiding like fuckers.

By the time I returned to the penthouse, the fury within me had settled into something sharper—something colder. A plan.

With this, I hope what you did to me . . . haunts you, my love.

Sebastian walked in hours later, reeking of the faint floral perfume that clung to Lila.

He froze when he saw me sitting in the dimly lit living room, the glow of the city skyline framing me like a ghost.

That's what I would be soon in his life. A fucking ghost he would regret killing.

Later that evening, Sebastian walked into the penthouse with the confidence of a man who believed he had everyone fooled.

His tailored suit was impeccable, but the faint hint of perfume clinging to him wasn’t mine.

I don't wear cheap ones—maybe that's the difference.

“Busy day at the office?” I asked, keeping my tone light as I sip the total opposite of the drinks they had earlier—bloodied, crimson wine.

He stopped in his tracks, startled by my presence in the living room as he takes off his shoes, “Elena. I thought you’d be asleep.”

I gestured to the glass of wine in my hand. “I couldn’t sleep, you know. I had too much on my mind. Like . . . I don't know—where my husband is?”

His smile was forced. “I was going to call, but the board meeting ran late. It’s been one of those nights.”

I tilted my head, studying him. “Board meeting, was it?”

Sebastian loosened his tie, his eyes darting away. “Yes, the shareholders are a demanding bunch.”

I set my glass down and stood, my movements a little too deliberate. “Do the shareholders wear Chanel No. 5?”

His head snapped up, his mask slipping for just a second before he smoothed it back into place. “You’re imagining things, Elena. Maybe you’ve been stressed lately—”

“Don’t,” I said, my voice firm. “Don’t gaslight me, Sebastian.”

His jaw tightened, but before he could respond, I held up a small black box.

“I found this while organizing your study,” I said, handing it to him.

Sebastian stared at the box as though it were a live grenade.

Slowly, he opened it to reveal a collection of trinkets from our early years together: a pressed flower from our first date, a ticket stub from the opera I had begged him to attend, and a silver charm he had gifted me on our wedding day.

He lifted the charm, his voice soft. “You kept all of this?”

I crossed my arms, my expression unreadable—maybe I still have some love for this man, ruthless love and maybe the desire to kill.

“I thought they meant something.”

“They did,” he said quickly, his eyes searching mine. “They still do.”

I let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Do they? Because lately, it feels like I’m the only one who remembers what we once had.”

Sebastian lifted an old concert ticket from the box, the edges worn from time.

His smile softened. “This was from that opera downtown. You wore that red dress, and we danced until they kicked us out.”

His fingers brushed over a polished stone next—a smooth river rock painted with tiny stars.

“And this . . . we found it during that weekend getaway by the lake. You said it looked like the night sky and made me carry it home.” His voice dipped into something gentler.

“We made promises under those stars, didn’t we?”

I watched him quietly, keeping my face unreadable.

"We did, baby. We did." I murmur, a smile etching on my face.

For a flicker of a second, I glimpsed the Sebastian I had loved—the man who once seemed incapable of deceit. The same man I married.

But that version of him was a ghost, drowned beneath his betrayals and his mistress' bed.

“Sebastian,” I said softly, slicing through the lingering silence, “do you ever think about what comes after betrayal?”

His eyes widened, the ticket slipping out of his hand.

You believe this is a game, and you may be right. But if you think you can play it better than me, think again, Grayson.

The penthouse was silent except for the faint hum of the city below.

Across from me, Sebastian sat on the sleek leather couch, an old wristwatch in his hand. Its face was scratched, and the strap was worn, but he cradled it like it was made of gold.

“This,” Sebastian began, his voice softer than usual, “was the first gift you ever gave me, Elena.” He ran his thumb along the strap, his jaw tightening.

“I remember you saved up for months to get this. It wasn’t even my birthday, and yet you handed it to me one evening without saying a word. I thought it was your way of telling me I mattered to you.”

His words pulled at something deep within me, a memory I hadn’t thought about in years. But the emotions tied to it felt distant now, obscured by the chasm that had grown between us.

Sebastian gave a short, bitter chuckle. “I was so sure this watch meant something back then. Silly, wasn’t it?”

For a fleeting moment, I wanted to believe the sincerity in his voice, that maybe he was reaching out. But then my gaze dropped to the faint red scratches on his neck, just visible above the collar of his shirt.

“Sebastian,” I said evenly, pointing at the marks, “what happened to your neck?”

His reaction was instant. Panic flickered across his face before he turned away, fumbling to adjust his collar. “Oh, that? Must’ve been from my boxing session earlier. You know how rough the guys can get.”

I stayed quiet, watching him carefully. His guilt was seeping through every crack in his usually unshakable facade.

But it wasn’t just the scratches. There was a faint, unfamiliar perfume clinging to him—sweet, floral, and unmistakably feminine. It wasn’t mine, and it wasn’t one I recognized.

Before I could push further, Sebastian stood abruptly, his movements jerky. “I need a shower,” he muttered, retreating toward the bathroom.

The sound of running water filled the silence, but I barely noticed. A sharp knock at the door broke my thoughts.

I opened it to find Lila standing there. Her glossy hair fell in perfect waves around her shoulders, and her red lips curled into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Her fitted dress hugged her figure perfectly, and her jewelry—an ostentatious necklace and diamond-studded bracelet—gleamed under the hallway lights.

“Oh, Elena,” she said sweetly, though her tone carried an unmistakable edge. “I didn’t mean to bother you this late. Sebastian left some important contracts at the office, and I thought I’d deliver them personally.”

She held out a folder, but I couldn’t stop my gaze from drifting to her. That same sweet floral perfume clung to her, stronger now, almost overpowering.

I stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. “He’s in the shower. You can wait if you’d like.”

Lila sauntered past me with the confidence of someone who thought they’d already won. She placed the folder on the coffee table, her movements deliberate, and then turned back to me with a smile that made my stomach churn.

“Oh, and I brought him some dinner too,” she added, lifting a basket from her other hand. “He mentioned he skipped his meal earlier, so I thought I’d bring something from his favorite restaurant.”

The smell of the food hit me immediately—pasta and garlic bread from a high-end Italian place Sebastian had promised to take me to tonight.

Lila’s eyes glinted with satisfaction as she watched the realization dawn on me. She didn’t need to say anything else. Her actions were enough.

If this had been a few months ago, I might have exploded—screamed, demanded answers, thrown the basket across the room. But now, all I felt was a cold, hollow ache.

“You’re very thoughtful,” I said calmly, even as my hands clenched at my sides.

Before Lila could reply, Sebastian’s voice called out from the bathroom. “Elena, did you move my cedarwood cologne? I was planning to use it tonight.”

I didn’t answer, my silence speaking louder than words. I wasn’t even sure why he still bothered with such pretenses.

Sebastian emerged moments later, a towel slung loosely around his shoulders. His hair was damp, and his sharp features froze when he saw Lila.

“Lila?” His voice was sharper than I expected, almost accusatory. His eyes flicked to me, unease evident in them.

Lila pouted, feigning innocence. “I came to drop off the contracts you forgot at the office. They’re crucial for tomorrow’s meeting.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “Fine. Leave them in my study upstairs.”

She nodded, shooting me one last, triumphant glance before disappearing down the hall.

Sebastian turned to me, his tone softening. “Elena, it’s late. Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll be up in a bit.”

I nodded without a word, retreating to the bedroom. Once inside, I locked the door and leaned against it, my chest heaving with suppressed emotion.

Walking to the closet, I reached into a hidden compartment, pulling out a small, discreet device. Weeks ago, I’d planted surveillance cameras in the study, not out of paranoia, but because I needed the truth.

I activated the device, and the small screen lit up, displaying a live feed of the study.

What I saw made my blood run cold.