His Betrayal, Her Shattered Heart

areer was over, but my dying mother had secured a perf

away. He and his mistress t

ia

nst a wall. The fall didn't just shatter my world; it ca

t, he took my si

looked at the man I once sacrifice

this for the re

him and d

he found me, a broken man

he eye and gave h

second chanc

pte

den

else, leaving Julia to wither. My breath caught in my throat, a ragged, desperate sound I barely recognized as my own. I s

crying and pleading. My hands, trembling uncontrollably, reached for his design

iliar hardness. He pulled away, his movement subtle but firm, severing the last physic

e emotion. It was the same tone he used when dismissing a failing acquisitio

e rose, cracking with disbelief. "That heart was for Julia! My mother's la

sant drama is unbecoming." He glanced around the deserted hospital corridor, as if fearful someone mig

d spent her final days ensuring Julia would live. She'd found a donor, secured the match, orchestrated everythin

voice echoing off the silent walls. "It was Mom's l

I had to get to the hospital administrator, to the doctors, to anyone who would listen. This co

e going?" he demanded, hi

arm free. "I'm going to make them give it b

ing to fix. The heart is being prepared for its recipient as we speak.

ared at him, truly stared, as if seeing him for the first time. The man I had loved, the man I had married,

e. "You don't care that Julia is dying. You don't care that my mothe

sual mask of disdain. "Don't be ridiculous, Hayden. I care about you. But this... th

It reminded me of countless other times he' d belittled my feelings, twisting my reality until I qu

ittle sister is lying in that room, fading away, and you

d from behind him. "Is everything alright, darling? You kn

yn. Of

esigner dress impeccable. She moved with an effortless grace that mocked my own broken body. She slipped

her eyes. "You look... unwell. You should reall

er and Kingsley. "What exactly are you handling, Brooklyn? Are

, a light, tinkling sound. "Hayden, darling, don't be so dramatic. It's a si

ain in my side. I ignored it. "You call it a mix-up when you manipulate my hus

ough! You are out of line!" He took

man I loved was about to strike me, protecting her. The realization hit me like a

ice shaking. "Go ahead! Do it! Because nothing you

ned into his shoulder, a soft sob escaping her lips. "Kingsley, don't.

was all that m

alm now. "I'm done. I'm done with you, Kingsley

gsley' s eyes widened, a flicker of genuine sho

mor in his voice. "Don't be absurd. You're j

rt. "This isn't something I'll 'sleep off.' It's over. You chose her.

ter everything? After what I've done for you?" He gestured vaguely at my prosthetic leg

stood by me out of guilt, Kingsley! Not love! And I saved your life! I l

p pain in my side intensified, a visceral ache spreadi

nly making things worse for yourself right now. You need to calm down." Her eyes, however, held a triumphant glint. "Don't you understa

my gut. Another death? She saw Julia's potential demise as

of his daze. "Hayden, I told you, the heart is gone. It's already being used.

hythm. I stumbled back, my prosthetic leg catching on the edge

e a desperate prayer. "Jul

lyn clinging to his arm, a smug look on her face. The image of t

Kingsley towards the elevators. "The doctors n

at me, a smirk playing on her lips. Her eyes

ed up, ignoring the throbbing pain, ignoring the way my prosthetic l

oor. My desperate pleas dissolved into broken sobs. I watched, helpless, as the elevator doors slid shut, taking Ki

loor. "No! No! NO!" The word ripped through me, a primal scream

elt like a dead weight. I fumbled with the straps, trying to secure it, tears streaming down

he same elevator Kingsley had just taken. It was Brooklyn, alone this time. She walked toward

yet laced with venom. "I thought you'd have

demon. You absolute demon. Give me back that heart, Brooklyn. I'm begging you. What

this?" She leaned in close, her breath warm on my ear, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You know, the funny thing is,

so potent it threatened to consume me. A business deal? Jul

heek with a sickening thud. The force of my blow sent her spra

iek, clutching her face. "Yo