Page 85 of Accidental Fiancé

She opened the door and slipped through it, leaving me hollow and heartbroken. I leaned against the wall, the silence of my childhood room pressing in on me like a weight. I had poured my entire heart out yet I still lost her.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Not when I could still feel the taste of her on my lips, the salt of her tears lingering in my mouth, and the ache in my chest where hope had once lived. Her scent lingered in the air like a ghost.

I had fought for her, for us. But sometimes love wasn't enough to hold on to someone when they were determined to leave. I learned that in my first marriage. Britney had made it clear that what I wanted didn’t matter when she had an affair with an old business partner. After she left me for him, it hurt, but it was nothing like this, nothing like what I felt for Maggie.

It wasn't real love.

I sank down on the edge of my bed, the world outside continuing to turn without me as I grappled with the realization that it was over.

Chapter 31

Maggie

My heart pounded louder than the thud of my suitcase against the polished wood floor. Ornate chandeliers above flickered in the midday light, casting pale shadows that danced across the walls of the mansion. It felt surreal, the opulence surrounding me now. A strange reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.

As if I needed to be reminded that this was not my world.

This was the world of people like Chloe. People like Julian. The ones who never had to struggle for a damn thing in their lives.

With one last deep breath, I tightened my grip and lifted the luggage, feeling the handle dig into my palm. I began my descent, each step feeling like another farewell. A final goodbye to the life I had wanted to cling to.

I couldn't believe I was leaving, but after everything with Julian, I knew it was time. It was beyond time. No more playing pretend. No more lies. Bryant’s lived in reality.

As I reached the foyer, alert faces lingered near the grand entrance. Chloe stood at the center, her arms crossed, an imperious smirk plastered across her face. Eager to brag about her triumph, no doubt. Marcus leaned casually against thewall, his expression unreadable. Apollo fiddled with his phone, pretending not to notice the tension brewing in the air.

The dead would have noticed it.

“Look who's finally leaving,” Chloe said, her voice dripping with mockery. “I was starting to think you'd never get the hint.”

I was done backing down from her. I set my luggage on the floor and raised an eyebrow. “Always full of nice things to say, Chloe.”

“Always good to see the trash taking itself out.”

“Oh, are you leaving, too?”

She looked me up and down. “That’s a nice outfit. What’s that old saying about putting lipstick on a pig?”

“Unsure, but I remember the word for women like you thought it’s impolite to use outside of a kennel.”

Marcus and Apollo snorted and smirked but said nothing.

Chloe snapped, “You never belonged here, you know. You can dress up and pretend to be one of them, but we all know the truth.”

I took a steadying breath, feeling the weight of her words but refusing to let them crush me. “Imightnot belong here, but youdefinitelydon't.”

Her smirk faltered for a moment but she quickly regained her composure. “Oh? And what makes you say that?”

“You're as much of an outsider here as I am.” I stepped forward, a fire igniting within me. “You hide behind your designer clothes and your snide remarks, but we all see you for what you are. You think you're better than everyone else, but you have nothing but cruelty to back that up, and cruelty is the weapon of the weak. I only wish I had realized that sooner.”

“Now you listen here?—"

“No, Chloe, I’m done listening to you. You're pathetic, and you’re small, and when you get what’s coming to you, I’ll be there to make sure it sticks.”

The space between us crackled with friction, my declaration clinging to the air itself. I glanced at Marcus, who looked as if he were about to step in, but I held up a hand to stop him. This was between me and Chloe.

“And by the way,” I continued, my voice steady. “I finally figured it out.Youstarted that rumor about me and Mr. Poundstone.”

Chloe's eyes widened for a split second before the mask slipped back into place. “What are you talking about?”

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