Page 19 of Worship Him

I pull up to a secluded spot just outside the city. The place where Destiny and I shared our first kiss. It's a clearing by the lake, surrounded by tall, swaying trees. Back then, it felt like a sanctuary.

Now, it feels like a graveyard for all the illusions I had about us.

I step out of the car, gravel crunching under my feet. The air is crisp, filled with the scent of pine and earth. I lean against the hood and stare at the water, remembering that night.

"Adam, this is beautiful," Destiny had said, her big, brown eyes wide with wonder as she took in the moonlit lake.

"Not as beautiful as you," I had replied. Her smile lit up the night more than any moon ever could.

That was the moment I knew I wanted her forever.

“Forever,” I mutter to myself, kicking a stone into the brush. What a joke.

I sit on a fallen log, staring at the spot where we shared our first kiss. It was perfect—too perfect, in hindsight. She was radiant, full of dreams and passion. And now? Now she’s a liar with secrets.

I shake my head, feeling a wave of disgust. How blind was I? How could I not see what was right in front of me?

I walk to the edge of the lake, picking up a stone and skipping it across the surface. The ripples remind me of how one lie can spread, affecting everything in its path.

"Cheating on me," I mutter to myself, clenching my fists. "With who? When? How long?"

The memories play out in my mind like a twisted movie reel. All those late nights she said she was working on her clothing line. All those business trips that seemed to come out of nowhere. And I bought it all because I trusted her.

"Stupid," I spit out, hurling another stone into the lake with more force this time. "So damn stupid."

But I'm not here to wallow in self-pity. I'm here to plot my next move. No one makes a fool out of Adam Ryder and gets away with it.

I stand up and pace back and forth, unable to stay still. My mind races with plans for revenge. She won’t get away with this—not after everything we had.

"I’ll destroy her,” I vow quietly to myself. “She’ll regret ever crossing me."

I return to my car, tired of this place and its memories.

Returning to my home feels like walking into a tomb. The grand foyer is eerily silent, the air heavy with the absence of what used to be.

I stride past the empty living room, its pristine furniture mocking me with memories of happier times. The whiskey decanter in my study beckons like an old friend.

I pour a generous glass, savoring the amber liquid as it burns down my throat. I sink into the leather chair, the creak of old leather echoing in the stillness.

I stare at the family portrait on the wall—Destiny and me, smiling like idiots. What a joke. I take another sip, letting the alcohol warm me from the inside out.

My thoughts drift to my company. It’s been a hell of a year, clawing our way back from that PR nightmare. But we’re getting there. Once Destiny is no longer a partner, I can focus fully on restoring our reputation.

She’s been stalling the divorce, dragging it out with her lawyer’s help. But now, I have leverage—the baby she kept hidden from me. The thought ignites a fresh wave of anger.

I imagine her face when she realizes I've found out. The shock, the guilt—she deserves every bit of it. She thought she could hide this from me? Not a chance.

"Out of my life," I mutter to myself, swirling the whiskey in my glass. "Out of my company."

I picture the boardroom without her shadow hanging over it. The relief it’ll bring to finally cut ties completely. No more shared decisions or awkward meetings.

My phone buzzes on the desk, pulling me out of my thoughts. It’s an email from my lawyer—details about an upcoming meeting. Perfect timing.

I skim through it quickly before tossing the phone aside. We’ll push for that court date and use every trick in the book to expedite this mess.

The sooner she’s out, the better.

Leaning back in my chair, I let out a slow breath, feeling a grim satisfaction settle over me. Destiny thought she could playme, but she underestimated just how far I'd go to protect what's mine.

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