Page 43 of The Art of Deception

He stares deep into my watery eyes, then slowly takes a stepback, letting me step inside the elevator. I push the call button frantically as I stare back at Xander, finally seeing the face of the complete and utter asshole who destroyedmy everything.

Our eyes are locked, but nothing’s being said.

My heart’s undeniably breaking into pieces.

Xander.The man I was definitely falling for, but now I can only see the man I despise.

What on earth would drive him to do such a heinous thing?

I have so many questions, but right now, I need to get the hell out of here.

“Tomi, don’t leave like this,” he begs.

My lip curls. “You told me you didn’t want to hurt me. Well…” I exhale, “… epic fail, you bastard.” The doors slowly begin to close.

Xander goes to make a move, but I stand taller, letting him know I’m more thandone.

I’m hurt.

I’m devastated.

But more than that, I’m stunned.

His eyes hold too much—remorse, regret, something I can’t afford to acknowledge. Not now. Not when the pain is splitting me open from the inside out. I can’t let it in. Iwon’t. I need the anger, need it to fuel me, to keep me from shattering completely.

My heart pounds, each beat a reminder of the betrayal sinking its claws into me.

The elevator doors inch closer together, agonizingly slow, like the universe is mocking me, giving him time—too much time—to say something, to do something.

But he doesn’t.

He just watches, his gaze desperate, like he wants to reach out, to stop me, to fix what’s already too broken to mend. There’s a storm of words trapped inside him, fighting to be set free, but he can’t find the right ones—or maybe he knows none of themwill be enough.

The elevator doors inch closer, and his face scrunches, like he is in physical pain, desperate to make a move but frozen to the spot, while the last sliver of light disappears, sending Alex Scott into the dark.

And just like that, Xander is right there with him—oh, the art of deception he weaved.

The elevator jerks as it begins its slow descent, but it’s nothing compared to the violent freefall happening inside me. The weight of everything—his lies, my pain, the crushing betrayal—slams into me like a tsunami, drowning me before I even have a chance to brace for impact.

I stagger, my shoulder hitting the cold metal wall, but I barely feel it. The real pain is inside, tearing through me with sharp, merciless claws. My chest caves, a choked sob ripping free as I crumble. The tears come fast, burning hot as they streak down my face, a brutal reminder of everything I’m trying to hold in but can’t.

I clench my fists, digging my nails into my palms, trying to ground myself in the anger, the fury that’s been keeping me upright.

But it’s useless.

I’m unraveling.

Falling apart, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

He did this to me.

And worse—some part of me still aches for him anyway.

What the hell!

I’m so confused.

I’ve fallen for him—for Xander, but he was only using me.

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