Chapter 4
Rachel felt her head spin, her thoughts grinding to a complete halt. She didn’t want to even imagine what entering a hotel room could mean.
A small part of her still clung to hope, telling herself maybe Benjamin. was just helping Angelina back to her room.
However, that fragile hope was shattered the moment she reached the doorway and heard muffled moans and the sound of running water through the thin wall.
She didn’t barge in. She was already humiliated enough, so why would she make herself look even more pathetic? Pressing a hand over her mouth to stifle the sob threatening to escape, she stumbled out of the
hotel.
That night, she sat on the couch by the window and stared blankly into the darkness until morning. Over and over, her mind replayed what might have happened inside that room. The ache in her chest was unbearable.
The next day, Benjamin finally came home. His clothes were wrinkled, stained with something she couldn’t place, and his whole body reeked of Angelina’s perfume.
Rachel’s eyes were bloodshot from crying. She stared at him and said,
You slept with her.
His hand froze mid–motion as he tugged at his tie. After a pause, he said, “I’m sorry. I know I was wrong. But last night she drank something she shouldn’t have. The drug was too strong. I was the only one who could help her…”
2004-
Chapter 4
“But you still did it. You have a fiancée. Did you forget that?” Her voice trembled as she stepped closer, her restraint cracking.
Benjamin rubbed his temples, exhausted from a sleepless night. His patience was thin. “I told you–it was just to help her, and it won’t happen again. Stop overthinking. I’m going to marry you. The wedding is coming. up soon, so stop acting out.”
With that, he turned and left, slamming the door behind him, as though she was nothing but a nuisance.
As the sound echoed through the apartment, Rachel’s legs gave out. She crumpled to the floor, tears spilling freely even as a bitter laugh escaped her lips. She felt utterly ridiculous. She had always known Benjamin only stayed with her out of obligation, so why had she kept hoping for more?
She had no idea how long she sat there before she finally dragged herself to bed, falling into a heavy, dreamless sleep.
Suddenly, Benjamin yanked her awake. He pulled her up without warning and dragged her out to the car, no matter how much she struggled.
“Benjamin, what are you doing?”
He sped down the road, his face dark and voice cold. “What am I doing? I warned you not to make trouble. Why did you take those bed photos to blackmail Angie?”
Her mind reeled. “I didn’t do that!”
“Who else could it be?” His voice was tight with fury, every word biting. “She left her resignation letter this afternoon and went straight to the rooftop. If anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive you.”
30221
2240
Chapter
By the time they reached the hospital, he had already dragged Rachel upstairs to the rooftop. Angelina sat dangerously close to the edge.
Onlookers had been kept downstairs. Up here, it was just the three of
them.
Benjamin’s eyes were glued to Angelina, his voice soft, pleading. “Angie, I brought Rachel here. She’ll promise not to release the photos. Please come down. It’s too dangerous up there.”
He didn’t even give Rachel a chance to explain. He had already decided. she was guilty. The sharp sting in her chest was worse than any wound. Her voice came out cold. “I said it wasn’t me.
Angelina stood up, tears brimming in her eyes. Her voice was fragile yet deliberate. “Dr. Garza, if those photos are leaked, my reputation will be ruined. If that happens, what’s the point of living?”
Benjamin’s panic deepened. Still holding Rachel’s wrist, he edged forward, voice trembling. “Angie, don’t do this. I swear, I won’t let the photos get out…
Step by step, he inched closer. When he was within arm’s reach, he suddenly let go of Rachel and lunged, pulling Angelina back to safety.
The force of it knocked Rachel off balance. Before she could steady herself, she slipped and plunged from the fourth floor.
Everything slowed. Her last sight was Benjamin clutching Angelina protectively in his arms. It was a scene that cut deeper than the fall itself.
Weightlessness consumed her. Against the backdrop of the clear blue sky, she shut her eyes in despair.
The pain when she hit was sharper than she had ever imagined. She didn’t
AND
Chapter 4
even have time to cry before the darkness swallowed her whole.
