CHAPTER 4: Leverage

My initial plan was to reclaim the annual f*e I had been paying for The Pink Girls Code to help Stella. The sorority required a yearly membership f*e, and I had been covering hers.

When her family ran into trouble, I stepped in without hesitation. In our social circle, canceling this membership was a humiliation. 

I composed a carefully worded message to Royal, the organization’s president: 

‘Tell your assistant not to charge Stella’s annual f*e to me anymore. I also won’t be covering any of her sorority expenses. You should contact her directly regarding her membership dues.’ 

Royal’s reply came faster than expected: ‘Did something happen?’ 

I hesitated. Could I trust her? Two of my closest friends had already betrayed me, and I wasn’t sure if Royal would do the same.  

After careful consideration, I followed my intuition and typed: ‘Kyros is having an affair with Stella. They’ve been intimately involved for some time now. They don’t know that I discovered already.’  

Her response came almost instantly, with a worried tone: ‘Are you okay? Did you break up with him? Let’s meet tonight.’ 

Feeling overwhelmed by her many questions, I just gave a simple reply: 

‘I’ll be at your office at 8. I haven’t had any rest.’ 

When I returned to the villa, it was already the next day—lunchtime.  

Kyros’ car was parked outside. He must have heard my car approaching because he opened the door before I could press the security combination.

“How are you feeling, babe?” he asked, his voice warm. “I’ve prepared lunch for us.”  

Then, as if rehearsed, he picked up a fresh bouquet of roses from the table near the door and handed them to me.

“I couldn’t wait to see you, so I rescheduled my morning meeting.” 

I took the flowers, my movements calm, almost indifferent. I might have believed him if I hadn’t known what he had done last night. But the weight of his betrayal was still fresh; every moan, every betrayal I’d accidentally witnessed the previous evening, replayed vividly in my mind. 

Kyros didn’t notice anything off. He assumed my silence was just exhaustion from my hospital shift and gently touched my forehead. “Are you feeling ill?”  

“No,” I replied flatly. “I just need sleep.” 

Without question, he led me to the couch, knelt, and gently removed my shoes. His hands moved to my feet, massaging them with quiet care.  

“Do you want to eat? By the way, the wedding planner contacted me yesterday. She’s inquiring if you’re available for wedding dress shopping this weekend,” Kyros said casually.  

He had hired a planner to handle every detail of our wedding meticulously. All I had to do was make a few choices and wait for the day to arrive.  

I contemplated revealing my knowledge of his infidelity immediately—confronting him with the painful truth I had discovered. But where would the fun be if I exposed him so quickly?  

“I’ll handle communications with the wedding planner moving forward,” I murmured. “I know you’re busy at the office, and I should be responsible for certain things.”  

He pressed a kiss to my leg. “You’re an amazing bride, Gazelle. Anyway, I’ve already taken leave for a one-week vacation next week.” 

I shut my eyes, hoping he’d take the hint—I wasn’t in the mood to talk. I didn’t acknowledge his sudden vacation plans and didn’t confirm or react.  

Several minutes passed before Kyros stood and exited the room. That’s when his phone rang, vibrating from where it lay on the center table. I glanced at the screen. Only two letters were visible—S.M.  

Stella Mercer.  

When Kyros returned to the living area, he answered immediately. I quickly closed my eyes, feigning indifference, though my stomach twisted into knots.  

I had seen that caller ID before, but this was the first time it made me feel sick.  

“What happened?” Kyros asked, his voice steady.  

His ability to maintain such calculated poise while speaking with Stella in my presence was truly remarkable. I had no doubt Royal’s team had already informed her. I felt Kyros’ gaze linger on me.  

“Understood. I’m on my way…” he muttered before hanging up.  

He turned to me. “Babe, I apologize, but I need to leave. Some urgent matters require my attention at the office. I’ll see you tonight.” 

He went upstairs to change while I headed to my bedroom, carefully thinking through my next move. 

Stella has been living in the sorority’s apartment. Now that I’ve canceled her annual f*e, she must have already received the news of her eviction. This calculated move would force Kyros into a position where he must openly provide financial assistance to her—precisely what I intended.

Maybe that’s why Stella doesn’t dare provoke me the way other mistresses do.  

My phone rang after I stepped into the tub to wash up. It was her. I answered with deliberate casualness.

“Stella?” 

“Gazelle, what happened? There must be some misunderstanding, right? Why did you cancel my sorority membership?” Her voice trembled.

I adjusted my tone to sound regretful and resigned. “I’m sorry. After two years away from the Sinclair mansion, my dad cut off my credit cards. I’m just a doctor, Stella. I can afford my own membership, but I can’t cover yours anymore. Don’t you have a job? Why don’t you pay for it yourself like you used to?”  

If anyone overheard our conversation, they would’ve scoffed at her audacity—expecting me to fund her lifestyle when we both had jobs.  

But I knew the truth. She couldn’t afford it.  

The sorority’s annual membership f*e amounts to five million dollars. It covered a personal assistant, conditional residential privileges, a lawyer, a personal accountant, trips, and substantial charitable donations.

Yes, it was a luxury—being a member of The Pink Girls Code was nothing less than extravagant. 

“Gazelle, the administration gave me a seven-day extension. If I don’t pay within that time, I’ll be forced to leave the apartment immediately.” 

That wasn’t my problem.  

“You knew this was coming. At least you have a week—that’s plenty of time to find a new place.”  

She was in tears when the call ended. But I didn’t care. At this point, I was sure no one would help her except Kyros. And that was precisely my plan—to back them into a corner together.  

Just as I was about to sleep, Kyros knocked on my door. I had already changed into my pajamas.  

“I’ve been informed about your actions regarding Stella,” he said anxiously. “I can provide you with the five million for her membership.”  

So that was his plan—to use me as a front so it would seem like the money was still coming from me.  

I met his gaze with quiet scrutiny. Seeing my reaction, he suddenly seemed to realize that his offer showed unusual concern for another woman.