Chapter 3

FLORENCE’S POV

For eight years, I had laid flowers on Jade’s gravestone on the anniversary of her death. But clear as day, I saw her on my screen, flirting with my husband and snuggling up to him while he laughed. 

I watched him as he looked at her with a smile he hadn’t given me throughout our marriage, and my heart sank. The illusion—my game of house—was shattered. 

My world spun around me as I tried to make sense of the situation. Was this woman really Jade? 

If that really was Jade, my “best friend” had some explaining to do. Where had she been all this time? How did she survive? 

And Mason. If Jade was truly alive, he would definitely toss me aside, just like he always did when we were kids, just like today.

A fresh batch of tears stung my eyes when an uglier thought crept in: what about my father? If Mason left me, I wouldn’t be able to ensure my father’s safety in prison.

I glanced around at my belongings, realizing how difficult it would be to scrape together the money for Marco. 

I texted Mason again. Please answer. I prayed.

Then I got his text.

“Working.”

Normally, I would have waited quietly for him to finish, like I always did. But this time, my problem was urgent. And the person with my husband wasn’t any random woman, she might be my perfect friend, Jade. 

The one Mason had loved for so many years.

I stared at those two people on the screen and let out a bitter laugh.

Working. 

Liar.

Jade’s death, Mason’s sadness, and my years of hope and love, all dissolved into a cruel joke. They dazzled in spotlights while I kept waiting in the shadows like a pathetic clown.

Like they always did in our childhood. Only this time, they were even crueler.

Anger took over me—for Mason, for Jade, but mostly for me. How could I have been so stupid? 

Before marrying Mason, I was thriving as a public relations agent at Langston & Royce. But the pace of the industry was so fast that just a few months out of it would make you outdated. 

And I had been out for five years.

If my life as a housewife was coming to an end, I knew what I needed.

I still had a few friends in that world… friends I hoped I could still rely on.

I searched her name, my fingers hesitating before pressing the call button. Five years. That’s how long it had been since we last spoke. Since I walked away from my career and straight into a marriage she warned me against.

The phone rang once before she picked up.

A pause.

Then, a wary voice. “Florence?”

I swallowed. “Annalise. Hi.”

Another pause. Then, a sigh—exasperated, tired. “Wow. Five years of radio silence, and suddenly I get a call?”

I deserved that.

“Look, I know I don’t have the right to ask, but… I need your help.”

A beat of silence. 

Finally, she sighed again, softer this time. “You’re a piece of work, Flo.”

I let out a nervous laugh. “I know.”

She muttered something under her breath before saying, “What do you need?”

Relief crashed over me. Annalise was still Annalise—blunt, stubborn, but ultimately, my friend.

“A job. And I’ll take anything, I swear, even entry-level is fine, but…” 

“Flo. Stop. I might be annoyed, but I still love you. You’re too smart for some entry-level crap, so I’m going to get you the best of the best.” 

I could have cried. It had been so long since anybody had shown me such kindness. I thanked her and hung up, grateful for a friend like Annalise. 

She was the only friend who begged me not to marry Mason. The others were seduced by the lifestyle, but Annalise knew something I was too blind to see. She was also the only person to stand by me after Jade’s death. Mason was heartbroken, and all my other friends stayed away from me so the police wouldn’t question them. 

How could I cut ties with a friend who treated me so well for a man who didn’t even love me?

I wiped my tears and got up off the floor, where I’d apparently been all night. The sun had come up without me realizing it. 

I dragged myself to bed, still wearing the clothes I’d been in all day, and took a nap. A few hours later, I managed to choke down a few pancakes and a coffee before going to my wardrobe to see which pieces I could sell for some extra cash. 

Right then, my phone rang. 

“Hello?” 

“Flo! You are not going to believe this. I really am the best!” 

I smiled. “Annalise. You found me something?” 

“I found you THE thing. Blackwood PR. They saw your numbers and want to give you a trial run.” 

“Oh… wow! That was fast!” 

“Told you I’m the best. Meeting’s tomorrow at 10. Wear your Gucci!”

She hung up instantly, not even waiting for a thank you. Typical Annalise. 

I went to my laptop and looked up Blackwood PR. They had a track record working with some really high-fashion luxury brands. Just my thing! As I scrolled their website, I noticed a familiar name… 

Raiden Black. Owner. 

Raiden and I had worked together at Langston & Royce PR before… everything. He and I were the perfect team—an unstoppable force. We solved problems and got things done like nobody’s business. 

So when I left, I didn’t just walk away from a job—I abandoned my partner.

I didn’t think about the weight I left on his shoulders. I didn’t think about how unfair it was to him, how he had no warning, no backup plan.

Because I didn’t want to think about it.

I had been so desperate to marry Mason that I turned my back on everything and everyone else. One morning, I just handed our boss my resignation and disappeared. I avoided his calls, ignored his emails, and convinced myself that if I just closed my eyes, the problem would stop existing. 

But now, staring at his name on the website, I felt confronted. And guilty. 

I didn’t want to bother him again, but my father’s troubles couldn’t wait any longer. And I must ensure that I had my own income, in case Mason ever wanted me to make room for Jade. 

Whatever awkwardness lay ahead, I’d have to face it. 

***

As I stepped out of the elevator and into Blackwood PR, nerves twisted in my stomach. My mind was racing, but I forced a smile as I approached the reception desk.

“I’m here to see…” 

“Raiden?” a voice came from behind me. 

I turned around, and sure enough, there was my partner in crime. The same sharp jawline, piercing eyes, tousled black hair, and commanding presence I remembered from all those years ago. 

“Welcome back,” he said, pulling me into a hug.

It was a bit strange—comforting, but strange. He stepped back and his gaze lingered long enough to make me feel like I was being studied.

“Thank you for having me,” I managed, my voice breathier than I intended.

Before I could say more, a woman strode toward us. Tailored blazer, perfect hair. “Florence,” she said, extending a hand. “Blake Lawson. I’m your group leader.”

I shook her hand. “Raiden spoke highly of you,” she continued with a slight tone of condescension. “It was his decision to bring you on board. I’ll admit, I was a little surprised.”

“Surprised?” I asked, a bad feeling sitting in my stomach.

“Given your absence from the industry, I mean,” Blake said smoothly. “But of course, if Raiden believes in you, who am I to question it?”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. Her tone was polite, but she clearly thought I didn’t deserve this chance. 

“Florence’s work speaks for itself.” Raiden stepped in. “She was one of the best in the business, and I’m confident she still is.”

Blake’s smile tightened, but she didn’t argue. She gave a curt nod and excused herself, leaving me alone with Raiden.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For defending me, for hiring me… and for trusting me, even after I—”

“Left without a word?” he finished, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I winced. “Yes. I’m sorry. It was… irresponsible.”

“It’s fine. Now that you’re back, it seems my waiting has been worth it.”