Chapter 3

It’s been weeks. Weeks of cold nights on a thin mattress, staring at the cracked ceiling of my cell, wondering how I ended up here.

Prisoner.

The word still feels foreign to me, even though I’ve been living it. There’s an ache in my chest, reminding me of the betrayal that landed me in this place.

Eric and Julia—the two people I trusted most—had betrayed me. My husband got me arrested, leaving me to rot here while they lived their happy little lives, free from the consequences of what they’d done.

I run my hand over my stomach, my heart aching for the child growing inside me. Our child. It’s still hard to wrap my mind around it. I’m scared, terrified for this innocent life caught in the middle of this nightmare.

What will I do? How can I protect my baby when I can’t even protect myself?

The prison doors creak open, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"You have a visitor," the guard says.

Slowly, I get up and make my way to the visitation room. For a moment, I hold onto a foolish hope that it might be him, that maybe Eric has had a change of heart. Maybe he regrets what he’s done. But when I get further into the room, I see a familiar face, and my heart is filled with a different kind of relief.

It's Eli.

“Hey, Mia.” He says as he smiles softly, but there’s a sadness in his eyes.

He’s the only person who’s bothered to check on me since this nightmare began, the only person who hasn’t turned their back on me.

“Eli,” I breathe, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I hadn’t realized just how desperate I was to see a friendly face. “I thought… I thought you wouldn’t come.”

I take a seat across him. I feel so glad to see him.

“Of course I came,” he says, leaning closer to me “I’m not leaving you in here alone. I’ll do whatever it takes to get you out, Mia. You won’t have to stay here for long, I promise.”

His words soothe some of the tension that’s been building up inside me, but I can’t let myself hope too much.

“How? There’s nothing anyone can do. Eric and Julia… they made sure of that.”

Eli’s expression darkens, and I see the anger flash in his eyes. “You have no idea how badly I want to make them pay for what they did to you. But you need to stay strong. I’m working on something, okay? You just need to hold on a little longer.”

I nod, wiping at my eyes. “I’m trying. It’s just… hard.”

“I know,” he says “But I’m here. I won’t let you down.”

For the first time in days, I feel a bit hopeful. Eli wouldn’t leave me to rot in here. He’d find a way, somehow.

Eli is my male best friend. We've been friends for years. I know I can always count on him in times of trouble.

“Mia,” he says quietly, almost hesitantly. “There’s something you need to know. Eric… he’s moving on.”

My breath catches in my throat, and I feel the blood drain from my face. “What do you mean?”

“They’re getting married, Mia. Eric and Julia. It’s all over the papers. It's the only thing the blogs have been talking about these days.”

I feel like the air’s been knocked out of me. My heart beats painfully in my chest as his words sink in.

Married.

They’re getting married while I’m in here, locked away like some criminal, carrying his child. My hands start to shake, and I press them against my stomach, trying to calm myself. But it’s no use. The anger spreads through me, burning hot inside me.

“They’re just… living their lives,” I whisper. "After everything they did to me, they’re getting married? They’re moving on like none of this ever happened?”

Eli doesn’t say anything, just watches me. His eyes are filled with pity. But I don’t want his pity. I don’t want anyone’s pity.

“I won’t let them get away with this,” I say, clenching my fists. “I’ll destroy them both. They think they’ve won, but they haven’t seen the last of me. I’ll make them pay.”

Eli sighs. “Mia, I know you’re angry, but—”

“I’m not just angry, Eli,” I snap. “I’m done being a victim. I’m done letting them walk all over me. They’ll regret what they did.”

He nods slowly. “I get it. But don’t do anything rash, okay? Let me handle this.”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. “Fine. But don’t expect me to sit quietly while they destroy everything I have left.”

He gives me a sad smile, then gets up to leave. “I’ll be back soon, okay? Just hang in there.”

As he walks away, I feel the anger settle into something darker, more dangerous.

Revenge. That’s what I want. And that’s what I’ll get.

A few days later, I’m sitting on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall, when the sound of footsteps approaching makes me lift my head. It’s the warden.

My heart pounds in my chest and dread fills me as I wonder what’s coming next.

“Mia,” he says, “You’ve been released.”

I blink in disbelief. “Released? But… how?”

“Someone powerful pulled some strings. You’re free to go.”

My mind races, trying to process what he’s saying. Someone powerful? The only person who’s tried to help me is Eli, and while I appreciate him, he’s not exactly powerful. How did he manage this?

I don’t have time to question it. The warden gestures for me to follow, and I stand on shaky legs.

Could it really be over? Could I actually be free?

When I step outside, I squint in the sunlight, struggling to adjust after so many days in that dark cell. My heart lifts as I look around, expecting to see Eli, ready to thank him. But instead, my gaze lands on someone else entirely.

Alexander Armitage.

I freeze in shock, wondering what the hell is going on. Alexander is standing by a sleek black car, dressed in a perfect suit that hugs his tall muscular frame in all the right places. His shoulder-length hair frames his face, and his deep brown eyes lock onto mine, filled with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.

He’s the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and the power he exudes makes my knees weak. I know who he is—everyone in the city knows who Alexander Armitage is. He’s one of the most powerful billionaires in the world, a ruthless businessman with a reputation that makes most people tremble. He’s also Eric’s biggest rival.

“Ms. Mia,” he says smoothly, walking towards me “I assume you’re wondering why I’m here.”

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. “You… you’re the one who got me out?”

He nods. “I am.”

“Why?” I ask, “I don’t even know you.”

“You don’t need to know me. What matters is that we have a common enemy.” His eyes darken as he says the words. “I know what Eric and Julia did to you. I know how they betrayed you. And I can help you get the justice you deserve.”

I stare at him, feeling my heart race. “What do you mean?”

He takes a step closer, and I can feel the heat of his presence. I can feel the dominance and confidence radiating off him in waves.

“You have two choices, Ms. Mia. You can walk away right now, free from prison but alone in your quest for revenge. Or you can hear me out. Let me help you. Together, we can destroy them both.”

I hesitate for a moment. I'm torn between the strong attraction I feel toward him and the fear of getting involved in something even more dangerous than I already am. But then the memory of Eric and Julia flashes through my mind, and the anger fills me again.

I meet Alexander's gaze, and I know my decision is already made.

“I’m listening,” I say.