Chapter 2

2

A security guard finally took pity on me and called an ambulance.

On the way to the hospital, I kept calling Xander's phone. It was constantly busy.

I even tried calling his assistant, but there was no answer there either.

The paramedic saw me breaking down and offered me his phone to use.

Xander must have blocked my number or set it to ignore my calls.

I dialed his assistant's number from the new phone. The moment she heard my voice, she hung up.

I began flooding Xander's messages on social media, but every text went unread.

The doctor told me that besides the bruises and cuts, I had a minor fracture that needed rest.

But my mind wasn't on my physical pain. It was entirely on Xander.

Later that evening, I saw the truth on Serena's social media page.

Her latest post was a high-quality photo of Xander down on one knee.

They were hugging while the crowd cheered in the background.

The warmth and love in that room was supposed to be mine. Instead, he gave it all to her.

I sent Serena a private message, asking her why she would destroy a relationship and be the other woman.

She replied almost instantly. "Xander and I have always been in love. He only dated you because you pressured him into it."

"Oh, by the way, Sutton. I really love the square-cut diamond you picked out. It fits me perfectly."

Serena told me that Xander only stayed with me for the industry connections and resources I provided.

After ten years of hiding his feelings, he finally decided he wanted a public life with her.

"Sutton, all I wanted was the proposal," she added. "He'll probably still go back to you for work."

I felt like the biggest fool on the planet. I had used all my power to make him a star.

And now that he was at the top, he proposed to his ex and still expected to use me?

"Serena, I built Xander's career, and I can burn it to the ground," I typed back, my hands shaking.

"If you love him so much, you can have him. I'm done."

I was finished with this calculated, hollow version of love.