Chapter 8
After my divorce from Riley, life finally settled into a calm rhythm. The new company I invested in took off quickly, and for that, I owed everything to Nicole-my rock, always supporting me without question.
“Alora.”
One afternoon, Nicole showed up holding a tabloid, grinning. “After that scene we caused, Riley’s reputation is toast.”
That day, someone had livestreamed me catching the mistress red-handed. Overnight, I gained a wave of fans-wom- en who admired my decisiveness, calling me a role model for modern women.
Nicole laughed, shaking her head. “Honestly, Alora, I didn’t know you had it in you. Even I’m impressed.”
But then her tone shifted, softening. “Still, I know how much pain you’ve been through. I get it.”
Nicole understood better than anyone how deeply I’d loved Riley.
Back in the day, when Riley tried to cut corners and nearly landed himself in jail, it was Nicole who stepped in and saved us.
She was the one who handed over her hard-earned money to help us start from nothing.
“Alora, I’ll say this only once,” Nicole told me.
“No matter who you choose in the future, I’ll support you. But there’s one thing-he can’t have a criminal record.
“If Riley ever screwed up again, you had to leave him. No second chances.”
Those early days, building a business from scratch with Riley, were brutal. Some days, my first meal was a glass of whiskey-and my last was too. I was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning more times than I could count.
But Riley was allergic to alcohol.
So I was the only one who could handle the business deals over drinks. Every time I ended up in the hospital, Riley would sit by my bed, eyes red from crying.
“Alora, I’m so sorry!
“I’m worthless!” He’d slap himself, blaming himself for my suffering.
Eventually, we landed our first big contract, bought our first house, and our first car.
Our tiny team of a handful grew into a company with over a thousand employees. Somewhere along the way, Riley forgot where we started.
Now, reading all the criticism about Riley online, my phone rang.
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Chapter 8
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“Alora.”
It was Brody.
“Riley’s in the hospital.”
I stayed silent.
Brody continued, “Simon sold Jasmine’s old house and ran off with his girlfriend. Riley’s company has been bleeding money. He didn’t want Jasmine to suffer, so he tried to do what you used to do-go out drinking for business. But…”
Riley ended up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning.
As for Jasmine, she took advantage of his weakness, ran off, cashed out his 10% of the company shares, and van- ished. No one could find her. The doctor called Brody, and now Brody was trying to play peacemaker.
“You and Riley were together for 12 years. We all saw it. Can’t you just…”
In the background, I could hear Brody’s girlfriend snapping.
“You’ve got some nerve calling Alora! I told you back then, you never should’ve covered for him. Just let Riley rot!”
Brody started arguing with her, but I cut in, “Brody.”
I knew Riley was listening on the other end.
I wasn’t just speaking to Brody-I was speaking to Riley, too.
“My decision’s final.
“Cheating isn’t a one-time mistake-it’s a stain that doesn’t fade. I’m not in the business of taking back someone else’s trash.”
And with that, I hung up the phone.
