Chapter 11
aw my bruised face and wanted to go settle the score.
Adrian saw my
I said forget it.]
This time he ignored me–killed a hundred–million–dollar deal with the Ashworths.
One slap, one hundred million.
Month later, Mrs. Ashworth called to apologize.[]
Before I could speak:]
“This isn’t about the contract. I genuinely sorry.”
“I know.”
Silence on her end
I knew Blake would recover.
Years of crushing on him–nobody knew Blake better than me.]]
He responded to challenges, not coddling. Reverse psychology worked every time.[]
Apparently he became the perfect patient. Took every pill, ate every meal even when it made him sick.]
Endured every side effect without complaint. Took electroshock therapy without making a sound]
Mrs. Ashworth thanked me about twenty times after telling me this..
I hummed acknowledgment. “Don’t contact me again.“]
Life went back to normal.]
Gallery shows, vacations with friends–pure bliss.]
Complete opposite of Vivian’s situation.
Blake divorced her the second he got out.
Let her cry, let her beg–just pushed her away coldly]
“I don’t owe you shit.“|]
“You’re getting exactly what you deserve.”
She lost it completely.]
Drank herself into a stomach hemorrhage at some dive bar.
Next morning they found her naked in the alley behind it.]
Photos went viral nationwide.
She begged Blake to save her reputation. He said: “Not my problem.“[]
Vivian killed herself.
Left some rambling suicide note online.
But people dug up her history real quick–how she’d paid to spread my assault video everywhere, how she’d watched me jump. and done nothing.
Watching the footage, my feelings were complicated.[]
Never knew she’d been there that day.[]
Kinda glad I didn’t succeed now.
Would’ve missed all the good stuff
The Ashworths attended her funeral out of obligation.
But stayed quiet about why she’d really died.]
Some reporter asked: “Mr. Ashworth, the deceased claimed you cheated throughout your marriage with a college girlfriend. Any truth to that?”
Blake stopped walking. “Absolutely not.“]
Stared right into the camera. Stone serious.]
I clicked off the TV.
Leaned into Adrian. “Well, that saves us PR fees. He’ll clean up
on his
own mess.”
Adrian grunted.
Ice cold.
Pulled his hand away.
I couldn’t help laughing
Poked his cheek. “Stop being jealous. Want me to call and tell him to quit mentioning me?”
He grabbed my wrist immediately. “Like hell you will“]
-D
Next few years, Blake and I barely crossed paths.[]
Occasional business meetings–polite nods, that’s it.[]
He’d stand by windows, lost in thought.[]
Might’ve been my imagination, but he always looked haunted.[]
Six months later.. Blake was dead
Bathroom suicide.
My phone pinged with a delayed email.
From: Blake.
[By the time you read this, I’m already gone. Sorry to disappoint you again–I never got better. No special reason. Just couldn’t forgive myself]]
[Thought long and hard about sending this. Don’t worry, nobody knows. My public note doesn’t mention you. You’re the only one who knows why I really did it.]]
[You were right–I was a coward. I pitied you, felt sorry for you, but never had the balls to stand up for you. Every time I joined in trashing you, it ate me alive. But I kept doing it anyway. Got used to it eventually. Fucking disgusting.
[After you left, I kept praying you’d found happiness. Thought maybe then I could forgive myself. But hearing how much you’d suffered… realized I’d never balance those scales.]
[If I could go back to that day you begged me for help, I’d say yes. I’d protect you. Too late for all that now. Maybe we get a do–over next time around.]]]
[Hope the rest of your life is everything you deserve.]
[Someone like you should get the whole world.]]]
[As for me… I belong in hell.]]
End of message.
My chest felt tight.
Adrian asked what was wrong.
Showed him the phone.]
He went quiet for a long time. Wasnt jealous this time–just sighed.]
“Adrian, let’s send flowers to his mom.”
“Yeah. I’ll handle it.”
