Abandoned for a Fake Love

The board meeting documents needed final review before tomorrow's presentation. I'd volunteered to stay late, partly to avoid returning to the house where Leilany now reigned supreme in my bedroom. The empty office felt safer than my own home had become.

I glanced at my watch—9:02 PM. Most employees had left hours ago. The building was quiet except for the occasional security guard's footsteps echoing down the hallway.

"Just a few more pages," I murmured to myself, rubbing my tired eyes.

As I gathered the files from the printer, voices drifted from Mateo's office at the end of the corridor. His door was slightly ajar—unusual for a man who valued privacy above all else.

"I'll handle the board members," Mateo's voice carried through the gap. "You just keep looking gorgeous and lucky."

Leilany's breathy laughter followed. "I'm always lucky for you, baby."

Something in their tone made my stomach clench. I should have walked away. Should have pretended I hadn't heard anything.

Instead, I found myself moving closer to the door, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"Besides," Leilany continued, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper, "what could be luckier than this?"

I heard the sound of a desk chair rolling back, followed by the rustle of fabric. My hand trembled as I pushed the door open wider.

Time seemed to stop.

Leilany perched on the edge of Mateo's desk, her dress hiked up around her waist. Mateo stood between her legs, his hands gripping her thighs, his face buried against her neck.

They turned toward me in unison, but not quickly enough to hide what I'd seen.

"Evie!" Mateo's voice wasn't apologetic or ashamed. It was annoyed.

I stood frozen, unable to process what I was seeing. Seven years together, and he was—

"For God's sake, knock!" Mateo snapped, straightening his tie with practiced nonchalance. "Some privacy would be appreciated."

Leilany smirked, slowly adjusting her dress with deliberate leisure. She made no attempt to hurry or appear embarrassed.

"Sorry to interrupt," I managed, my voice barely audible.

"No, you're not," Leilany replied, sliding off the desk with feline grace. "You wanted to see what you were missing."

I stumbled backward, tears blurring my vision. The hallway tilted around me as I turned and fled.

"Evie, wait!" Leilany called after me, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Let me explain!"

I didn't stop. Couldn't stop. The elevator was too far, too slow. I needed to escape now.

My heels clicked against the marble floor as I rushed toward the stairwell. Fifteen steps down to the next floor. Just fifteen steps and I could catch my breath, figure out what to do.

I pushed through the door and started down the stairs, my vision swimming with tears.

"Evie!" Leilany's voice came from behind me, closer than I expected. "You need to understand something."

I turned to find her standing three steps above me, her expression no longer pretending kindness.

"He's mine now," she said, her voice cold and sharp as ice. "You're just too pathetic to accept it."

"Leave me alone," I whispered, backing down another step.

"No." She descended slowly, closing the distance between us. "I don't think you heard me. Mateo is mine. The company is mine. Everything you thought was yours—it's all mine now."

I felt the edge of the next step behind me. "Please—"

"You should have left when you had the chance," Leilany said, her eyes glittering with malice. "Now you're just in the way."

Her hands shot out suddenly, connecting with my shoulders with surprising strength.

The push sent me backward, off balance. My arms windmilled frantically, trying to catch something—anything—but found only air.

"Leilany!" I screamed as I fell.

The world spun violently. Each edge of each concrete step struck my body like a hammer blow. My hip, my shoulder, my head—pain exploded through me as I tumbled down the unforgiving stairs.

I heard a sickening crack as my right arm twisted beneath me. My head struck the landing with a dull thud that sent darkness creeping into the edges of my vision.

The last thing I saw before consciousness slipped away was Leilany standing at the top of the stairs, watching me with cold satisfaction.

The last thing I heard was her voice, soft and venomous: "Consider this your eviction notice."