His Most Beautiful, Cruel Lie

When Curtis returned to the penthouse, he found me with red, swollen eyes.

He pulled me into his arms, his eyes filled with pain.

"Destiny, I'm sorry."

"The conglomerate was facing a hostile takeover. I had to return to New York and take over as CEO. But your background… it couldn't bring any benefits to the group. The board would never have allowed me to marry you."

I couldn't listen anymore. I pushed him away, tears streaming down my face.

"So you married someone else? Curtis, what were these seven years? What about our promises?"

Curtis looked down at me, his expression shifting back to the calm authority of a CEO.

"Destiny, I am the CEO of the Van der Meer Group. I have responsibilities. My union with Victoria is a business marriage, beneficial to both our families."

He paused. "Victoria said that as long as you behave, she can pretend she doesn't know you exist. You can stay by my side."

Fresh tears blurred my vision as I looked up at him.

Curtis bent down and wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb.

"Destiny, you've been with me for so long, I won't let you be wronged. I'll give you an ocean-view villa in Malibu and a cushy job as the group's art consultant."

I slapped him. Hard. As he stared at me in shock, I grabbed my backpack and ran out the door.

There were no taxis around. I walked for what felt like an eternity before finally flagging down a passing car.

My phone buzzed. A message from Curtis.

"Destiny, don't be unreasonable. My art consultant position is a job anyone in this company would kill for. I'm giving you three days to think about it."

Then, his assistant transferred five million dollars to my account.

In the past, to maintain his persona as a destitute man, he would only give me little trinkets from flea markets, which I cherished. All this time, it was me scrimping and saving to help him. And now, he was throwing five million dollars at me.

I didn't reply. I just sent the money right back.

I had planned to leave this heartbreaking city immediately, but I soon discovered that all my credit cards had been frozen.

I had no choice but to hide in a cheap motel.

I thought I could find a way to slip away.

I was too naive.

In just one day, the story of how a social climber crashed a charity ball to latch onto a tycoon's heir had spread like wildfire across North America.

Walking down the street, I could feel hostile glares coming from all directions.

Whispers followed me everywhere.

"Look, that's her."

"She looks so plain, yet she has the audacity to go after the future Mrs. Van der Meer."

"I heard she's just some unknown designer. How delusional, thinking she could marry into a wealthy family."

I was his lover of seven years, and now I had become the other woman everyone condemned.

I couldn't let them smear my name like this.

I gathered everything from my seven years with Curtis—our emails, photos, and the cheap ring he gave me—and mustered the courage to go to the Van der Meer Group headquarters to confront him.

I couldn't even get past the main entrance.

The head of corporate security blocked my way, his eyes filled with disdain. "We deal with corporate matters, not personal disputes. Your attempt to threaten the safety of a senior executive is beneath our notice."

I refused to give up, standing outside and arguing my case.

The commotion attracted more guards.

The security head glanced at me, his voice icy. "The union between our CEO and Miss Victoria is crucial for the future and stability of both conglomerates. Anyone who attempts to undermine this alliance will face a lawsuit of astronomical proportions."

"Get out of here. Now. Or you will be arrested for trespassing."

His cold words shattered my last shred of hope.

I finally understood. In the face of absolute power, my truth was just a joke.

My phone rang again and again. It wouldn't stop. Finally, I gave in and answered.

It wasn't Curtis. It was Victoria.

"Poor, pathetic Destiny," she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "We need to talk, little thing."