Not Your Scapegoat Again

"You're locking me up, Simon?!" My voice cracked, pure rage.

His eyes went cold. "Don't blame me. You did this to yourself."

The basement was freezing, damp, lit by one sad little bulb.

Simon stood in the doorway, shadowed and unreadable.

"You're staying here till the trial," he said, all ice.

The second he finished, his guys shoved me in.

I slammed into the wall—pain shot through my shoulder.

"Ugh—"

I winced, biting back the sound, glaring up at him.

Simon paused, then muttered for them to untie me.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a necklace, glittering with diamonds.

"Heidi..." His voice tried for soft. "I had this made for you. Think of it as... goodwill."

He held it out, the gems catching the dim light, all sharp edges and fake promises.

I didn't budge. Just stared him down.

"What, trying to bribe me now? Afraid I'll run?"

His smile cracked. He sighed. "I still have feelings for you."

I laughed, short and sharp. "This how you show love? Framing me for your side chick and tossing me in a basement?"

He tensed, about to speak—then Nancy's voice rang out from the stairs.

She rushed down and snatched the box like it was hers. "Ooh, what a gorgeous necklace! Simon, is this for me?"

Simon blinked. "Nancy, that's for—"

"I don't care. I want it!" She clipped it on, pouting. "Heidi's heading to jail. No point wasting something this pretty on her."

Simon glanced between us, then gave Nancy a soft smile. "Alright. If you like it, it's yours."

But Nancy wasn't done.

She yanked off her old, crusty chain and held it out to me with a smirk. "Well, if she's losing her gift, she should get something back. This can be Heidi's necklace."

Simon brushed past her spite and turned to me. "See how thoughtful Nancy is? I really think you two could get along."

I looked at that sad little chain and let out a sharp laugh.

Simon kept talking. "And since Nancy's pregnant and you..." He paused. "The doctors said you probably can't have kids. So I've decided to end our engagement. I'm marrying Nancy."

I'd braced for it, but it still cut deep.

"But don't worry," he rushed in, like that made it better. "I'm not heartless. Once you're out, I'll set you up with a place and a job. After all, we did—"

I laughed, cold and bitter. "You really think I'd believe a word you say?"

Nancy clung to his arm, smug. "Heidi, don't be so dramatic. Simon's being nice. What guy would want a woman who can't have kids?"

I clenched my fists, nails digging in till it hurt.

Good. The pain kept me sharp. Kept me from snapping.

This wasn't the moment to fight back—yet.

Late that night, the basement door creaked open.

I looked up, frowning.

Nancy strutted in, heels clicking, smirk locked in.