Chapter 2 Shattered Trust

Deborah's Point of View

Deborah ran out of the ballroom, her shoes clicking on the marble floor. Her breaths were rough and sharp, and her heart pounded in her chest. The air outside bit her hot flesh as her fists tied by her sides.

She didn't turn around. Not once.

But Bill's visage, with his trembling voice, his lies woven into every word, and his eyes wide with shame, tormented her.

He believed she was unaware.

He believed she was blind.

She had seen everything, though. a few weeks ago.

The messages sent late at night. His shirts are stained with lipstick. The covert phone conversations that ceased as soon as she entered the room.

She caught him after that.

in her home.

beside Carla.

The image was ingrained in her memory. Like a trophy, Carla draped over him. Deborah remained motionless in the doorway as his shirt unbuttoned and his lips touched the skin of another lady.

At that time, she had remained silent. simply turned around and left.

But this evening? The last cut occurred tonight.

Her voice caught in her throat as she whispered into the night, "You ruined everything."

She called for a cab and slipped into the back seat, encircling herself with her arms.

"Where to, ma'am?"

"Anywhere but here."

The golden lights of the ballroom, the music, and the man she had referred to as her true love were all gone when the cab pulled off.

Despite her best efforts to control herself, she started crying as she gazed out the window. Drops fell silently and furiously down her cheeks.

She had sacrificed everything for him. Her faith. Her affection. Her future.

And without hesitation, he crushed it.

Her cell rang. Curiosity overtook out even if she didn't want to see.

A message. Unknown figure.

"You believe Carla was alone?"

Her heart ceased beating.

As she clicked the message open, her hands trembled. No name. No picture. Only one picture.

Bill. with a different female. Not Carla. Another person. Blond. younger. draped in a darkened lounge across his lap.

The timestamp? last week.

Deborah felt sick to her stomach. A knot of unpleasant violence.

Sucking in a breath, she clutched her chest as the treachery engulfed her completely, causing her to collapse over in the seat.

He didn't simply turn on her. He portrayed her. Again and again.

The cab stopped moving.

She gave the driver her address without realizing it.

Her fingers curled around her keys as if they were her only weapon as she stepped outside, her legs weak.

She slammed the door behind her as she rushed into her flat.

It was very quiet inside.

Sobs ripped from Deborah's chest and reverberated through the void as she collapsed to the ground.

She remained that way for some minutes. Hours, perhaps.

Until no more tears were shed.

Just fury.

Slowly, she got to her feet. went to her bedroom on foot. She went to her dresser to retrieve the little wooden box.

It included the final traces of her romance with Bill-a picture of the two of them on the beach.

A ring.

He once gave her a handwritten note that read, "Forever, I promise."

She ripped the picture in two.

threw the ring in the garbage.

And burned the message in her sink.

No more assurances. No more falsehoods.

She was finished.

Once more, her phone rang. It was Naomi, her closest friend.

Deborah paused before responding.

"How are you, Deb? I recently learned of the events that took place. Saying that you had a breakdown in front of everyone, Carla is rambling.

Deborah gave a shaky breath. "I didn't lose my mind. I awoke.

Naomi muttered an expletive. "Tell me everything."

He betrayed me. Not only with Carla. And with someone else.

A long pause ensued.

"I'll be over."

"No. I must be left alone.

Naomi remained silent. "All right. He doesn't get to break you, though, so pay attention. Do you hear me?

Naomi was unable to see Deborah nodding. "Yes."

She went to her desk after hanging up. Pen to paper, heart to bits, her hands moved quickly.

A letter. To Bill.

Bill

Don't give me a call. Please refrain from texting me. Stay away from my door.

I was broken by you. However, you won't get another chance.

She was worth it, I hope.

Deborah

She folded it. Put it in an envelope and sealed it. One word was used to mark it: Goodbye.

Deborah personally delivered the letter the following day.

Ignoring the doorman's worried look, she approached Bill's modern apartment building and gave it to the front desk.

"Ensure he receives it," she stated icily.

"Ms. Carter, of course."

Then she walked away.

However, she noticed a person leaning against a black automobile as she crossed the street.

Carla.

wearing a dress that is crimson. Grinning.

"Are you already leaving him?" With her arms folded, Carla yelled. "I didn't anticipate you cracking this quickly."

Deborah came to a complete halt.

Hersing, "What do you want?"

Carla's heels clicked as she took a step forward. I was just curious whether you-Bill? He's not merely unfaithful. He is a complete liar. Do you believe you know him? You don't.

Deborah's voice trembled with rage. Why are you with him, then?

Carla gave a gloomy laugh. "Who said I was? All I wanted to do was ruin him. The bonus was you.

Deborah's jaw dropped.

"Hold on-what?"

Carla's breath was frigid as she moved close. The wrong individuals were crossed by Bill. I only assisted in administering the penalty. However, you? The collateral is you.

Deborah stepped back, her heart thumping. "What are you discussing?"

Carla grinned. "You'll see in due time."

The tires screeched as she got into the car and drove away.

Deborah was motionless on the pavement.

There was a problem.

Absolutely incorrect.

Deborah found her front door cracked open when she got home that evening.

She gasped.

Her heart thumping, she carefully pushed it.

Other for the one object on her kitchen table, everything inside appeared to be normal.

Her love note was destroyed.

The margins are still burnt.

And there's a red card underneath it.

Five words: "He is not who you believe."

Deborah took it up with trembling fingers.

Her phone then rang.

blocked phone number.

She replied.

The voice of a man. deep. chilly.

Deborah, you're in danger. Leave. or burn alongside him.