Chapter 4

The lines of communication were open. It started with a text from me.

`Saw this article on new treatments for autoimmune disorders. Thought of you.`

I attached a link from a prestigious medical journal. It was a simple, thoughtful gesture.

Her reply was almost instant. `Thank you, Ryan. That' s so considerate.`

Soon, our texts became more frequent. She' d complain about the rising cost of her medication, and I' d "casually" mention a new pharmaceutical investment my firm was exploring. I was no longer just her ex-fiancé; I was a source of information, a lifeline.

Meanwhile, my public profile was exploding. I was on the cover of Forbes, a recurring guest on CNBC. My face was synonymous with the new face of American energy. And Gabby was my most ardent online supporter.

Every time my company' s social media posted an update, her comment was the first to appear.

`Amazing work, Ryan! So proud of what you' re building!` complete with a string of heart emojis.

It was a public performance of our new "friendship," and it drove Tony insane.

One night, my phone rang close to midnight. It was Gabby.

"I' m so sorry to call this late," she whispered, her voice tight with anxiety. "It' s Tony. He' s been drinking. He saw my comment on your company' s Instagram, and he just... he lost it."

In the background, I could hear his voice, thick and slurred with rage.

"You' re still obsessed with him! Flirting with him for the whole world to see! Do you think I' m stupid, Gabby? You think I don' t see what you' re doing?"

I remained silent, letting the poison seep through the phone.

"I have to go," she said quickly, her voice trembling.

The line went dead.

Five minutes later, she called back. "Ryan, I am so, so sorry you had to hear that."

This was my moment. I could have agreed, could have pointed out what a jealous, insecure man he was. But that was too obvious.

"Don' t apologize for him, Gabby," I said, my tone dripping with false nobility. "I get it. It must be hard for him, seeing us talk. He' s probably just feeling insecure. Maybe... maybe we should keep our distance for a while. The last thing I want is to cause problems in your relationship."

I was defending him. I was making myself the bigger man, the noble martyr stepping aside for her happiness.

And in doing so, I made Tony' s jealousy look petty, controlling, and completely unreasonable. I had just handed Gabby the weapon she would use to tear him down.