Chapter 6 Betrayed Chapter 6 Betrayed " Selly ? " I was coming back from the grocery store , right outside my place , when I suddenly heard someone call my name , I looked back , my face stiffening . Talia . The image of her hugging Jericho , that smug smile of hers - it all kept flashing through my mind . I thought I'd let it go after these past few months . But seeing her now , I knew ... I hadn't moved on . I just covered up the scars for a while . r'd jus I froze , every part of me cold and rigid . Talia walked over like she hadn't noticed a thing . " Selly ! I knew it was you ! " The street was noisy , but I could still hear the sharp strike of her heels on the pavement . It took me a few seconds before I managed to speak . " Talia ? What brings you here ? " Only then did I notice how hoarse my voice was . She walked up to me , all smiles . " Business trip . And you ? Still working in real estate ? " My heart skipped a beat . How did she know that ? Back then , sales was the only job with any special qualifications but still gave me a shot at making real money . It was tiring , and I had to put on a fake smile for clients , but Jericho's medical bills were astronomical . If it meant he'd wake up , none of it seemed like a big deal . But I didn't last long in that job . I got fired after an accident . I thought it was my own fault and blamed myself for a long time . I glanced up and met Talia's usual smile , but suddenly it felt like a sneer aimed at me . " Have you been digging into my life ? " I asked without thinking . She flicked her hair and said with a grin , " Me ? I'm not that capable . Jericho's the one who's been watching you . " My eyes widened . He knew how much I was working ?! But he never showed up . It felt like something inside my chest just cracked . My heart felt like it split into a hundred pieces . " But you know ... " +5 Free Coins 1/3 P Chapter 6 Betrayed Talia said slowly . Tm the one who suggested Jericho stay out of sight ." I stared at her , my eyes going wide . She scoffed . " What are you so shocked about ? Don't tell me you believed Jericho loved you . " With your looks and your brain ? Do you really think you deserve someone like him ? And by the way , that sales job you lost ? I'm the one who told Jericho to mess with you . " Remember that manager , Billy William ? " Her words hit me like a thunderclap thrown into a calm lake , sending shockwaves everywhere . Billy was my supervisor when I worked in real estate . As a rookie , closing a single deal was tough . To win over clients , I'd head out before sunrise to buy them breakfast and wait at their doorstep . I even looked after their elderly , cleaned toilets , tidied up their houses , and picked up their kids after school . Just as I was about to sign the deal , Billy snatched my client away . He took the big commission while I'd basically done all the work for him . Then it got worse . He started stalking me . One night , he attacked me from behind . If a passerby hadn't shown up , I would've been done for . And the worst part ? I didn't even have time to press charges . I had to work and save up for medical bills . Fighting a lawsuit would've drained me of time and money . I couldn't afford it . He gave me some hush money , insisting we settle it privately . I had no choice but to accept . +5 Free Coins But the next morning , during the team meeting , he told everyone that I was just bitter because the client chose him over me and that I'd made up the harassment claim to extort him . The chat records of me accepting the money became the so - called proof . I lost my job , and worse , I was even detained . When I got out , I felt like I had nothing left . When I returned to my rental , the landlord had thrown all my belongings in the trash and locked me out . I just stood there , staring blankly , thinking I had to be the most miserable person alive . That day , I almost jumped off the rooftop . Then the hospital called . The doctor told me Jericho was showing signs of improvement - his eyelids twitched. He told me to hang in there , that anything was still possible . Those words pulled me back from the edge . But in the end , it was all a lie . 2/3 10.19 AM Chapter 6 Betrayed Even Billy was part of their scheme . How did Jericho feel watching me humiliated , spiraling into despair ? He was probably wrapped around Talia , laughing at my foolishness . Did he feel even a shred of pity for me ? No. If he did , he wouldn't have let me fall into such a terrible situation . Even that hospital call was just part of his twisted idea of fun . Like teasing a dog . I was nothing more than a dog to him and Talia . The thought made me laugh bitterly . Tears ran down the corner of my mouth . Bitter . Jericho , you made me suffer so much . If you never loved me , why couldn't you just let me go ? Why torment me like this ? " Argh ! " My desperate cry echoed through the empty street . +5 Free Coins 3/3