Chapter 122
+25 BONUS
“You’re absolutely right. I took a bullet for you–same one you fired at me behind my back,” Sophia drawled, her voice rife with bitterness.
Jealousy and the sting of Alex’s betrayal twisted inside her like a dust devil, tangling her emotions so tightly she couldn’t tell where anger ended and heartbreak began.
“Fine. I’m scum.” Alex waved a dismissive hand.
“Marco’s the white knight, and I’m the filthy liat slinging thud at him. Are you satisfied now?”
The self–mockery in his voice practically dripped off every word.
Fighting for vindication felt like screaming at a brick wall, given the lack of trust from the other side.
“What’s with the attitude? Trying to imply I’ve accused you unfairly?” Sophia’s brow furrowed.
“Not at all,” Alex said, letting out a weary sigh.
“I’m the big bad wolf, right? Badmouthing the good guy, doing all the dirty deeds. Bask in your victory, if that helps.”
“Bastard!” Sophia finally snapped, her frustration boiling over.
She hadn’t expected him to be so spiteful.
Maybe this was the real Alex, laid bare now that their marriage was just ashes.
Alex cast her a long, haunted look, the words echoing inside his head:
You stabbed me with words I trusted. I bled silently in the betrayal you called justice. 1
‘Is this what two people who once loved each other have come to–tearing each other apart like wounded animals?
At what point did they stray so far from the happiness they once chased, giving in to poison instead of peace?
“Sophia, let it go,” Marco cooed, sliding in with a carefully practiced look of concern.
“We’ve always known who he is: some broke, uneducated grunt, ex–military. You couldn’t honestly expect him to act like a gentleman.” His words bit like frost, and Alex braced himself.
Marco wasn’t through. His best imitation of sympathy tugged a corner of his mouth.
“He’s acting out because he’s jealous of us. Let’s face it, he’ll never be anything successful like me–and I don’t hold that against him. Folks make mistakes. I just wish he’d learn to love himself more than he envies others.”
“Now do you see the difference between you two?” Megan chimed in, sneering. “He’s downright repulsive, and Marco’s a saint in comparison.”
Alex pressed his lips into a flat line.
“I am who I am,” he replied.
“You can see me as the devil incarnate if it makes you happy. Doesn’t change a thing about me standing here, being… well, me.”
“Ha! Do you think you are an angel?” Megan scoffed. “Look at this self–righteous drivel. You’re only sp pretty words to cover up your guilt or your sad, sorry self–esteem.”
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Chapter 122
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She laughed, “I get it poverty bruises a man’s pride. That’s what makes people like you so disgusting Always pretending you’re above it all when you’re knee–deep in misery.”
Alex’s eyes met hers, wom–out and done fighting.
“You don’t know me. You only know whatever sorry picture you’ve painted in your head. Not my problem.” He shrugged, didn’t bother waiting for their backlash.
He simply stood and walked away from the table, like stepping out of a bad joke.
A few tables over, a tall, wiry guy with eyes like a snake joked his chin at someone across the room.
They clearly had a plan in mind.
Draining the last of his wine in one gulp, the stranger sauntered toward Sophia’s group with a smug grin plastered on his face.
“Well, would you look at that,” he drawled, eyes fixed on Sophia. “Seems my day just got a whole lot brighter.”
He licked his lips, stepping closer than any polite stranger should. “Hey there, beautiful. You look righty familiar. We met somewhere before?”
Sophia gave him the cold shoulder, refusing to dignify his come–on with a response.
The man, undeterred, reached out to touch her anyway.
“Don’t be like that,” he murmured, leaning in as though they were old chums. “This has got to be fate. How ‘bout sharing a drink with me?”
“I’m not interested,” she snapped, slapping his hand away with a no–nonsense glare. 1
Her posture was stiff, like a warrior ready for battle.
His grin stretched wider, dark intent gleaming in his eyes. “Feisty. I like that. You have no clue who I am, do you?”
He lowered his voice, a conspiratorial rasp. “I’ve got more money than you could dream of. You make me happy, and I’ll make sure dollar bills rain like confetti around you.
He was letting his lustful gaze wander over her.
Sophia refused to answer.
“Ooh, playing hard to get, huh? Something tells me you’ll be a real firecracker between the sheets. Why beat around the bush? Let’s make this simple. Sleep with me–name your price. I’ll write you a blank check, sweetheart.”
Sophia’s lip curled in disgust. “Get lost,” she hissed, loud enough to stir onlookers nearby.
He merely chuckled, like he was enjoying the taste of her fury.
Megan couldn’t hold back any longer. She stepped in, planting herself between him and Sophia.
“Back off,” she warned, leveling her glare at the sleazeball. “Or you’ll regret it.”
Hank sneered like he’d just caught a whiff of rotten eggs, his gaze sliding dismissively over Megan.
“Ugly. Nobody asked for your opinion. You want me to toss you out again?”
“You bastard!” Megan shouted, her voice trembling with anger.
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Chapter 122
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Hank barked a cruel laugh and gave Megan a rough shove.
Sure, I’m a bastard,” he sneered, “but you’re not exactly saint yourself. Zip it, ugly. Keep spewing that sewer talk, and watch how fast every man on this earth starts avoiding you like the plague.”
Megan went sprawling on the floor, and he stepped right past her like she was filth under his boots too dirty and worthless for even a second glance.
Ignoring Megan, Hank turned back to Sophia and took another step closer, his breath reeking of alcohol as he reached for her chin.
