Chapter 7
After Chris took the reins as CEO of Anderson Group, he followed through on his word and completely divested Mona
Corporation’s assets.
Owen didn’t take it lying down. He made a big show of cutting himself off from Anderson Group and starting his own company. He also went to the media and trashed Chris for stealing me, saying they were no longer family.
The backlash was immediate. Headlines blew up everywhere, and every news channel made Chris and me out to be a couple of cheating dirtbags.
Chris didn’t even bat an eye. He took care of everything like a true leader. First, he froze every asset Owen still held in Anderson Group. Then, he turned to the media, hitting every outlet that had pushed lies with legal threats, one after another.
And then came my part. I showed up at the press conference and dropped all the dirt I’d found on Owen and Monica’s affair. I had their texts, money transfers, cozy photos Monica had put on social media, gifts they had exchanged, and even an audio recording
of them in bed.
Even the woman who had helped me on the cruise stepped forward to support me. And all the weddings Owen ditched? We had it all on video. Everyone saw exactly how he had left me at the altar multiple times.
Public opinion flipped instantly. The tide turned, and everyone was pointing fingers at Owen and Monica again.
Owen’s company had just started up, but with all the bad press, it went belly–up before it even had a chance to get going. After that, he vanished from the public eye completely.
I figured everything had finally settled down. My life was getting back on track. But today, when I came home with groceries just
like
any
other day, I saw Owen waiting for me at the front gate. My heart jumped into my throat. I tried to turn away, but he’d already seen me and was walking right at me.
“Mia, can we talk for a minute?”
“We have nothing to talk about.”
I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my wrist before I could move. His grip was shockingly strong.
“I know I messed up big time. I’m done with Monica for good. Can you please forgive me?”
I couldn’t wrap my head around why he was still hounding me like this.
“Even if I forgive you, there’s no way we could ever be together again.”
“But why? You used to be different. You loved me so much…”
“That was then.” I yanked my hand away. “I’m completely over you.”
Owen just froze, like he’d been hit by a truck. He was stunned and silent. I finally got a good look at him and saw how much he
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Chapter 7
had let himself go. He looked rough, like he had aged a decade in just a few months.
+25 Bonus
His bloodshot eyes were locked on mine, and his voice broke as he begged, “Please, Mia, just for what I’ve done for you and your
mom, help me out one last time. I’m broke. I’ll literally starve if you don’t.”
I was completely speechless. He had saved Mom’s life, and that was a fact. And if it was just about money…
I was on the fence. I was still trying to decide what to do when the front gate swung open. Chris was there, leaning against the
gate.
“You want to say that again? You’re claiming you’re the one who saved her mom?”
Owen’s face dropped, panic written all over it. “No… I…”
Chris moved in closer, taking slow, measured steps. His eyes were like daggers. “Unbelievable. You actually took advantage of the
fact that we look alike and lied to her for a decade.”
My brain just short–circuited. He lied to me for a decade? Which meant…
“So, it wasn’t you that night? It was Chris, but you let me believe it was you all this time?”
I couldn’t believe it. I felt like the biggest fool in the world.
“That’s not how it is, Mia. I swear, my feelings for you are real. I’ve loved you the whole time-”
I slapped him hard across the face. “You scumbag liar! Get the hell out of my sight. I never want to see you again!”
Owen held his swollen cheek, still trying to grab me, but Chris blocked him. “My wife told you to go.”
Chris gave a quick wave of his hand. A couple of bodyguards came over and dragged Owen away.
“No, Mia, please! Let me explain!”
He kept screaming my name like his world was falling apart, all the way until he was gone.
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