Chapter 78
“In our past life, you never even batted an eye at me,” Rafael teased as the car rolled to a stop near the port.
I shot him a sharp look, crossing my arms. “That’s not true.”
“It is,” he said, smirking. “You were so busy being Mikael’s perfect little fiancée, you didn’t even notice I existed.“}
“That’s not my fault!” I retorted, defensive. “Mikael was the one who constantly told me to stay away from you. He said you were dangerous.”
Rafael raised an eyebrow. “And you believed him.”
I looked away, my jaw tightening. “I was blind. Mikael controlled everything I thought, everything I did. I didn’t know the truth back then. And Sarah, she also fooled me.“>>
“And now you do,” Rafael said. “Mikael didn’t just manipulate you. He manipulated everyone. He wanted your family’s money to cement his empire. He’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants.”
My chest burned with fury at the thought. “Then we’ll destroy him. I swear, Rafael, I’ll make him pay for everything he’s done.“}] Rafael’s smirk returned, but this time there was a hint of something warmer in it. “I’ll be there every step of the way.”
.“8
Silence settled between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I turned to look out the window, the sound of waves crashing against the docks filling the air. Suddenly, Rafael reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
The touch was light. My breath caught as he leaned in, his face mere inches from mine.
His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to still.
Then the explosion rocked the port.
The car shook, and I instinctively coughed, backing away from Rafael. Smoke rose in the distance, mingling with the sound of alarms and shouting.
“There,” I said, clearing my throat as I gestured toward the chaos outside. “We’ve attacked his shipment. Do you think that will do enough damage?“}
Rafael chuckled, “A little. For a start. But you know what will hurt more? Especially for Sarah?“}
I frowned, confused. “What are you talking about?“>
Without a word, Rafael pulled out his phone and handed it to me. On the screen was a video–grainy, but clear enough to see Mikael and Sarah together in a compromising position.}
My stomach turned, but I couldn’t look away.}
“You… leaked this?” I asked.
Rafael nodded, his smirk widening. “As of a few minutes ago, this is playing on every major screen in Times Square.“}
My eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”
“Not even a little,” he said, leaning back against the seat. “Mikael’s spotless reputation? Gone. Sarah’s illusion of innocence? Shattered. The entire city will know who they really are. Do you think that would damage Sarah’s modelling career?“}
I smirked, “It definitely would.“}
The next morning, I woke to chaos. The scandal was everywhere. Every major newspaper screamed the same headlines: Boss of Jack of Trades Exposed in Infidelity Scandal with Model Sarah Rusco.
I sat in the estate’s sunlit living room, flipping through channels. News anchors dissected every second of the leaked video, and social media was ablaze with outrage.
“Sarah Rusco’s reputation is in freefall,” one anchor said. “She’s already been dropped by multiple brands, and industry insiders say this could end her career entirely.”
I smirked, sipping my coffee as I watched. “Good luck bouncing back from this, Sarah.”
My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I glanced at the screen and saw Sarah’s name flashing. She called once, then twice, then a third time.
I let it ring.
When she tried again, I calmly picked up my phone and blocked her number.
Later that afternoon, a breaking news alert interrupted the ongoing commentary about the scandal.
“Model Sarah Rusco involved in a severe car accident,” the anchor announced gravely. “The crash occurred on the freeway earlier today, just hours after her scandal broke. Sources confirm her car collided with the median, leaving her in critical condition.”
Footage of Sarah’s mangled car filled the screen, smoke pouring from the wrecka