Chapter 78

Chase was determined to sever ties with Nicole, making a clean break. Every word he spoke was dripping with finality. Watching this unfold, I felt no joy, only absurdity.

It seemed that when a man truly wanted to end a relationship, nothing could stop him. He spoke with such certainty, leaving Nicole no room to maneuver. Yet, this straightforwardness had kept me entangled with them for years. He preferred to leave me feeling hurt and even blamed me, calling me petty and overly critical.

The colder he became toward Nicole, the more ridiculous my situation felt. What was I to him, anyway? Nicole must have wondered the same thing. Despite how she treated me, she had at least been genuine with Chase, only to end up rejected. How could she reconcile this?

As women, we both understood the game she'd played, attempting to wedge herself between Chase and me, gradually replacing me in his affections. From the beginning, her aim was to supplant me. Now, Chase's words laid bare her years of scheming, reducing them to ashes.

“Chase, what am I to you, really?”

Chase replied, deliberately and clearly, “From now on, you’re just my sister. It’s best if you don’t come here anymore. It’s inappropriate, and I don’t want my wife to see you and get upset.”

“Wife?” Nicole sneered. “Do you really think Amanda is coming back?”

My heart skipped a beat; she clearly knew something. But would she reveal it to Chase?

Chase’s eyes snapped to her. “What did you just say?”

“I know you’ve been searching for Amanda lately. I want to find her too, but all signs point to her being abducted and sold overseas,” Nicole said, brushing away tears with a cold smile. “Chase, you’re not a kid anymore. You should know about those criminal syndicates. Women are the most vulnerable, especially beautiful ones. I fear Amanda was violated as soon as she stepped on that ship.”

“Shut up!” Chase’s face turned icy as he glared at her. “How do you know all this?”

“I asked around. Chase, do you know what being trafficked entails? Do you know the cost women pay when they refuse this fate? Don’t be naive. Amanda was stunning. She’s likely been violated by many by now.”

Slap!

Chase’s hand landed hard on her face. “I told you to shut up. Didn’t you hear me?”

“Even if you bring Amanda back, she won’t be the same. Chase, you can’t return to the way things were. From the day Amanda was violated, it was over for you two,” Nicole laughed hysterically. “If word got out that Mrs. Reyes was sold into those places, it would disgrace the Reyes and Kennedy families! We’d all be dragged down by her shame. Could you still stand by such a tainted woman?”

“Get out. Just get out,” Chase raged.

Nicole, clutching her cheek, laughed devilishly. “Chase, why are you still so naive? Didn’t you enjoy your time with me? Clearly, your wife isn’t everything. You’ve seen Derek is back and ready to fight for the inheritance. Right now, wasting time on this is foolish.”

Chapter 79