After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 85

Gloria tried to brush off Elijah's patronizing "I'll take care of you forever" BS. Her focus was on getting that visa processed and getting the hell out of there. But Jenna? She had other ideas.

That morning, Jenna was suspiciously chipper, insisting they hit Rodeo Drive together. Minutes after sliding into the Mercedes G-Wagon, Gloria felt woozy. Then-lights out.

She came to tied up at some clifftop straight out of a crime drama, ocean roaring below. Nearby, Jenna was playing damsel in distress, bound in the same way- though something felt staged about the whole thing.

Gloria tried to speak through the duct tape, but only managed muffled sounds. Jenna caught her look and dropped the act with a smirk. "God, I didn't want to resort to this little kidnapping theatre. But after what Elijah promised you? Time to see who he really cares about."

Gloria's heart sank. Like that wasn't already crystal clear?

Right on cue, Elijah's Aston Martin screeched up, tires spraying gravel. He jumped out clutching two Gucci duffels. "Here's your damn money!" he snarled, throwing them forward. "Now let them go!"

Jenna's hired thug didn't flinch. "This isn't about cash, Mr. Phillips."

Elijah's face darkened. "What's your angle?"

The guy grabbed both women's shoulders, grinning like a B-movie villain. "Time to choose, rich boy. Daddy's friend's precious daughter or your smoking hot fiancée. Pick one to save-the other takes a scenic dive into shark territory. Tick tock."

He loosened the ropes, making them sway over the edge.

screamed like she was auditioning for a horror film. "Baby, please!

The panic in Elijah's voice

Game over.

Oscar-worthy performance. She shot Elijah her best lovesick look, but his eyes

looked eerily calm. Something about that resignation made

launched herself into his arms, magically free. "Baby..." he whispered,

when Gloria's rope snapped. One second she was

swallowed her whole. As the current dragged her down, Gloria fought against the pull, but her designer outfit felt like concrete. Her vision started tunneling,

some luxury medical suite to find Elijah camping out in a chair. His bloodshot eyes and five o'clock shadow screamed he'd been there for days. But she was so done with

until Gloria broke it. "Mr. Phillips, go check on your fiancée. She's probably having a meltdown without you." After a beat: "I can

she was speaking alien

Jenna's birthday. And Elijah? He'd gone full crazy rich

Casual millions in

display lit up the sky, the party peaked. Elijah had Jenna pressed close as they slow-danced, while a massive LED wall behind them

eating up their perfect romance,

the display. Her pathetic high school crush

room erupted in savage