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.

for a horror film. "Baby, please!

panic in Elijah's voice said it

Game over.

Jenna visibly relaxed, dropping her Oscar-worthy performance. She shot Elijah

eerily calm. Something about that

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

when Gloria's rope snapped. One

Gloria fought against the pull, but her designer outfit felt like concrete. Her vision started tunneling,

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

stretched until Gloria broke it. "Mr. Phillips, go check on your fiancée. She's probably having a meltdown without

stared at her like she was speaking

discharge day happened to be Jenna's birthday. And Elijah? He'd gone full crazy rich boyfriend for their first celebration as a

thousand roses flown in from Paris filled the venue. Casual millions in Cartier and Hermès boxes piled in corners. Their #CoupleGoals photos plastered

lit up the sky, the party peaked. Elijah had Jenna pressed close as they

up their perfect romance, the

and sketches of Elijah filled the display. Her pathetic high school

erupted in