When Love Is a Lie

“‘s becane other tithymoah!” Whaneyretected.

whauryasn’t someone who got angry easy, let alene hh people, but if anyone dared insult these closest to her, she had zero tolerance.

“If you won’t teach her manners, I don’t mind helping out should let her know what respect and decency mean.”

Rebecca polsted a trembling linger at Whitney, her fury blazing as if she wanted to devour her. “‘s not your place! Your father and are still here. You don’t have the right to act

Willey’s eyes were cold as she stared back at Rebecca. “Aren’t you going to hone my father and leave this family?‘

Rebecca was rendered speechless, her heart shaking. She had hoped her plan muld work in her favor, yet Whitney had seen right through it.

Whitney turned to Westley Tat, Lunderstand why you diced my mother back then. After all these years, I know that it’s impossible for you to get back together. But I hope that, for the sake of what you once share, you’ll see her

Before Westley could respond, Rebecca eut in, “We’re talking about millions here! You make it sounds easy. Do you think the Spencer family’s money just falls from the sky

“course.Det Spencer Group’s wealth was buik by both my mother and my father!”

Fearing that Westley might waver, Whitney pressed on, “Dad, you katow how much my mother sacrificed for Spencer Group. That accident happened on her way to the factory. She practically gave here for this family.”

Whimney had been young at the time. It was only later, with the help of a friend from Hel’s I firm, that she learned the full story of Margaret’s accident. She had never asked heather about hersell, fearing it would bring back painful memories

Wesley seemed to drift back to the past, remembering the snipples be and Margest had faced together when building their legacy.

He paned Whitney’s shoulder ceassuringly. “Whimney, don’t worry. I’ll save your mother. Millions are not beyond the Spencer family’s means.

“whitney’s eyes grew misty, and shrnodded in gratitude. But then Westley added, “You need to reassure met. Please, no more talk of beraking up with Damian.”

Framment, Whitney felt a pang of suspicion. It sounded as if Westley was making a dead with her. But she quickly dismissed it

Her father had aber trouted her like a precious jewel. Even after crying Rebecca and having Stella and Martow, Whitney remained his favorite.

He would never me her marriage as a bargaining chip. It was impossible.

As the workday was winding down at Howard Group, Whitney carned some documents to the CEO’s office.

“Mr.Howard, these two documents need your signature,” Whitney sald

Damian flipped through them, briefly scanning them before signing

“I’ll take my law, then,” Whitney said without saying anything else as she turned to leave.

“Whitney,” Damian called back. “You’s not just my employee. Don’t you have anything else you’d like today to me?” She turned around and asked, “It’s work houn, Mr. Howard, what would you like to use?”

o you think?”

lationship public.

at her as be wasted for

don’t think it’s a good idea.” Whitey lowered her pane, missing the fleeting displeasure that crossed Damian’s

so distant and cold toward me. I really want everyone to know

the past, she would

out of our way to announce it. Besides, if everyone knows, how will that affect my work? Will be able to interact

until the day itself for everyone to learn about their relationship.

something hidden in his

tonight, alright? in a couple of days, the York family is hosting a birthday

excuse to being her luck

just have in delivered to my place, it doesn’t

the same rool, he he had revolved around me had no space of her own thily alter moving out did she realize

or his dalys. There was need to think at which the would go

time to coad, binge wach her favorite shows, or simply scroll

that in mind, alve returned home with some snacks from the supermarket to enjoy

apartment door, she heard a door open behind

sound, Whitney

29 din Hera Gowm

informal attire emerged from Noel’s apartment, polling sites behind him.

But why

to their last conversation in the parking lot. Noel said he’d

actually decided to move out because of

that she might have gone too far. Had

I’m Mr. Howard’s neighbor. Is he moving out?”

to lose on a business trip, but he couldn’t spare the

was it

felt an odd sense of relief at his explanation:

as she was about to him back to her apartment, Dariel spoke up again, “You must be Ms. Spencer,

was surprised. “Do you know

along something as a ton of apology for any recent

handed her a large, rectangular gift box

Atokes of apology‘

it haped

elevator with the

keeping their distance and avoiding each other, which had led to some

and lifted the lid. Inside lay a mealy folded white gown that was embroidered with silver lilies. Each petal shimmered subdy against the curious abric. The tricate collars adorned with tiny

hadn’t expected Noel to gilt her

couldn’t accept such

picked up phone, only to realize she didn’t have his contact number, she’d just have to wait until he returned

doorbell rang. She checked the monitor and

she greeted as she opened the