Chapter 11 - The Final Severance
Vanessa stepped out of the elevator.
She looked entirely different. Her hair was messy, her designer clothes were wrinkled, and her makeup was smudged. The arrogant princess from the wedding was gone.
She walked into the office, looking around at the luxurious wood paneling and the expansive view of the city. She realized exactly what she had lost.
“Daniel,” she said, her voice cracking.
I stood behind my desk. I didn't offer her a seat.
“You have three minutes, Vanessa. Then Marcus throws you out.”
She swallowed hard, tears welling in her eyes. But I could see the calculation behind them. She was still trying to find an angle.
“My dad is going to jail,” she whispered. “My mom won't stop crying. We have no money for food, Daniel. We have nothing.”
“Welcome to the real world,” I replied coldly. “My father skipped meals so I could eat. You can learn to do the same for your mother.”
She stepped forward, placing her hands on my desk. “You planned this. You trapped us. You’re a monster.”
“No,” I said, leaning in closer. “You trapped yourselves. All you had to do was treat a poor man with basic human decency. Just once. If you had stood up for my father at that wedding, we would be on a honeymoon right now, and I would have given you the world.”
Vanessa flinched as if I had hit her.
“I didn't know!” she yelled, slamming her hands on the desk. “It’s not fair! You tricked me!”
“Your true character isn't a trick, Vanessa. It’s a choice.”
She glared at me, her face twisting into something ugly and hateful. The mask completely fell off.
“You think you’re so much better than us,” she spat. “You’re just a construction worker playing dress-up in your daddy’s office. You’ll never belong in this world!”
“You’re right,” I said calmly. “I don't belong in your world. Your world is built on lies, greed, and cheap watches. My world is built on loyalty.”
I pressed the intercom button. “Marcus.”
The door immediately opened. Marcus stood there, his face completely impassive.
“Escort Miss Hale out of the building,” I ordered. “If she returns, have her arrested for trespassing.”
Vanessa backed away, pointing a shaking finger at me. “You’ll regret this, Daniel! You’ll be alone for the rest of your life!”
“Take her out,” I told Marcus.
Marcus grabbed her arm firmly. “This way, ma'am.”
May you like
She screamed curses at me as Marcus dragged her down the hall. Her voice faded as the heavy elevator doors slid shut.
Silence returned to the penthouse.
