A crowd formed around us, and I realized I was her drama. Me. The betrayer. My heart stalled. Did they set me up?

“Deena, don’t do this,” Adam said. “It was never going to be our night.”

Relief rushed through me.

Deena glared at him, clutching her chest like she’d been stabbed. “Do you know what it’s like to wake up every morning thinking about someone? To look for them everywhere, to dream about them at night?”

His eyes flitted to me. “Yes. I do.”

I cringed. This is all part of her plan…

“First Jax dumps me, now this.” Deena’s huge eyes glistened. “Ella, you knew I always had a secret crush on Adam. How could you?” Crocodile tears slid down her face, streaking her makeup. Her lower lip quivering, she wiped her cheek.

She’s the one who should be the actress.

“Deena,” I said softly, trying to mask my anger, to save face knowing the world was watching. “You said you weren’t interested in Adam—you know I would never hurt you. And nothing happened. Adam and I are just friends, and you’re my best friend.”

“Was. Was your best friend. It doesn’t look like nothing to me.” She waved a hand, and all the screens at the party lit up with images of me and Adam cuddled together on the chaise longue.

“Where did you get that?” I asked.

“There are cameras everywhere. When are you going to learn you’re never alone? Someone is always watching.” She cocked her head, pity flashing across her face before she dissolved into tears again. “You’ve ruined my birthday. I’ll never get over this. Don’t ever talk to me again.” Whipping her hair over her shoulder, she stomped away.

“What do you want from me?” I yelled to her back, seeing red. “Do you want me to stay away from him? I will. If that’s what you want.”

“Not so fast, Ella,” Adam said, sounding genuinely alarmed.

Deena couldn’t quite contain her serpentine smile as she peered over her shoulder. “No. Be happy. You deserve each other. I’m sure there’s someone better out there for me.”

Pointing her chin to the sky, she exited, her buff bodyguards falling in line behind her.

Adam put his arm around me, and I leaned against him, a mixture of disgust and anger colliding in my chest.

In the morning, the numbers supported Deena. Even pretty girls get their hearts broken, have fickle friends. Poor, poor thing. She painted me as the bitch who stole her boyfriend.

She won.

And that’s when my life began to unravel.

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

February 20, 20X5

Truth: Trust no one. They will only hurt you.

“I’m sure it will be no surprise to you there’s been a major sell-off.” Dad’s voice boomed across the terrace the second I walked through the door.