Chapter 1 When I caught my fiancé in bed with his mistress , my world shattered like the Paris snow globe at my feet . Another woman straddled Dominic in our bed . Oh honey , she purred , the only mistake was thinking he actually loved you . Thats when I discovered the truth about the property transfer papers Id signed last week, and how six years of love had been nothing but an elaborate con . As I collapsed against the wall , my fiancés mask finally slipped , revealing the cold stranger beneath . Six years of love and trust evaporated in six minutes of horror , leaving me trapped between a man I never really knew and his mistress , with nothing but my name to call my own . I stood frozen , my hand still gripping the doorknob . The Eiffel Tower snow globe Id picked up in Paris slipped from my other hand , shattering against the hardwood floor . Glass and glitter scattered around my feet , but I barely registered it . My vision tunneled to our king sized bed the one wed picked out together at that boutique store in Milan . The Egyptian cotton sheets twisted around their bodies . Their bodies . Not just his anymore . Camilla … Dominics voice cut through the air like a blade . The platinum blonde straddling him whipped her head around , ice blue eyes widening at the sight of me . The room spun . The Cartier love bracelet hed given me last Christmas felt like it was burning into my wrist . Six years . Six years of memories crashed down around me like that broken snow globe . Val- Dominic scrambled up , pushing the woman Camilla off him . Youre supposed to be in Paris . I tried to speak but my throat closed up . The air felt too thick to breathe . The scent of her perfume something expensive and cloying mixed with the familiar notes of Dominics cologne made my stomach turn . Surprise , I whispered , the word tasting like ash in my mouth . A tear rolled down my cheek , then another . I watched them fall , creating dark spots on my Chapter 1 96 % 11:46 Sun , 2 Mar cream silk blouse the one hed said made me look beautiful last month . The woman Camilla didnt even try to cover herself . She just sat there , a cat like smile playing at the corners of her perfectly painted lips . Like shed won something . Like shed been waiting for this moment . My engagement ring caught the light as I gripped the doorframe to steady myself . One year . We were supposed to celebrate one year of being engaged today . Baby , let me explain- Dominic reached for his robe , stumbling toward me . This isnt what it looks like . I backed away , shaking my head . This couldnt be real . We had plans . A future . The villa in Tuscany wed toured last month . The spring wedding wed been planning . No , no … My back hit the hallway wall . There has to be some mistake . Camillas laugh pierced through my spiral of denial . Oh honey , the only mistake was thinking he actually loved you . Shut up , Dominic snapped at her , but she just stretched across our bed our bed like a satisfied cat . Why keep up the charade , darling ? She examined her manicured nails . You already got what you wanted . The transfer went through yesterday , didnt it ? My knees buckled . Transfer ? The properties your parents left you . Camillas eyes gleamed . The ones you so trustingly signed over to your beloved fiancé last week . That was the whole point , wasnt it , Dom ? The room tilted sideways . The lawyers office . The documents . Dominics insistence that combining our assets would make things easier once we were married . Tell her shes lying , I pleaded , but Dominic wouldnt meet my eyes . Tell me this isnt true . His silence crushed what was left of my heart . Six million in real estate . Camilla slid off the bed , wrapping herself in my favorite cashmere throw . Not bad for a years work , though I must say you dragged it out longer than necessary . My parents legacy . Everything theyd worked for , everything theyd left to Chapter 1 11:46 Sun , 2 Mar secure my future . I trusted you . The words came out broken , barely a whisper . Val- 96 % Dont . I pressed my hands against my ears , but couldnt block out Camillas satisfied laughter or the sound of my world crumbling around me . You know … Camillas voice dripped honey coated poison . Since were having this lovely moment of truth , why dont you ask your dear fiancé about your parents accident ? My blood turned to ice . The room tilted , memories of that rainy night flooding back the phone call , the crash , the funeral . What ? The word scraped my throat . Go ahead . Camillas eyes glittered . Ask him if it really was black ice that sent their car off that cliff . I snapped my head toward Dominic , my heart pounding so hard I thought it might shatter my ribcage . No … His face transformed . The mask of contrition melted away , replaced by something cold and unfamiliar . Something that had always been there , hidden beneath the surface . Did you- I couldnt finish the question . My tongue felt like lead . Did I what ? He cocked his head , a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth . Order the brake lines cut ? The casual shrug of his shoulders drove the knife deeper into my heart . Had to be done . Your parents werent exactly keen on the idea of us together . And those properties … He clicked his tongue . Well , they werent going to sign them over willingly . My legs gave out . I slid down the wall , the world spinning around me . Moms last call . Dads concerns about Dominic . The way theyd begged me to wait , to think things through . You killed them . The words came out as a broken whisper . You murdered my parents . Yes , I did . Dominic stepped closer , his expression hardening . The man I thought I loved vanished , replaced by a stranger with empty eyes . And if youre thinking of running to the police with this touching revelation- He traced a finger down my tear stained cheek . Well , accidents do tend to run in families , Chapter 1 4/5 2.7 % 11:46 Sun , 2 Mar dont they ? I jerked away from his touch , bile rising in my throat . 96 % You really should be more careful , Val . He crouched down beside me , his voice dropping to a whisper . Especially given your … history of mental instability . My head snapped up . What ? Camillas laughter echoed through the room . Oh , you didnt know ? Theres quite a paper trail documenting your declining mental state . Therapist notes , prescription records , concerned emails from friends … She examined her nails . Its amazing what money can buy these days . No one would believe- Everyone already does . Dominics fingers dug into my arm . Who do you think theyll trust ? The grieving , unstable daughter who never accepted her parents tragic accident ? Or the successful businessman whos been trying so hard to help his poor , troubled fiancée ? The walls closed in . Every dinner party , every sympathetic glance , every concerned question about my well being it had all been part of their plan . Face it , sweetie . Camilla draped herself across Dominics shoulders . Youve already lost . The smart thing would be to take the generous settlement were offering and disappear . I stared at them both , these monsters wearing human skin . My entire life had been a carefully constructed lie , and Id walked right into their trap . Of course , Dominics grip tightened until I winced , if you choose to be difficult about this … His other hand wrapped around my throat , not squeezing , just resting there . Ill send you to your parents . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!