Desired by All and He Threw Away 16

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When we pull up to the apartment complex my breath catches. The place looks like something out of a magazine. 

with features of modern marble surfaces and reflective glass balconies and a black–suited doorman who welcomes us with a nod.Inside everything glows. The floors are polished reflect soft golden lightand the faint aroma of fresh lilies fills in the air. 

after walking me to the elevator the agent told me the number to te apartment then left. 

When the elevator doors open to the penthouse, I step out and freeme. 

Floor to ceiling windows revealing the city sprawling below -a se of lights and motion. 

The furniture is minimalist but luxurious;even the air feels richer here. 

“This is temporary taylor,” I remind myself under my breath. “Just until I help Aiden. Then it’s back to normal.” 

Normal. The word feels hollow. 

I set my bag on the couch and take a long breath. The silence is both comforting and suffocating.To distract myself, I pull out my phone and open T*****r. Dylan’s name pops up in the search bar before I can stop myself, i click it. 

posts begin to flood my screen pictures about gossip threads, angry rants from people who claim to know him. And then, the real dagger – a string of old comments from women. Patterns of charm, betrayal, vanishing acts. 

My stomach twists. So it wasn’t just me. 

Scrolling through the feed I stumble on a familiar name 

Claria. We went to the same high school. I remember her laugh her 

red hair,the way Dylan used to flirt with her before we ever start dating. 

My Heart starts to thud, I search for her on F******k. Her profile picture appears with eyes that look like they have seen too much. 

— 

a woman on a balcony much older,sharper 

I send her a friend request before I can even talk myself out of it. An hour later, the notification pings. 

Accepted. I type quickly: 

— 

Me: Hey, Claria. Not sure if you remember me – Taylor. We went to Westfield High? 

The typing bubble appears almost immediately. 

Claria: Taylor? Oh my god, of course. Your date Dylan right? 

My fingers hover over the screen. 

Me: Nope. Not anymore. 

Claria: Ugh. That man. If could warned every woman about that man. How long did it take before he showed you his true colors? 

I bite my lip staring at my screen at the question. 

Me: Too long. He drained my savings and for a rich, older woman. 

Claría: Sounds familiar. He used to tell me I wasnt “ambitious enough.“Meanwhile he was cheatingwith his boss’s daughter. 

A bitter laugh escapes me. 

Me: He told me the same thing about ambition. Said I was holding him back. 

Claria: Of course he did. Classic Dylan. Always the victim always th hero in his own story. 

Thereis a pause, then another message pops up. 

Claria: You know, I still have screenshots. Messages, photos. Proof of the crap he pulled back then. 

1/2 

Chapter 16 

+25 Bonus 

My heart skips. 

Me: Would you be willing to share them? I… might have a reason. 

Claria: You mean revenge? 

Me: Maybe. 

Claria: Good. It’s about time someone made him sweat. I’ll send them.and if you’re up for it,we can meet tonight.There’s a café near Lexington – 7 p.m.? 

Me: I’ll be there. Thank you, Claria. Really. 

Claria: Don’t thank me yet. Dylan made me a fool once. Helping you might finally make me feel human again. 

The screen goes dark in my hand, but my heart is still racing. For the first time in a long while, the ache of helplessness fades, replaced by something fiercer. Purpose. I close my eyes, breathing in the faint scent of polished wood and lavender drifting from the corners of the room. 

– 

The city hums outside a restless pulse that matches my own. 

Then my phone rings again. Aiden. The name flashes across the screen, cold and commanding. 

I hesitate, thumb hovering over the answer button before I finally swipe. 

“Hello?” His voice is calm, clipped. “Come downstairs.” My stomach dips. “Why?” 

“We’re going to a press conference.” 

I blink, confused. “A press conference? For what?” His tone carries that same infuriating calm. “Where you’ll be announced.” The room tilts for a second. “Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?