Just like my heart—trampled without a second thought.

And now, here was Austin, personally overseeing every detail of Kathy's birthday gala. A blue-and-white porcelain vase worth hundreds of thousands of dollars sat on display as mere decoration.

Every detail had been planned to perfection.

But I couldn't bear to watch anymore.

I nearly lost control more than once. I wanted to storm up there, to slap him across the face so hard my palm would sting for days.

I wanted to demand answers. Why did you lie to me for three years? Just because I made Kathy work as a maid for three days?

I wanted to tear off my clothes and show him every scar, every wound I'd collected over these three years.

But in the end, I did nothing.

I watched the man who should have been behind bars for three more days. He stood there in a suit that cost more than everything I owned, looking every inch the ruthless tycoon.

He pulled Kathy—his little princess—into his arms, his face soft with adoration as he wished her a happy birthday.

Then I turned away, expressionless, and went back to my basement rental.

Dark. Damp. I'd lived here for three years.