[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221E34AF-91":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},91,5,"Chapter 5: The Mango Cake Trap","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sabrina Cole peeked out from behind Roman Armstrong, her cheeks flushed with a tipsy glow. She skipped into my living room, beaming.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Genevieve! We brought you mango cake. You have to try it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman stood by the doorway, a weary indulgence in his eyes. \"Slow down, Sabrina. You’ve had too much to drink—don't trip.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He paused, his gaze shifting to me. \"Sabrina’s had a bit too much tonight. It’s not safe for her to head back alone, so she’s staying the night. Oh, and you’re great at making that sobering-up soup, aren't you? Go whip her up a bowl.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The audacity hung in the air like a foul stench. It wasn't enough that he was cheating; he was parading his mistress through my front door, expecting me to play the dutiful wife while he coddled her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My skin turned to ice. \"Is she the only officer you have?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was Sabrina's commendation ceremony—there had to be dozens of others. Even a hotel would have been a more appropriate choice than our home.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman’s expression hardened. \"Genevieve, when did you become so heartless?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My voice betrayed me, trembling despite my efforts to stay composed. \"This is my house. Get out. Both of you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing the redness rimming my eyes, Roman’s tone softened into something patronizing. \"Fine, Genevieve. Relax. I’ll call someone to take her home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He reached for his phone, turning away. But before he could dial, a sharp, piercing scream shattered the silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">There was a sickening thud. Sabrina had gone over the balcony railing of my room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman’s face turned deathly pale. He dropped his phone and lunged toward the balcony with a frantic speed I had never seen before. A look of raw, unadulterated terror crossed his face—an expression he had never once worn for me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sabrina!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He scooped her into his arms. Her eyes were squeezed shut, limp against his chest. Roman turned, his face twisted into a mask of pure, murderous rage. He locked eyes with me, his gaze cold enough to freeze blood.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If I said it wasn't me, would you believe me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The back of his hand connected with my cheek in a blur of motion. The force sent me reeling, my head slamming into the corner of the wall. The metallic tang of blood filled my mouth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Genevieve, at least try to make your lies believable.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That single slap shattered the last of my illusions into a thousand jagged, irreparable shards.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As he turned to carry her out, I blocked his path.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wait.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I pulled the divorce papers from my pocket and shoved them into his chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sign these. Or don't bother leaving.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272923976]