"I heard everything," Tim said quietly.

Tim handed me a steaming mug of fruit tea—he remembered my favorite drink from college.


"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

I studied him over the rim of my mug.


Tim was genuinely handsome—more so than Harlan, with a warmth in his eyes that Harlan never had. In college, girls had practically lined up for him.

"Why are you doing all this for me?" I asked bluntly.


A flash of panic crossed his face.

"That's what friends do."

"You're my only friend right now," I said softly. "Thank you for that."

Something flickered in his eyes—disappointment?—before he looked down at his mug.

After these weeks together, I wasn't blind to how he felt.

But I couldn't bear another heartbreak—and I wouldn't drag someone else into my complicated life.

I was just biding my time.

Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

I stared at Harlan's latest text message.

"Stay positive, Rachel. Miracles happen every day."

I replied: "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

After a moment's thought, I added:

"How's business going?"

"Everything's great! We're finalizing a huge deal next week. Don't worry about me."

I set down my phone with a small smile.

Perfect. His company was doing well.

I visited Harlan's office building and found Mark, an employee who'd been there since the beginning.

I'd helped him through a tough divorce years ago. He owed me.

I handed him a flash drive containing Vanessa's recording and several cozy photos of her with Harlan I'd collected.

"Leak these through an anonymous account in the company chat," I said quietly.

Mark nodded grimly. "Consider it done, Miss Rivers."

I smiled. Phase one was underway.

Destroying their reputations was just the beginning.