Testing Bianca
I leaned back in my chair, watching everything unfold just as I had planned. It only took a small rumor and a little doubt, and Bianca was already falling apart.
Damian sat across from her, his jaw tight, disappointment clear in his eyes. "You actually believe them?" he asked, his voice low but sharp.
Bianca hesitated. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. "It's not just about what I believe, Damian," she finally said, but her shaky voice betrayed her. "People are talking. They're saying your company is in trouble. That you're not the man you pretend to be."
"And you listened to them," Damian said, bitterness in his tone.
I took a sip of my wine, hiding a smile. She was falling for the trap too easily. I expected her to fight back, to show loyalty. Instead, she looked scared, as if she was already preparing to leave him behind.
"I just need to know the truth," she insisted, twisting her fingers nervously. "Are you struggling, Damian? Are you out of money?"
Damian let out a slow breath, shaking his head. "The fact that you're even asking me this says everything, Bianca. After all we've been through?"
I could see the conflict in him—his pride fighting against the pain of realizing she wasn't standing by his side when things got tough.
"I just want honesty," Bianca said, her voice rising. "I deserve honesty."
Damian let out a dry laugh, then stood up so fast his chair scraped against the floor. "No, Bianca. You deserve exactly what you give. And right now, that's nothing."
She flinched as if he had hit her. "That's not fair."
"Really?" he scoffed. "You were happy when everyone saw me as powerful. But now, the moment there's a rumor, you're ready to run." He shook his head. "I should have known."
Tears filled her eyes. "That's not true, I—"
"Save it," he cut her off. His voice was cold. "I see you clearly now, Bianca. And I don't like what I see."
Her lips trembled. "Damian, please—"
He didn't stay to hear more. He turned and walked away, his shoulders stiff with anger.
I finally set my glass down, satisfied. That had gone even better than I expected.
Bianca stood frozen, breathing hard. Then she turned to me, realization in her eyes.
"You did this," she whispered.
I tilted my head, pretending to be innocent. "Did what?"
"You spread those rumors," she accused, her voice shaky.
I slowly stood up, taking my time. "Did I?" I said with a smirk. "Or did you just show your true colors?"
She stared at me, horrified.
"You're a monster," she whispered.
I smiled. "And you, Bianca," I leaned in, speaking softly but with an edge, "are exactly what I thought you were—a fraud."
Her face crumpled. For a second, I wondered if she would fight back, scream, or slap me. But she didn't. She just turned and ran, her heels clicking against the cold floor.
I watched her go, a satisfied feeling growing inside me.
Damian would be hurt, but he'd get over it. And when he did, he'd know who he could trust—and who he couldn't.
The game had just begun.