Stacey Cruz sat in her trailer outside the modeling set, a self-satisfied smile tugging at her lips. She felt triumphant, reveling in her latest attempt to remove the obstacle standing between her and the man she believed was hers.

"Now that that little bitch is out of the way,*" she thought, laughing quietly to herself. "Tim is capable of love, and that love will belong to me."

As the makeup artist finished touching up her face, Stacey prepared to stand and head toward the clothing rack. A sharp knock on the trailer door interrupted her thoughts, snapping her back to reality.

Irritated, she narrowed her eyes. “Who the hell dares to bother me?” she hissed, her tone dripping with annoyance.

The door swung open abruptly, and there he was—Tim, the man she’d obsessed over. But he wasn’t alone. Eric, CEO of Hart Incorporated, followed closely behind him.

Her heart fluttered in surprise, and she plastered on a fake smile. “Oh, Tim, dear.” She sauntered over to him, batting her lashes. “I missed you.”

Tim offered a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Oh, did you?” he said, his tone smooth. “I missed you too.”

Stacey's pleasure was palpable. "He missed me!" She gestured for them to sit. “Come, sit with me, darling. Let’s catch up.”

Tim moved to the couch, but instead of easing her suspicions, his movements were too controlled, too calm. “Eric, join us,” he said, motioning to his friend.

Eric, ever the voice of restraint, nodded curtly, eyeing Stacey as if he saw right through her. “Nice to meet you,” he said as he took a seat.

Stacey barely noticed his cool demeanor, too wrapped up in her desire for Tim. “Nice to meet you, too,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She turned her full attention to Tim, her voice oozing with charm. “What brings you here?”

Tim leaned forward, his eyes dark with intent. “I have some questions for you, Stacey.”

She fluttered her lashes again, thinking she still had the upper hand. “Questions? About what?”

Tim shot a glance at Eric. “Could you give us a moment?”

Eric nodded, standing. “I’ll be right outside.”

As the door clicked shut, Stacey’s excitement surged. She felt Tim’s attention solely on her, and her heart quickened. “Come here, you naughty boy,” she purred, walking over to him seductively.

Tim reached out, pulling her onto his lap with a smile that betrayed none of the rage boiling beneath the surface. “You look beautiful, Stacey,” he said, his tone syrupy sweet. “I shouldn’t have been so harsh with you before.”

Stacey preened under the praise. “Oh, it’s okay. I didn’t take it to heart.”

“Really?” Tim said, brushing her cheek lightly. “How about a kiss to show me just how much you missed me?”

Her heart skipped a beat. "Of course," she whispered, leaning in for the kiss she thought would seal her triumph.

But just as their lips were about to meet, Tim’s hand shot up, grabbing her throat and flipping her onto the floor. Stacey gasped, her eyes flying open in terror as she stared up at the man she had loved, now glaring down at her with fury.

“Tim...what are you doing?” she croaked, her voice barely a whisper. “I can’t breathe…”

His grip tightened. “You don’t deserve to breathe,” he spat, his voice cold. “Why did you try to kill Lily?”

Stacey’s eyes widened, her fear morphing into rage as her plan unraveled before her eyes. “She’s...she’s not dead?”

Tim’s anger flared at her admission. “You dare admit it? You tried to take her life—my Lily’s life—and now you have the audacity to be mad that you failed?”

She clawed at his hands, gasping for air, but Tim was relentless. Her face flushed as she struggled beneath his grip.

At last, he released her, shoving her to the floor with disgust. Stacey gasped for breath, clutching her throat, her mind racing. She glared up at him, her voice dripping with venom. “You’re going to regret this, Tim. You and that whore of yours will both die by my hand!”

Tim’s eyes darkened. “Not if you die first,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “I could end you right here, right now. If you want to keep living, you’ll cooperate.”

Stacey’s mind raced. She could feel the weight of her situation bearing down on her, but she wasn’t going to give up so easily. “Why should I cooperate with you?” she snapped. “You toyed with me, led me on! What makes her so damn special?”

Tim’s expression hardened. “I never led you on, Stacey. I made it clear it was just for fun. You’re the one who got delusional.”

Tears of anger welled in her eyes as she screamed, “I was not delusional! You treated me like I mattered!”

Tim shook his head in disgust. “Lily is special because she’s kind, pure, and soft-hearted—everything you’ll never be. You’re cruel, vindictive, and heartless. You could never compare to her.”

His words cut deep, and Stacey lashed out in desperation. “Lies! All lies!”

Tim leaned down, grabbing her arm and pulling her roughly to her feet. “I’ve got enough proof to ruin you, Stacey. I could take away everything—your career, your life, your freedom. So either you disappear and stay gone, or I make sure you pay for what you’ve done.”

Stacey stared at him, her mind racing, searching for a way out. She forced herself to calm down. “Okay, okay,” she said, feigning remorse. “I’m sorry. I’ll disappear. You’ll never hear from me again.”

Tim’s eyes narrowed as he glared at her, knowing full well she was lying. “You better mean that,” he muttered through gritted teeth before shoving her back down onto the floor.

Without another word, Tim stormed out of the trailer, slamming the door behind him.

Eric was waiting outside. “Did you handle it?”

Tim nodded, his face dark. “She won’t expect what’s coming. Let’s go.”

As they walked away, Stacey struggled to her feet, her hands trembling as they moved to her throat. She caught sight of herself in the mirror and saw the angry red marks already turning purple where Tim had choked her.

Rage bubbled up inside her, and she reached for her phone, her heart set on vengeance.

“Hello?” a voice on the other end answered.

“It’s me,” Stacey hissed. “You said the poison would kill her. It didn’t.”

“That’s impossible,” the stranger said. “Did you give it to her as I instructed?”

“Of course, I did, you idiot!” she snapped. “It didn’t work. She survived.”

There was a pause before the voice replied. “I have something stronger. Black market stuff. You interested?”

Stacey’s lips curled into a wicked smile. “Meet me at the usual place.”

She ended the call and stared at her reflection again, her eyes cold and unfeeling. Tim thinks he’s won, but he’s wrong.

He and Lily would pay. One way or another.