The Betrayed Rose Rises Anew

He called me his wild rose, the foster kid he rescued from the streets. He built me a gilded cage and told me it was love.

Then I saw the text: my best friend, Karis, showing off the engagement ring he' d just given her.

I rushed to his office, only to overhear the truth. I was just a "placeholder," a "stray he picked up," a useful toy to keep his family happy while he planned his real future with her.

He laughed about how easily he could control me.

"A little gaslighting, a few well-placed gifts, and she'll be back where she belongs. Under my thumb."