The Price of Betrayal novel Chapter 5

I first met Jack at Walker Corp.

I was doing an internship there, starting from the bottom despite being the owner's daughter. Just another face in the crowd, learning the business from scratch.

Jack started as an intern the same day. He wasn't brilliant - actually seemed kind of slow. But coming from a small town, he had this incredible work ethic.

Every time I passed his desk, he was buried in work. The focus in his eyes caught my attention.

When HR wanted to let him go, I quietly pulled some strings. Got him promoted early.

His face lit up that day like a kid at Christmas. After that, he worked even harder.

What drew me to him was his grit. His refusal to give up.

As we grew closer, I discovered another side to the quiet guy. He could be surprisingly funny, making me laugh until my sides hurt.

Everything felt natural with him. Even our silences were comfortable.

Then came that night at Murphy's Bar.

My mom had just died. I was drinking alone, drowning my grief. Outside, some drunk guys started harassing me.

That's when Jack showed up, like some hero in a movie.

He got beaten pretty badly, but he got me out of there. Watching him take those hits for me... that's when I fell for him.

I confessed while visiting him in the hospital. His eyes sparkled when he said yes.

He didn't mind our daughter taking my name. Treated her like a princess.

I gave him a division of Walker Corp to run, wanting him to have his own success.

He nearly ran it into the ground, but I didn't care. As long as he loved us, nothing else mattered.

For five years, I believed in the loving husband and devoted father he pretended to be.

Looking back now, I can't believe how blind I was.

The bar incident, his quick acceptance of the prenup, his constant devotion - it was all too perfect.

Like a movie script, written just for me.