Chapter 030

~~Sandra~~ I stood on the balcony in my room, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. My mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts, each one more overwhelming than the last. My life was crashing down around me, and I felt powerless to stop it. Frustration and despair swirled inside me like a toxic storm. My modeling career, once my pride and joy, was now in shambles. Kate Marshall, my rival, had stolen all my gigs and supporters, leaving me with nothing. The thought of it made my blood boil with anger and resentment. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. Aiden, the man I loved, had married someone else just three months after our breakup. The pain of that betrayal still lingered, a raw and gaping wound that refused to heal. I couldn't help but wonder what I had done wrong, what I could have done differently to prevent it. As I paced back and forth, my mind replayed all the what-ifs and maybes. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, with no lifeline in sight. I needed help, someone to stand by me and support me, but Aiden was now out of reach. The growl of my stomach interrupted my thoughts, a harsh reminder of my current reality. "Layla, please bring me my food," I yelled out of habit, before remembering that I had sent all the maids on leave due to my financial struggles. I was alone in this huge house, with no one to turn to. A sigh of frustration escaped my lips as I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I opened the fridge, hoping to find something, anything, to eat. But it was empty, a bleak reminder of my current situation. "Oh crap, not again," I muttered to myself, feeling like I was hitting rock bottom. I grabbed my keys and set out for the supermarket, feeling like I was walking through a nightmare. My life was a mess, and I didn't know how to fix it. As I wandered through the supermarket aisles, I stumbled upon a heated argument between a woman and a man. My curiosity piqued, I drew closer, and my eyes widened in surprise. The woman was none other than Aiden's wife, her face red with anger. The man's voice was low and menacing, and Aiden's wife looked like she was about to burst into tears. Just as it seemed like things were about to escalate, one of Aiden's guards appeared out of nowhere, his eyes scanning the area before settling on the arguing couple. Aiden's wife looked relieved, but the man's expression turned even darker. The guard's presence seemed to diffuse the situation, and the man stormed off, leaving Aiden's wife looking shaken. I watched as the guard spoke to Aiden's wife, his expression softening as he listened to her. I felt a pang of guilt and jealousy, remembering how the guard used to accompany me on my outings when I was with Aiden. But now, it seemed like Aiden's wife had taken my place. I felt defeated, like I was losing everything that mattered to me. As I stood there, frozen in my thoughts, the man who had been arguing with Aiden's wife stormed out of the supermarket, pushing through the back door. Something about him drew my attention, and I found myself following him. As I caught up with him, I flashed a sheepish smile and extended my hand. "Hi, I'm Sandra," I said, trying to sound friendly. But the man just stared at me, his expression blunt. "And why should I care?" he growled, his voice like thunder. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I withdrew my hand, feeling embarrassed. "Uhm... you should actually," I stammered. "Sorry for the disturbance, but I just wanted to ask one question." The man raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Which is?" he asked, his voice firm. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "Uhm... that lady inside, the one you were talking to. Who's she to you?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. The man's expression changed, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "That's my wife," he said, his voice firm. I felt a jolt of surprise, and my eyes widened. "Ex-wife, actually," he added, his voice dripping with bitterness. I let out a soft "oh," and the man looked at me, his expression curious. "Is that so?" I asked, trying to sound sympathetic. The man nodded, his eyes narrowing. "Well, that makes the two of us," I said, flashing a smile. The man looked at me, confusion etched on his face. "What do you mean?" he asked. I leaned in, a sly grin spreading across my face. "Well, your ex-wife there, is married to my ex-boyfriend. And from the look in your eyes, it seems like you still love her, don't you?" I asked, my voice dripping with malice. The man's expression changed, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of surprise in his eyes. "Oh really?" he asked, a smile curving on his lips. I nodded, my grin growing wider. "Now, I see where we're headed," he said, his voice low and menacing. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the man's intentions. "So... do you think you could help me get what I want?" I asked, my voice laced with selfishness. The man's smile grew wider, and I knew I had found an unlikely ally. "Things just got even better," I thought to myself, a sly grin spreading across my face. "I'm Evans," he said, his expression softening as he extended his hand for a handshake. I hesitated for a moment, my eyes locked on his, before slowly reaching out to take his hand in mine. His handshake was firm, but not crushing, and I felt a spark of electricity as our palms touched. I forced a smile onto my face, trying to appear friendly and non-threatening. "Nice to meet you, Evans," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside me.