Under The Billionaire's Control ✔

08 | Showing Jealousy

S A R A H

I sweeps the living room, trying to keep myself busy so I don't have to think about anything else. Yesterday's party felt so good and i am already missing Nayla and Ryan.

The front door creaks open, and my heart skips a beat. I turn around to see a woman standing in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the harsh evening sunlight streaming in.

She's stunning-long legs, perfectly styled hair, dressed like she's about to walk a runway. Her eyes narrow as she looks me up and down, her lips curling into a smirk.

"You must be the new toy," she says, her voice dripping with venom. "How much is he paying you to warm his bed?"

Her words hit me like a slap, and I freeze, gripping the broom tighter. "Excuse me?" I manage to say, my voice shaking with anger and disbelief.

She takes a step closer, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "Oh, don't play dumb," she sneers. "You think you're special? You're just another girl Noah's playing with until he gets bored."

I can feel my blood boiling, but I swallow it down, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break. "I don't know who you think you are," I say, trying to keep my voice steady, "but I'm not here for him, and I'm definitely not interested in your delusions."

My heart pounds, but I stand my ground, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break. "I don't care what you think," I say, holding her gaze. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

But her eyes gleam with something dark, something vicious. "Oh, I know your type," she hisses. "Little broken girl pretending to be strong. How long until you fall apart? Until everyone sees you for the mess you really are?"

Her words dig deep, scraping against old wounds, and it feels like my chest is caving in.

"Stop it," I whisper, my voice trembling. But Ryza only leans in closer, her smile growing sharper. "Oh, sweetie, you're nothing. Not to Noah, not to anyone. He just sent me here to see how easy it would be to break you. "

Her eyes darken, and I can see I've hit a nerve. "You think you're better than me?" she spits, stepping closer until she's right in my face. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. Do you really think Noah cares about you? He asked me to come here, to put you in your place."

Her words dig into me, deeper than I'd like to admit. My heart lurches, a sickening feeling settling in my stomach. I don't want to believe her, but doubts start creeping in.

Has this all been some twisted game?

"I don't believe you," I say, but my voice is weaker now, barely a whisper.

She laughs, the sound cruel and sharp. "Oh, honey, you should," she says, her eyes gleaming with malice. "He's just using you, like he uses everyone. You're nothing to him."

A sob chokes in my throat, but before I can crumble, a shadow looms over us.

"What the hell is going on here?" Noah's voice is a growl, raw with fury.

Noah stands between us, eyes blazing, and I've never seen him look so furious. "Get out, Ryza. Now," he orders, voice tight with restrained rage.

But Ryza just laughs, a cold, mocking sound. "Why should I? You wanted me to push her, remember? You wanted to see if she'd crack."