Chapter 143

Nicole snapped, "You didn't appreciate her when she was here, and now that she's in trouble, you're acting all dramatic. Who exactly are you trying to impress?"

I chuckled. Had I not been observing from a detached perspective, I might have believed she was the heroine. Nicole's acting was superb. She was clearly the mastermind behind my downfall, yet had the audacity to blame Chase. Everyone remembered Chase abandoning me at the altar, oblivious to Nicole's role in orchestrating it. She remained as cunning and malicious as ever.

When Nicole appeared, Davin's face brightened. "Nicole, you're closer to your brother. Please, talk some sense into him." But his gaze fell upon her wrist, concern etched on his features. "What happened to your hand?"

"I'm fine, Dad. Just go downstairs."

"But you're here all alone…"

"Chase's heartache needs a specific remedy. Too many people around when he's this agitated might not help."

Davin frowned, considering this. "You might be right. Just make sure you talk to him."

Davin departed with his bodyguards, carefully closing the door behind them, leaving them to stand guard.

On the rooftop, the wind howled, whipping Nicole's hair around her. She stood before Chase, who lay slumped, lost in thought. Had I not witnessed their earlier indiscretions, I might have believed his distress was genuine.

I had loved him completely, believing true love excluded others. We were childhood sweethearts, and while I had admirers, my heart belonged solely to him. The moment he wavered between Nicole and me, he shattered our love. His cowardice, clinging to pride while suffering silently, filled me with disdain. He seemed deeply in love, but it was a façade concealing his guilt.

Nicole looked at him with downcast eyes. "Chase, if you're planning to die for her, what about me? Don't you care about me or the baby anymore?"

Nicole always knew where to strike.

At the mention of the baby, Chase's eyes widened. His voice was rough. "Why are you even here? Are you happy now that you've driven Amanda to this?"

"Happy?" Nicole feigned innocence. "Chase, I won't deny I envied your gentleness with her. I wished more than once you'd treat me the same. My feelings were more envy than hate."

"We're sisters. What would I gain from her death?"

This ignited Chase's fury. He surged to his feet, eyes blazing, and grabbed Nicole's collar. "What would you gain? If Amanda died, you'd have me all to yourself. Was this your plan all along? You distracted me with fireworks while she died, didn't you? You bitch!"

As Chase raised his hand to strike Nicole, I realized I craved a more equitable confrontation—a showdown where both were equally matched in their deception.