After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 85

Gloria tried to brush off Elijah's patronizing "I'll take care of you forever" BS. Her focus was on getting that visa processed and getting the hell out of there. But Jenna? She had other ideas.

That morning, Jenna was suspiciously chipper, insisting they hit Rodeo Drive together. Minutes after sliding into the Mercedes G-Wagon, Gloria felt woozy. Then—lights out.

She came to tied up at some clifftop straight out of a crime drama, ocean roaring below. Nearby, Jenna was playing damsel in distress, bound in the same way—though something felt staged about the whole thing.

Gloria tried to speak through the duct tape, but only managed muffled sounds. Jenna caught her look and dropped the act with a smirk. "God, I didn't want to resort to this little kidnapping theatre. But after what Elijah promised you? Time to see who he really cares about."

Gloria's heart sank. Like that wasn't already crystal clear?

Right on cue, Elijah's Aston Martin screeched up, tires spraying gravel. He jumped out clutching two Gucci duffels. "Here's your damn money!" he snarled, throwing them forward. "Now let them go!"

Jenna's hired thug didn't flinch. "This isn't about cash, Mr. Phillips."

Elijah's face darkened. "What's your angle?"

The guy grabbed both women's shoulders, grinning like a B-movie villain. "Time to choose, rich boy. Daddy's friend's precious daughter or your smoking hot fiancée. Pick one to save—the other takes a scenic dive into shark territory. Tick tock."

He loosened the ropes, making them sway over the edge.

Jenna screamed like she was auditioning for a horror film. "Baby, please! Don't let me die!"

"Jenna, don't move!" The panic in Elijah's voice said it all.

Game over.

The thug's smile widened. Jenna visibly relaxed, dropping her Oscar-worthy performance. She shot Elijah her best lovesick look, but his eyes had already shifted to Gloria.

He expected waterworks, hysteria—instead, she looked eerily calm. Something about that resignation made his stomach knot.

Before he could process it, Jenna launched herself into his arms, magically free. "Baby..." he whispered, holding her.

That's when Gloria's rope snapped. One second she was there, the next—gone.

The Pacific swallowed her whole. As the current dragged her down, Gloria fought against the pull, but her designer outfit felt like concrete. Her vision started tunneling, and everything faded to black...

She wanted to run for the AV booth, but her Louboutins might as well have been cemented to the floor. The whispers turned to daggers:

"Girl's still thirsting after an engaged man? Talk about desperate."

"Crashing her birthday party? Psycho much?"

"Poor Jenna, stuck dealing with this bunny boiler even after the wedding..."

The drama caught the power couple's attention. When Jenna saw the screen, she went ghost-white, trembling as she shot Gloria a death glare. Then she bolted, tears ruining her perfect makeup.

"Babe!" Elijah started after her but froze when he spotted Gloria. Two strides and—CRACK. His hand connected with her face.

The room went dead silent.

"So this is your game, Gloria? Playing nice while planning this little show?"