All This Time… He Was Waiting for HER - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

My best friend Jennie Steinfeld killed my mother—ran her over with a car the day before my wedding. And instead of holding her accountable, my fiancé flaunted their marriage certificate in my face like some sick trophy.
I dragged Jennie to court. Crashed their wedding. Demanded justice. But the world didn't see a grieving daughter—they saw a spectacle. A joke.
Then Corey Gail, my childhood friend, swooped in at my lowest moment. Dropped to one knee in front of everyone and promised to be my rock. I said yes. Handed him the reins to my mother's case. Believed him when he swore Jennie was rotting behind bars.
Three years into our marriage, I overheard the truth.
"Mr. Gail, did you really marry Winona just for that letter of forgiveness? It was just a car accident—why go this far?"
His answer shattered me.
"The only way I could sign that letter as family was by marrying her. Jennie's free. As long as she's happy overseas, nothing else matters. Not even what happens to me."
The life I thought was my salvation? A lie. Every tender moment, every whispered promise—just a means to an end. The forgiveness letter, Jennie's freedom—that's all he ever wanted.
I should've been the one to walk away.
Corey stared at photos of Jennie on his computer, smiling like a lovesick fool. "Three years of seeing her happy is enough, even if it's not with me. As for Winona… I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to her. Case closed."
His lawyer wasn't having it. "You're risking the entire Gail empire for a murderer! Jennie killed someone—on purpose! Why throw everything away for her? She doesn't even love you!"
Corey's voice turned to ice. "Enough. I don't believe she meant to do it. I've handled Aunt Edna's funeral. That's my apology to the Zettels. I'd give my life for Jennie's freedom if I had to."
The lawyer's panic spiked. "And Winona? What happens when she finds out you used her name to free her mother's killer? How's she supposed to live with that?"
Corey lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Then she'll never know. Jennie's getting out soon. Make sure Winona stays in the dark."
"Justice always catches up, Mr. Gail. When she finds out, you'll lose everything."
Tears burned down my face. My hands shook so badly I nearly dropped the lunch I'd brought him. Footsteps approached—I barely made it to the stairwell in time.
So my mother's death was never even a case. Jennie wasn't in prison. She was living it up abroad, untouched.
And the man I loved—the one I trusted with my broken heart—had orchestrated it all. Every soft word, every sacrifice, just a performance to save the woman he truly loved.
Three years of marriage. Three years of lies.
I thought I was happy.
I was in hell.
Laughing through the tears, I stumbled down the stairs and stood in front of his company, the truth like a knife in my chest.
Loving a Liar.