Shameless Cheaters!

" Don't touch me! " Rose whispered and stepped away from him to be free.

How stupid she was! She had supported Mila in establishing a boutique with her money and trusted Henry to be her editor. Here she was now. The two important people in her life were staring at her as if she was in the wrong, as if it was her fault that she caught them. 

" Rosie, we always share things, Baby. Why is it a big deal if I wanted a taste of Henry? " Mila pushed her stylish brown hair back and sauntered to her. " Listen. I don't love Henry or anything like that. Earlier, we had a company dinner and we drank too much. One thing led to another and here we are. This was a one-time thing. Tomorrow, everything will go back to the usual. "

Ha? Rose was speechless. Was this the same girl who called her every day to ask the little details about her life? 

" You are my sweetest friend, Rosie. I will never steal your man, " Mila placed a firm hand over Rose's shoulder and said in an arrogant tone. 

Rose knew she lost it right at the moment. She slapped Mila and pushed her away. Henry was quick to intervene. He shoved Rose away so hard that her head hit the wall and she almost blacked out.

" You bitch! " Mila shrieked. Henry didn't stop her. One after another, Mila landed three kicks to Rose's side.

Due to being on the ground, Rose couldn't protect herself. All she could do was place her arms in front of her face helplessly. 

" Mila. That's enough. " Henry sighed and pulled Mila to the side. 

The irony of the situation was that the cheaters hadn't even bothered to dress up until now. After catching them in the act, Rose would have never expected them to act so shamelessly. This only told her that she was up for a fight she was not prepared for.

" Rosie. " Henry clicked his tongue and helped her up. Despite feeling disgusted, Rose got up with his support and glared at Mila.

" You won't take him away from me? " Rose scoffed. " You know what? I won't keep a man like him. You can have him. I break up with him. "

For the first time, both of them looked surprised. It filled Rose with satisfaction. 

" No, you don't, Rosie. Stop saying nonsense. " Henry frowned.

" What? Did you think you would cheat on me, make a fool out of me and I would forgive you? " Rose scoffed, stepping away from Henry.

Her chest ached with heartbreak. However, she wouldn't admit it in front of the shameless cheaters! 

" Did you forget you will be a loser without Henry's help? " Mila folded her arms over her chest. " Rosie, don't be an idiot. Take back your foolish words and everything will go back to the way it was. "

" You take me for a fool, don't you? " Rose smirked, shaking her head. Her eyes burned with the unshed tears. 

Five years! She wasted five years of her youth on Henry. Now, she was already 29 and a lost cause.

" Come on, Rosie. I won't do this again. I told you. " Henry tried to hug Rose. She pushed him away ruthlessly. The thought of having his arms around her right after he fucked Rose's best friend was revolting. 

Henry's jaw clicked. " Stop being difficult! "

" I know about the books, Henry! " Rose yelled. " I know you stole my books, told me that they were rejected, and published them under Mila's name. I know everything. I know what this means. "

Henry and Mila exchanged a meaningful glance. Their expressions made Rose's heart almost stop beating.

" Rosie, who told you that nonsense? " Mila hissed.

" This must be going on for a long time. " Rose muttered under her breath. 

When she checked the publishing dates under the books earlier, she found out that the earliest release was four years ago. Her first manuscript was stolen and published under a different name by Henry's publishing company with Mila as the writer. This happened right after Henry told her that her very first book was not worth publishing. 

The realization drained the blood from Rose's face. They were at it for longer than four years.

" I can't believe this. " She whispered.

" They are my books, Rosie. " Mila said instantly.

" You want me to believe that? How stupid do you think I am? " Tears sprung free and rolled down Rose's cheeks. " How could you do this to me? After knowing how I struggled and what becoming a writer meant to me, how could you? "

" Calm down. Let's talk about it, Rose. " Henry approached her cautiously.

Rose felt chills running down her spine when he got close. She was in an apartment with two people who were caught in a filthy act and tried to assault her. She needed to get out.

" We will talk about it in court. " Rose announced and ran towards the door.

" You will do no such thing! " Henry and Mila were hot on her tail.

Luckily, Rose was out of the apartment by the time they reached the door. Due to their naked form, they didn't step out of the doorway but their fierce glares threatened Rose's safety.

" You have no proof. " Henry warned brazenly. His black eyes were red-rimmed.

" I will not leave you alone. You will pay it back. You will have to return what you took from me. " I turned and yelled. 

" Come in, Rosie. Let's talk. " Mila softened her words. " You can take some royalty money if you want. We can discuss it. " 

" Money? " Rose wiped her tears. " I never wanted money from those books, Mila. I just wanted people to know it's me. I wanted everyone to know that I am capable of making an imaginative world and that I am talented. I wanted to connect with the people who wanted to be a part of my world, who gave time to my stories and felt what I did. "

" That's impossible, you know that. If you go down the hard way, you will get nothing. Continue to write for me and I will give you half the money. Okay? " Mila offered with a twisted smile on her lips.

Her shamelessness didn't know any bounds. Rose's heart was truly in shambles.

" In your dreams. " Rose turned on her heels and started walking with a heavy heart.

" No one will ever publish your book, Rose. You know what power I hold. " Henry threatened.

Rose knew how true his threats were. He was the best chief editor in this industry. His word would be law. If he banned Rose, no one would dare to go against him but she refused to accept this atrocity.

Like everything else in her life, she would fight for this. Henry and Mila's threats followed her until the elevator's doors closed. Rose's strong front fell as she sobbed into her palms.

If she was given a chance, just one more chance at her life again, she wouldn't waste it. She would show the world that she was not an idiot who could be used easily.