She Stole Everything!

Rose was returning home from grocery shopping when she received the text. Once she opened the message, the bags in her hand dropped in the middle of the street.

The message she received was from her former classmate. It contained a link to a famous book. 

She opened the link and didn't give it much thought until she read a few lines from the first chapter. 

After that, she felt like her world turned upside down. It was her book. The same book that her boyfriend said was rejected by all publishing companies like the other 9 of her books.

Immediately, she checked the name of the author who stole her books. For the second time, her soul was sucked out of her body.

~MilaAustin

It was the name of her best friend. 

Without wasting another moment, Rose searched her name on other e-book sites and found all 10 of her books under Mila's profile. Rose's friend changed the names of the book strategically but the content was the same.

" No, this can't be. " Rose felt the ground slipping from beneath her feet.

For the last five years, she worked hard on the books and gave them to her boyfriend, Henry who agreed to work as her manager. Every time Rose gave him a book, he told her she was rejected.

Her heart was crushed every time she faced rejection. Recently, Rose even thought about giving up her passion for writing but now, she was seeing her books on different ebook sites. They had millions of views and people loved the stories she wrote. But they were not praising her for writing such heart-touching stories. They congratulated Mila for her commendable success.

With trembling fingers, she dialed Henry's number. As usual, he didn't pick up until several rings.

" Are you okay, Miss? " A woman rushed over to help pack her fallen things and asked.

" Yeah. I—I am fine. Thanks! " She stammered and ran away from there. The lady who helped her watched Rose's retreating frame and shook her head.

Tears were blurring Rose's vision while she dialed Henry's number on repeat. Eventually, she stopped when she received a simple message from him.

—I am in a meeting, Rosie. I will call you back in a while.

Approaching her apartment, she stared at the message from her boyfriend. He was always busy until it came to getting books from her or supporting her to continue writing. 

A sick feeling tightened Rose's guts. Without informing Henry, she hailed a cab and went to his apartment.

Unlike Rose who struggled to survive due to her constant failure to publish her book, Henry was ruling as a chief editor in his publishing company. They started dating in college five years ago because they were the perfect combo. A man who wanted to be an editor and a woman who dreamt of becoming a writer.

Rose wanted to focus on that. She wanted to believe that Henry didn't do this.

" Maybe, Mila stole my manuscripts because she works under the same company as Henry. " Rose murmured to herself.

" Did you say something, Ma'am? " The cab driver looked at her pale face in the rearview mirror. The woman kept shaking from the time he saw her and it was worrying him.

" No, I was talking to myself. " She replied sheepishly. Her cheeks were burning just like her eyes. She wanted to cry but she knew it was not the right time for it. 

Mila, her so-called best friend needed to pay back for stealing her hard work and dreams. Rose would sue her after discussing it with Henry and eventually, Mila would return everything that belonged to Rose.

The thought was fulfilling. Rose found courage and paid the cab driver. He left after throwing her a concerned look.

Rose stared at the luxurious building in front of her. The sick feeling in her stomach intensified.

Silently, she moved past the security and went to Henry's floor. She didn't need to worry about waiting for him outside because, in a drunken stupor, he had already told her the passcode to his apartment.

When she entered it, the door opened with a soft click. If it was any other day, she would think twice before barging inside but the shock made her crazy.

What awaited her inside was even more shocking. Right in the middle of the living room were the two people she sought. Together. Naked.

" Henry. " Rose gasped, placing her hand on the wall beside her and balancing herself.

The woman sitting in Henry's lap faced Rose. Her eyes widened before she scrambled away to gather her clothes.

" It's not like what you are thinking, Rosie. " Henry rose to his feet, not bothering to cover up.

" You and her… " Rose looked between them. Mila smiled at her. Her face was flushed and her body was still naked. 

Rose searched for any hint of shame on their faces but found a wicked glint instead.

" You cheated on me! " Rose pointed a trembling finger in Henry's direction.

" Calm down. It's not that serious. " Henry ran his fingers through his disheveled hair.

The audacity! 

" We were just having some fun, Rosie. He is still your boyfriend. " Mila's smile deepened as she leaned down, showing her bare boobs and marked neck in an attempt to grab her clothes from the floor.

" Are you crazy? I caught you two fucking each other! " Rose screamed. Her heart broke into pieces when they remained unfazed.

Henry dared to even roll his eyes. " You are always a drama queen. A little fun on the side is not that bad. You can try it sometimes. I don't mind. " 

" You are saying that I can fuck another man and you won't mind? " Rose's head was spinning. This couldn't be true. Until yesterday, Henry acted possessive of her and Mila called her every night to ask about her whereabouts.

When did Mila even return from her trip abroad? How long was this going on? 

Grabbing the side of her head, Rose looked around the apartment. Henry was saying something and Mila was laughing but Rose couldn't make sense of anything.

A cold hand touched Rose's arm. The ringing in her ears subsided and she jerked free. Her eyes met Henry's black eyes that held nothing but irritation.

" If you are so upset, I will not do it again. " Henry said, gripping her arm again. It was easy for him to say it but he couldn't tell that Rose's world was ripped apart by his ease.