Rain let out a whoop of joy, pumping her fist in the air. ‘Fuck yes! I knew you could do it, Clara!’

  But in the midst of their celebration, Rain couldn’t shake the unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. She tried Fay’s number again, but it went straight to voicemail.

  She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder and looked up to meet Lauren’s gaze, the warmth and understanding in her eyes a momentary balm to her frayed nerves.

  ‘As long as we have the money, Fay will be safe,’ Lauren reassured her, her voice soft but firm.

  Rain nodded, wanting to believe her words. ‘I hope you’re right.’

  A gentle tap on the door caused them all to jump, their nerves already stretched to the breaking point.

  ‘This is it. The moment of truth,’ Sydney said, her eyes flashing with anticipation as they quickly hid in the bathroom, leaving Clara to answer the door.

  Cramped together in the small space, Rain felt Lauren’s body pressed against her own, the heat of her skin a momentary distraction from the tension that coiled in her gut. Through the hidden camera, they watched with bated breath as Alex discreetly surveyed the hotel room, engaging in small talk with Clara.

  The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as they waited for the crucial exchange. Finally, Alex slid her hand into her jacket, retrieving a small envelope and handing it to Clara. In return, Clara passed her the money, the transaction smooth and practiced.

  ‘We’ve got her,’ Sydney whispered, her voice a mix of triumph and disbelief. ‘I can’t believe she would betray us like this. After everything we did for her.’

  Turning to Rain, Sydney’s expression softened, the anger giving way to a flicker of regret. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.’

  ‘It’s okay.’ Rain shook her head, the apology unnecessary in the face of the truth that had been revealed.

  They watched on the camera as Alex shamelessly flirted with Clara, right up until the moment the security guards appeared behind her. Rain wished she could have captured the look on Alex’s face as they exited the bathroom, revealing that the game was up, that her deception had been exposed.

  ‘This is not what it looks like, I—’ Alex stammered, her hands raised in a futile attempt at defence.

  ‘Save it for the police,’ Sydney cut her off, her voice hard and unforgiving.

  ‘The police? Hey, now hold on . . .’ Alex protested as the security guards ushered her into the room, her bravado crumbling in the face of the evidence stacked against her.

  Rain laid out the suitcase and the money on the bed, the sight of it a stark reminder of the stakes they were dealing with.

  ‘Do you know where Fay got all this money from?’ Rain demanded, her eyes boring into Alex’s.

  As Alex stuttered, trying to formulate a response, Rain noticed Sydney’s face had gone deathly pale. At first, she assumed it was the shock of seeing such a large sum of cash. But when she followed Alex’s gaze, she realized what had truly caught her attention: the photo of Fay and the mystery man.

  With trembling hands, Sydney picked up the photograph, her eyes widening in shock and betrayal.

  ‘Syd,’ Lauren said softly, moving to Sydney’s side, her own face etched with concern. Suddenly, a soft gasp escaped her lips when she saw the image, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place with sickening clarity.

  ‘It’s Ollie,’ Sydney said, turning to Alex, tears welling in her eyes. ‘He’s the one behind the drugs, isn’t he? The one who had an affair with Fay.’

  It didn’t take a genius for Rain to deduce that Ollie was Sydney’s husband, the man she had trusted and loved, the one who had now shattered that trust beyond repair.

  Alex slowly nodded, the fight draining from her body. If Rain didn’t know better, she could have sworn she saw a flicker of empathy in Alex’s eyes, a glimmer of understanding for the pain Sydney must be feeling.

  ‘I’m sorry, Sydney. I really am,’ Alex said, her voice heavy with regret. ‘He had us all stitched up right from the start.’

  ‘How?’ Sydney demanded, her voice cracking with the weight of the betrayal.

  ‘He had us deliver what we thought was mail to guests, but it turned out to be drugs. He took pictures and blackmailed us into continuing to do it.’

  ‘Us? Who’s us?’ Lauren pressed, her own voice tight with anger.

  ‘Jack and Denise . . .’ Alex said, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her confession.

  ‘Oh my god,’ Sydney whispered. ‘I don’t believe this.’

  In a daze, Sydney took out her phone and put it to her ear, her voice shaking with barely contained fury.

  ‘You’ve got one minute to let Fay call her sister and tell her that she is safe. One minute, do you hear me?’

  As she ended the call, Sydney collapsed onto the bed, her legs giving out beneath her. Rain could see the realisation dawning on her face, the sickening truth that maybe she didn’t know her husband as well as she thought she did, that the man she had loved and trusted had been living a double life all along.

  Within seconds, Rain’s phone rang, Fay’s name flashing on the screen. ‘Fay, are you okay?’ Rain asked, her heart in her throat.

  She could hear her sister’s ragged breathing, as if she had been running and crying simultaneously. ‘Yes, he let me go . . . I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Just go back to the flat and stay there,’ Rain instructed, the need to keep her sister safe overriding everything else.

  ‘I will. Thank you, Rain,’ Fay said before hanging up, the gratitude in her voice a small comfort in the face of the chaos that had unfolded.

  For a few minutes, the four women stood in silence, trying to wrap their heads around the bombshell that had just been dropped. Each of them grappling with the implications of Ollie’s betrayal and the depth of his deception.

  ‘Do you think I should call the police?’ Lauren said, breaking the silence, her voice hesitant but determined.

  Finally, Sydney broke the silence, her voice hard as steel, the betrayal evidently fuelling her resolve. ‘Do it. Make the call.’

  Lauren and Rain looked at each other, a whole conversation passing between them without a single word. They knew that this was just the beginning, that the fallout from this revelation would be far-reaching and devastating.

  And as Lauren dialled the police, Rain felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos, a glimmer of light in the darkness.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Ollie sat in his car, his head in his hands, as the weight of his actions crashed down on him. Sydney’s anguished voice echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the pain he had caused. He had never meant for it to go this far, but the truth was out, and there was no going back.

  It had all started with Fay, the alluring woman who had drawn him in like a moth to a flame. The secret meetings and stolen moments had been thrilling at first, but as the affair deepened, Ollie found himself tangled in a web of lies and deceit. He had lost himself in the heady mix of lust and danger, blind to the consequences.

  And then there were the drugs, a small-time operation that had spiralled out of control. As the money rolled in, Ollie had grown reckless, taking bigger risks and ignoring the warning signs.

  Now, he cursed himself for his foolishness and selfishness. He had shattered Sydney’s trust and destroyed the life they had built together, all for a fling and the lure of easy money. The impending scandal and public humiliation paled in comparison to the thought of losing Sydney forever. Tears streaming down his face, Ollie felt utterly lost and alone. He knew he had brought this misery upon himself, but that knowledge did little to ease the overwhelming despair consuming him.

  Desperate for closure, he called Sydney, surprised when she answered.

  ‘The police know everything. They’ve already taken Alex and Jack in for questioning. They’re looking for you too.’

  ‘I’ll deny they had anything to do with it. I won’t let them go down for something that was my doing. I’ll tell the police I acted alone.’

  There was a long silence, a sob.

  ‘I just don’t get it. You had everything. Everything. What more did you need?’ Sydney asked, her voice laced with pain and anger.

  A bitter smile played at the corners of his mouth.

  ‘I don’t know,’ he said honestly. ‘I guess I just wanted to feel like I mattered. Like I was more than just some washed-up loser living in your shadow.’

  ‘Well, congratulations,’ Sydney said sarcastically. ‘You certainly managed to make a name for yourself.’

  ‘Sydney, I . . .’ he began, his voice catching in his throat. ‘I’m so sorry. I know I messed up, I know I hurt you and everyone else. I just . . . I felt undervalued. Like I was just some accessory in your life, some trophy husband who didn’t matter. I wanted to carve out something for myself, to prove that I was more than just Mr Sydney Deville.’

  Sydney let out a sharp bark of laughter, the sound cutting through him like a knife.

  ‘Is that the best you can do?’ she asked incredulously. ‘You felt undervalued? Poor baby. Well, let me tell you something. You threw away everything we had, everything we built together, for what? For cheap thrills and some easy cash? You disgust me.’

  He felt tears pricking at the corners of his eyes, the weight of his shame pressing down on him like a physical force.

  ‘Sydney, please—’

  ‘You’re going to pay the price, Oliver. I hope it was worth it.’

  With that, she hung up. Ollie sat in silence, the reality of his situation sinking in. There was no way back from the hell he had created, and he had no one to blame but himself.

  With a heavy heart, Ollie started the car and drove off into the gathering darkness, ready to confront the ruins of the life he had so carelessly thrown away.

  Chapter Forty

  Lauren knocked on Sydney’s door, her heart heavy with concern for her sister. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, and she knew that Sydney was struggling to come to terms with everything that had happened.

  Sydney opened the door, her eyes red and puffy from crying. ‘Hey,’ she said softly, stepping aside to let Lauren in.

  ‘Oh, Syd,’ Lauren sighed, pulling her sister into a tight hug. ‘I’m so sorry. How are you holding up?’

  Sydney shrugged, wiping away a stray tear. ‘I’ve been better. It’s just . . . it’s a lot to process, you know?’

  Lauren nodded, leading Sydney over to the sofa. ‘I know, but you’re strong, Syd. You’ll get through this.’

  They sat in silence for a moment, Lauren’s arm wrapped around Sydney’s shoulders. Finally, Sydney spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

  ‘Ollie called me.’

  Lauren’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘What? When?’

  ‘This morning. He said he wants to see me, to explain everything.’

  Lauren’s jaw clenched, anger rising in her chest. ‘And what did you say?’

  Sydney laughed bitterly. ‘I told him he can rot in hell for all I care. I’m done with him, Lauren. I can’t keep putting myself through this.’

  Lauren nodded, squeezing Sydney’s hand. ‘Good for you. You deserve so much better than him.’

  Sydney sighed, leaning her head on Lauren’s shoulder. ‘I know. And I’m going to focus on myself for a while, you know? Pick myself up and start over.’

  Lauren smiled, an idea forming in her mind. ‘Actually, I have a suggestion. Why don’t you move out to the cottage for a bit? Get away from everything, clear your head?’

  Sydney looked up at her, surprised. ‘The cottage? But what about work?’

  Lauren waved a hand dismissively. ‘You can work from home. And I’ll come visit you with Ben whenever I can. It’ll be perfect.’

  Sydney considered it for a moment, a small smile playing on her lips. ‘You know what? That actually sounds really nice. A change of scenery might be exactly what I need.’

  Lauren grinned, already picturing Sydney relaxing in the peaceful countryside, far away from the drama and heartache of the past few months. And who knows? Maybe she’d even meet someone new, someone who would appreciate her for the amazing woman she was.

  The handsome neighbour sprang to mind.

  ‘Then it’s settled,’ Lauren said, clapping her hands together. ‘I’ll make the arrangements, and you can move in whenever you’re ready.’

  Sydney hugged her sister tightly, tears of gratitude welling up in her eyes. ‘Thank you, Lauren. For everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

  Lauren hugged her back, her own eyes misty. ‘That’s what sisters are for. We stick together, no matter what.’

  As they sat there, holding each other close, Lauren knew that Sydney would be okay. She was strong, resilient, and had a heart of gold. And with time and love, she would heal and find happiness again.

  Suddenly, Sydney pulled back, a serious look on her face. ‘Lauren, there’s something else I need to say.’

  Lauren frowned, concerned. ‘What is it?’

  ‘I think you should go and make peace with Jake. There’s been enough suffering, enough pain. It’s time to let it go.’

  Lauren’s heart clenched at the mention of Jake’s name. She knew Sydney was right, but the thought of facing him again, of reliving all the hurt and betrayal, was almost too much to bear.

  But as she looked into her sister’s eyes, saw the love and concern shining there, Lauren knew that she had to try. For herself, for her family, and for the chance at a brighter future.

  ‘You’re right,’ she said softly, squeezing Sydney’s hand. ‘It’s time to let the past go and start fresh. For all of us.’

  The next day, Lauren found herself standing outside Jake’s room, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been up all night, rehearsing what she would say, trying to find the right words to express the tangled mess of emotions that had been weighing her down for so long.

  Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door, her hand trembling slightly. When Jake called out for her to enter, she stepped inside, her eyes locking with his across the room.

  ‘Lauren,’ he said, surprise evident in his voice. ‘What are you doing here?’

  Lauren swallowed hard, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. ‘I came to talk, Jake. To clear the air between us.’

  Jake stepped aside, letting her into the room.

  ‘I’m guessing you’ve heard about all the drama that’s gone down?’ she said, perching on the edge of the bed as Jake sank down beside her.

  ‘You knew it was Ollie having the affair, didn’t you?’ Lauren asked, cutting straight to the chase.

  Jake sighed, running a hand over his face. ‘Yeah, I knew about the affair. But I swear, I had no idea about the drugs.’

  Lauren frowned. ‘Why didn’t you tell me the truth?’

  Jake gave her a sad smile. ‘Because I knew that you weren’t in love with me anymore, Lauren. I thought it would be an easy out for you, and I couldn’t bear to see Sydney’s heart get shattered. Ollie promised me it was just a fling, that it didn’t mean anything. And like an idiot, I believed him.’

  Lauren’s stomach churned. ‘Did my mum know?’

  Jake nodded. ‘Yes, she wanted to protect Sydney too. That’s when we cooked up the plan to make her think I was the one cheating.’

  ‘And that’s why she gave you the job instead of Oliver?’ Lauren couldn’t bring herself to use his nickname, the one they’d all called him for years.

  ‘Yeah, you know she never trusted the guy. Guess she had damn good reason.’

  Lauren shook her head, still struggling to wrap her mind around it all. ‘I just can’t believe it. Oliver’s the last person I would’ve pegged as a drug kingpin.’

  Jake shrugged. ‘So, what’s your plan now? You gonna stick around at the hotel?’

  ‘I have to. We’ll need to do some serious damage control once this scandal hits the news.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll handle it just fine. You ladies are a force to be reckoned with.’

  Lauren gave him a curious look. ‘What about you? What are you gonna do?’

  Jake hesitated for a moment. ‘I’ve been thinking about a career change, actually.’

  ‘Oh yeah? What’d you have in mind?’

  ‘I’ve always kind of seen myself as a teacher. Shaping young minds, making a difference.’

  Lauren grinned. ‘I can totally see you as a teacher. Ben would think it’s so cool to have a dad who’s moulding the next generation.’

  Jake laughed. ‘Well, if it’ll make me look cool to my kid, I guess I’d better do it.’

  Lauren’s smile faded, and she looked down at her hands. ‘I’m really sorry things ended like this between us.’

  He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. ‘Don’t be. We gave it our best shot, and we’ve got an amazing son to show for it.’

  Lauren stood up, suddenly feeling awkward. ‘I should probably get going.’

  Jake raised an eyebrow. ‘Got a hot date?’

  Lauren felt her cheeks flush, and Jake chuckled.

  ‘Relax, I figured out there was something between you and Rain the first time I saw you together. You looked at her in a way you never looked at me, not even when things were good between us.’

  Lauren’s heart clenched. ‘I feel so guilty. If I’d known you hadn’t actually cheated, I never would’ve let things start with Rain.’

  Jake held up a hand. ‘Lauren, I didn’t say I was faithful. I just said it wasn’t with Fay.’

  Lauren blinked, stunned. ‘Oh. Well, thanks for being honest, I guess.’

  ‘It’s the least I can do. I want you to go into this new relationship without any baggage. Our marriage was over long before you met Rain. I just couldn’t admit it to myself.’

  He stood up and pulled Lauren into a hug. ‘I bet Ben’s going to think it’s pretty awesome to have two mums and a dad.’

  Lauren laughed, pulling back. ‘It’ll be a while before I introduce them. I think Rain and I need to figure out this new thing between us first.’