Chapter 9

• I heard the news from Sarah—Tila and Phillip were supposed to have a date tomorrow afternoon. The idea of them together, especially after everything I had been through, made my blood boil. But it also gave me an opportunity. If I could get to Phillip first, before Tila had a chance to work her charm, maybe I could turn things around.
• I needed Sarah’s help. Sarah was a journalist, and more importantly, she was also Phillip’s cousin. She had connections, and she could find out where they were meeting. I knew I had to act fast if I wanted to make a difference. Sarah agreed to help me, and soon enough, she sent me a message with the details of their meeting spot. It wasn’t far from where I lived, a quiet café on the edge of the city—a place where the rich and influential liked to gather. I knew it would be the perfect spot for a conversation with Phillip, especially if I got there first.
• The next day, I woke up early, determined to get ahead. I couldn’t let Tila have the advantage. I arrived at the café well before their scheduled meeting time, my heart racing as I stepped inside. The place was quiet at this hour, just a few early birds sipping their coffee. I took a seat, my eyes scanning the room, waiting for Phillip to show up. This was it. The moment I had been preparing for.