The Heiress He Called Trash

The day before our seven-year anniversary, I landed in Austin, ready to surprise my fianc, Graham Prescott. After seven years of dating, this six-month leadership assignment was the last hurdle before our wedding. The last piece of his corporate gilding before he came home to New York for good.

In the back of the rideshare, the driver, a talkative man with a thick Texas drawl, was giving me the rundown on the city.

You in town to see your fella, darlin?

Something like that, I smiled.

Well, you picked a good time! Apex Holdings is throwin this massive Austin in Love festival all week. Real romantic stuff, you know?

A sweet warmth spread through my chest. Apex was Grahams company; he was the heir apparent. I nodded. Ive heard a little about it.

Suddenly, the driver pointed out the window. Hey, look! Thats their big ad campaign. Features the golden boy himself, Graham Prescott, and his fiance. Now thats a power couple, huh?

I followed his finger. There, on a colossal digital billboard overlooking the highway, was Graham. He had a woman Id never seen before wrapped in his arms, his mouth locked on hers in a passionate kiss that was anything but staged.

Beneath the image, a single line of text burned into my retinas: AUSTIN IN LOVE: A MATCH MADE IN AUSTIN.

I froze.

It seemed my fianc, in another city, also had a fiance.

I pulled out my phone and sent a single, terse message to my father.

Dad, pull the Apex investment.

1

My phone buzzed. A message from Graham popped onto the screen.

Hey, babe. Just finalized the design for the rings. This Austin in Love launch is absolutely swamping me, so I cant get away for our anniversary, Im so sorry. Ill be back in New York next week to make it up to you.

Hed even attached a photo of the campaigns event schedule, as if to prove his sincerity.

A chill crept up my spine as my finger traced the edge of the screen. He was a phenomenal actor.

The message was a masterclass in half-truths. The work was real. But so was the grand, city-wide romantic declaration he was orchestrating for another woman under the guise of that work.

The car pulled up to the gleaming glass tower of the Apex Holdings Austin campus.

As I stepped into the cavernous lobby, a wave of laughter echoed from the elevator bank. A group of impeccably dressed young women were fawning over a girl in the center of their circle, treating her like royalty.

It was the girl from the billboard. Brielle.

Brielle, youre just living a fairytale! one of them gushed.

Seriously! To get Graham to announce your engagement with a campaign this huge the entire city knows youre his girl!

And hes the heir! Were talking a nine-figure fortune, easy!

This is the most romantic thing Ive ever seen! Graham Prescott has to be the most devoted man in Austin!

Youre so lucky. You start as an intern and a few months later youre engaged to the boss. What a dream come true.

Total Cinderella story! When youre Mrs. Prescott, you cant forget about us, okay?

A smug, self-satisfied smile played on Brielles lips, though she made a show of waving her hand dismissively. Oh, you guys. Graham just loves a grand gesture. Dont worry, once were married, Ill be sure to put in a good word for all of you. She winked. The Director of Sales position is still open, right? Lexi, I think youd be perfect for it.

The woman named Lexi beamed. Oh my god, Brielle, thank you! I knew you were a real one!

The chorus of sycophantic praise swelled again. I stood off to the side, watching them, a silent observer to my own lifes demolition.

Graham was adequate. My father had never been impressed with him. He saw him as mediocre, coasting on his family name. Thats why my dad and I had made a deal: a seven-year trial period. Seven years to see if Grahams character was true.

Of course, Grahams cunning old fox of a father had run a background check on me the moment Id joined Apex. Hed approved of our engagement, then conveniently named his underperforming son as the heir, securing my familys backing. It was a neat, tidy transaction for everyone.

A shame Graham couldnt keep up the act until the final curtain.

Ding. An elevator arrived.

I stepped forward, but a hand shot out and shoved me hard. I stumbled, catching myself just before I fell.

Watch it, newbie. Got eyes in your head? The woman who pushed me was Lexi, her face a mask of contempt as she looked me up and down. Dont you know Brielle gets the first elevator? Learn the rules.

I straightened up, my gaze cold. No one, in my entire life, had ever told me to get out of their way.

Its a public elevator. I was here first. Why should I wait?

Lexi puffed up, ready to argue, but Brielle cut her off, striding over with an impatient sigh.

Which department are you with? Whats your name? she demanded, her tone dripping with authority. Do you have any idea who I am? Im Graham Prescotts fiance. The future Mrs. Prescott. And for your little back-talk just now, I could have you fired.

Could you? I reached into my purse, pulled out my corporate ID, and let it swing from my fingers in front of her face. Josephine Cole. Director of Strategic Partnerships, Apex NYC.

I leaned in slightly. So, Im curious. On what authority, exactly, were you planning to fire me?

Brielles face went blank. She snatched the ID from my hand, her eyes scanning the text.

Jo-se-phine Cole

Suddenly, her head snapped up. Her face twisted into a snarl, and without warning, she swung.

CRACK.

The sound of her palm connecting with my cheek echoed through the silent lobby.

Brielles features were contorted with rage. She pointed a trembling finger at my face.

So youre the bitch from New York, she screamed. Youre the psycho whos been stalking my fianc! You goddamn, shameless homewrecker! You actually followed him to Austin?

2

The commotion drew a crowd. The lobby, once a quiet corporate thoroughfare, was now buzzing with whispers and stares.

Stalking Graham Prescott? Is she serious? Shes a director from the New York office, isnt she?

You never know. Looks can be deceiving.

Brielles voice rose, thick with indignation. Of course its true! Grahams told me everything!

She held her phone up like a trophy. He said there was this girl from college, an old colleague, who thought that just because she was senior and closed a few big deals, she could force herself on him! He said he didnt want to make a scene, so he put in for the transfer to Austin just to get away from her!

Her voice dripped with manufactured pity. And this pathetic woman actually followed him all the way here! Shes obsessed!

Brielle angled her phone so a few people nearby could see the screen. Look! These are messages from Graham himself!

Babe, Josephine used another deal to try and pressure me today. Its driving me crazy.

Shes a top performer, so my dad loves her. Otherwise, I wouldve had her fired months ago.

She cornered me today with some bullshit about a quarterly report. If we werent at the office, I swear I wouldve lost it on her.

Shes a fucking psycho. I feel like shes suffocating me.

Thank God I came to Austin and met you. Youre my salvation.

Babe, being with you is the only time I feel like I can breathe.

Every word was a lie, a twisted inversion of our life together. Each one a dagger in my heart.

He claimed I used my work to harass him.

He claimed every day with me was a living hell.

He claimed I was a disgusting, obsessive stalker he couldnt shake.

I joined Apex because he told me hed found the perfect job for me, a place where we could be close. I didn't mind starting at the bottom, working my way up. I pushed myself, shattered sales records, and became a top performer to prove to my father that my choice in a man was sound.

My seven years of youth, of companionship, of devotion

In his narrative, it was nothing more than seven years of harassment. Seven years of me pathetically throwing myself at him.

I was the punchline to a joke I never knew was being told.

My hands clenched into fists, the blood rushing to my head.

The crowds murmurs exploded into open condemnation.

Oh my God, so thats the real story! Poor Graham!

She looks so put-together, so professional. Youd never guess she was that shameless behind the scenes.

What makes her think a man like Graham would ever be interested in her? She could chase him for a million years and it wouldnt happen.

Right? Our Brielle is beautiful, kind, from a good family. She and Graham are the perfect match!

Quick, get a picture! Send it to the company group chat! Let everyone see what kind of trash the New York office sends over!

Phones were raised, cameras flashing, immortalizing my humiliation for group chats and gossip-hungry friends.

Lexi, Brielles sycophant, sneered at me. You hear that, stalker? Get the hell out!

Apex doesnt welcome degenerates like you!

My fists tightened, my nails digging into my palms, then slowly relaxed.

Are you finished? I asked, my voice dangerously quiet.

How do you know hes telling the truth?

Did he forget to mention that back in college, he was the one who begged me to be his girlfriend? That he stood outside my dorm with flowers for three months before I finally said yes?

3

Brielle let out a sharp, derisive laugh. Her friends joined in, a chorus of mockery.

Graham chased you? Are you delusional? She gestured dramatically towards the giant billboard outside. Do you see that? The entire city of Austin knows that I, Brielle, am Grahams fiance. In what dream did he ever chase you? Should I call you an ambulance? Get you a psych evaluation?

The chatter from the onlookers grew louder, more pointed.

Yeah, delusions are a real illness. She needs help.

And shes a director from New York? Looks more like she escaped from a mental hospital.

Brielles smile faded, replaced by a cold hardness. Graham is a good man. Hes too kind to put you in your place. But Im not.

Today, she said, her voice low and menacing, Im going to teach you a lesson on his behalf, you shameless, pathetic woman.

Before the last word left her mouth, her hand was flying towards my face again.

I was ready this time, sidestepping the blow.

My evasion seemed to enrage her further.

You dare to dodge? Grab her!

Lexi and two others from Brielles posse lunged forward, seizing my arms in painful grips. I struggled, but another woman came from behind, twisting my arms behind my back and shoving me forward, holding me fast.

Its broad daylight! Youre going to assault someone in the middle of a corporate lobby? I spat.

What if I am? Brielle stepped up to me, patting my cheek with a condescending rhythm. Her eyes gleamed with triumph. Im going to be Mrs. Graham Prescott. The queen of Apex. In Austin, if I want to teach someone a lesson, whos going to stop me?

She savored my helplessness, her gaze raking over me before settling on my face.

This face this is your biggest asset, isnt it? The tool you use to seduce men? Her lips curled into a cruel smile. Today, Im going to ruin it for you. Lets see who you try to seduce after this.

CRACK! CRACK!

Two slaps, hard and vicious, rocked my head back. My ears rang, a dizzying white noise filling my senses. My cheeks burned with a fiery pain, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

I lifted my head, meeting her gaze with a burning intensity.

You will regret this.

Brielle laughed, a loud, ugly sound. She clutched her chest theatrically. Regret it? Oh, Im so scared. Whats a pathetic stalker that Graham threw away going to do to make me regret it? Seduce another man with that face youre about to have rearranged? Youre a disgrace to women everywhere.

She really is. Someone should just put her out of her misery, Lexi added.

The insults washed over me, a tide of venom.

Just then, my phone began to ring from inside my jacket pocket.

Brielle nodded at Lexi, who expertly fished the phone out and handed it over with a fawning smile. Its for you, Brielle.

Brielle glanced at the screen, a look of pure contempt on her face. Oh, whats this? Calling for backup?

She turned the screen towards me, her expression a mask of sadistic amusement.

The caller ID showed a single, simple name.

Dad.

Brielles mocking smile widened. Aww, is it your daddy? Does he know his precious little girl is out here acting like a common slut, throwing herself at engaged men?

I decided to bait the hook. You shouldnt answer that. You cant afford the consequences.

Ha! she scoffed. Not only am I going to answer it, Im putting it on speaker. Lets let your daddy hear what a worthless daughter he raised!

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