The Unshackled King (by David Wu) novel Chapter 78

She found herself wondering—what else didn't she know about him? How many layers were there to this man?

At the Christian Louboutin boutique—the one famous for heels—Stefan picked out two pairs that would make anyone with legs like Eliza's look absolutely devastating.

Eliza checked the price tags. Several thousand dollars for just two pairs of shoes.

After buying those two pairs of shoes, Eliza refused to shop any longer. He'd already bought her so many expensive things tonight, and she felt terrible about it.

"Stefan." She looked at him. "I'm done. Let's go home."

He glanced at his watch. "Yeah, it's getting late. Your parents will worry."

They walked out together.

As they did, the escalator on the right carried a well-dressed man upward. It was Fidel.

He just caught sight of Stefan leaving with Eliza.

Is that... Stefan? With a woman?

His eyes tracked them. The woman wasn't Sara—the one he'd seen at Southlake Pavilion.

Different face. Different body. But just as stunning.

Fidel's jaw tightened.

Who the hell is that? Another one. Another absolute knockout. Where did this guy keep finding them?

From his angle, he caught Eliza's profile. The curve of her cheek. The impossible length of her legs. The way she moved. Definitely top-tier.

Fidel's hands curled into fists.

This guy used to be nobody. A complete loser. What changed? What the hell happened to him?

Jealousy burned in his chest—hot, ugly, consuming.

Then something else flickered in his eyes. "Want to have it both ways, Stefan? Let's see how long that lasts," he sneered.

He followed at a distance. He pulled out his phone, found an angle and snapped several photos.

Then he opened WhatsApp, found Margery's profile, and typed quickly, "Guess who I just saw at the Dynasty Mall, Margery?"

He sent the message, then stared at his phone, waiting for Margery to reply.

*****

At Borian House, Margery lay in bed in her nightgown.

The lamp was on, but her eyes were empty. Her beautiful face, usually so vibrant, looked hollow, worn, broken.

Tears blurred the image.

In the photos, she saw the corner of his mouth lift—that faint hint of a smile. The kind of smile he hadn't given her once since getting out of prison.

There was a time when that smile was just for her. Her exclusive. Her proof that she was special to him.

Now? Now it belonged to someone else.

Another message from Fidel appeared. "He planned this, Margery. Your birthday party? Just an excuse. He's a player. Always was. Look at him—already moving on. You deserve better. Don't wait for someone who doesn't deserve you."

Margery was already on edge. Fidel's message landed like a match in a pool of gasoline. Her fingers flew across the screen.

"Fidel Payne. What happens between Stefan and me is none of your business. Stay out of it. You don't get to speak."

Back at the mall, Fidel stared at his phone. His face twisted. His grip tightened until his knuckles went white.

He saw Margery's reply—she'd used his full name. Something had shifted.

"Margery... what the hell is wrong with you?"

He couldn't process it. She'd seen the photos. She knew Stefan was with another woman. And still, she defended him.

"Why does he get that? Why not me?" His teeth ground together. "What does he have that I don't? He's out there with different women, and she still can't let him go?"