Chapter 1

I knew I was going to die.

When a plane falls from tens of thousands of feet, no one survives.

My hands gripped the armrests, my mind filled with hatred.

I hated this. I hated it so much!

I was only twenty-five. I'd grown up in an orphanage, managed to finish college, and moved to Silverlight City to start my career. By most standards, I was already luckier than many.

My life had just begun—and now it was about to end.

Maybe I should never have met Nicholas Jackson.

Then I wouldn't have accepted what his assistant gave me yesterday: a one-way ticket out of his life.

Just yesterday, Nicholas finally remembered I existed—his actual girlfriend.

He came to me and asked, "Tell me, what do you want?"

At first, I didn't understand. Then I noticed the cufflinks on his sleeve—a pair I recognized instantly.

They were the highlight of a recent auction, bought by Best Actress Abigail Rodriguez for ten million.

I'm not stupid. I understood immediately.

The woman he'd loved for years was back. He didn't need a substitute anymore. He wanted to cut all ties, to prove his loyalty to the real one.

After all, I was just an orphan.

After all, I had nothing to begin with.

I looked up and said, "I want thirty million."

"Thirty million?" He raised an eyebrow. "That's all?"

"I'm not greedy. Three years of my youth—ten million per year is enough."

He nodded. "Fine. But on one condition. You leave Silverlight City."

I'd expected it, but it still stung. "Why? Silverlight City is huge."

"She doesn't want you in the same city."

Perhaps feeling thirty million was too cheap, he added, "I can give you a property overseas. After this, we never see each other again."

I didn't answer, just stared at the reflection of the chandelier shimmering on the table.

"My assistant will arrange everything," he said, standing and straightening his suit. "You leave tomorrow."

Even with such rushed arrangements, I packed my things like I was supposed to and boarded the flight he wanted me on.

I never thought death would be waiting.

How ironic.