Chapter 1

Midnight doomscrolling led me to a viral clip of a young man being pulled from a river.

He was sobbing uncontrollably into the camera. "She got back with her first love, the one who got away. She even planned a grand proposal for him, and I just can't go on living anymore."

The romantic setup he described was identical down to the last detail to the one my girlfriend had surprised me with.

Internet sleuths connected the dots in record time, and a wave of vicious cyberbullying hit me like a tidal wave.

I thought my girlfriend would clear my name, but instead, she quietly terminated our unborn child. Then she posted a public statement: "The grand proposal for my ex was just to settle old regrets. Caleb is the only man I truly love."

1.

"I am begging you, please don't walk out that door."

Inside the dressing room, I stood before Carina, stripping away every ounce of my pride.

She violently shoved my hand away, her eyes dripping with icy detachment.

"Caleb is standing on the ledge of a rooftop right now. If I don't get there this second, he's going to jump."

"But tonight is the biggest concert of my entire career! If you don't speak up and clear my name, my whole life is ruined!"

I planted myself directly in her path, praying she would come to her senses and stay.

Yet her gaze remained merciless.

"Is your job more important than a human life?"

"Get out of my way, Tristan. I don't have time for your selfish nonsense."

She knew better than anyone that this was never about fame or ambition.

I had spent three grueling years preparing for this arena tour, rehearsing until my vocal cords bled.

The only reason I pushed myself so hard was the million-dollar bonus the label promised me after the show.

I desperately needed that cash.

My mother was lying in an ICU hospital bed, waiting for that money to pay for her life-saving surgery.

Outside, before the opening chords could even play, angry crowds were already screaming for refunds.

Ever since Caleb jumped into that river two days ago, the internet had branded me as the villain who stole another man's woman.

The online harassment had escalated into real-life fury.

They accused me of forcing Carina to take me back, claiming I had returned from abroad just to wreck their happy home.

The agency had given me an ultimatum: clear the scandal immediately, or cover all the financial losses out of my own pocket and forfeit the bonus.

"My mom is literally dying, Carina."

My knees hit the hardwood with a loud thud. I clutched the hem of her pants like a stray dog begging for scraps.

"If you don't tell them the truth, the show is canceled, and I won't get a single penny to save her."

My manager couldn't bear to watch any longer.

"Carina, please. This show is Tristan's lifeline. Clearing things up will take you ten minutes tops."

My assistant chimed in with tears in her eyes. "She's right, Carina. You're the only person the public will believe."

"You claim you love him, so why can't you just say a few words to save him?"

"Shut up, all of you!"

Carina shoved me back with brutal force, her voice echoing off the walls in a furious roar.

"A man's life is hanging by a thread right now!"

Without looking back, she stormed out into the corridor.

A sharp, suffocating ache ripped through my chest.

"Does Caleb really matter more to you than everything we have, Carina?"

"Which one of us is actually your fiancé?"

She gave no answer as her figure vanished down the hallway.