Chapter 1

1

The virus broke out. Thousands of students were rushed to the ER, including my daughter, Maisie.

My husband, Silas Miller, was the only expert who had successfully developed the antidote.

He promised to deliver the serum today. It was only a thirty-minute drive, but no one ever showed up.

I watched, helpless, as my daughter's body turned cold and lifeless.

I called Silas, my hands shaking, desperate to tell him the news. But Seraphina Sterling, his first love, was the one who answered.

I broke down, screaming, asking why they couldn't just let my only daughter live.

Silas's voice roared from the other end of the line.

"It's just a virus, Elara! It's not like she's going to die tomorrow! Seraphina's daughter has a fever and needs someone to look after her. Can't you have some damn humanity?"

…

The operating room door opened for the seventh time. Seeing the hope in my eyes, the doctor took a deep breath and spoke wearily.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Reed. We did everything we could."

"If that serum doesn't arrive soon, I'm afraid your child will…"

He didn't need to finish. I already knew. I had watched them wheel over a dozen bodies out of this very room.

Those bodies used to be my students. They were vibrant, living children who called me teacher.

Before they went in, I had held their hands and made a promise. I told them my husband was a scientist and he was coming with a cure.

I told them to just take a nap, and when they woke up, they'd be back at school.

But now they were sleeping forever in the morgue. The incinerator's fire was already turning the hopes of a dozen families into ash.

The nurse told me this virus systematically destroys the immune system. In the end, the infected die in excruciating pain as their bodies collapse.

The red light of the OR flashed. The buzzer sounded like a reaper's scythe, tearing at my fragile nerves.

"You have to get that serum!"

"I only came out to tell you this! It's not just your daughter. All these children are waiting for you to save them!"

The doctor rushed back inside. I stood there, paralyzed with panic.

Silas… right… Silas has to have it.

It's fine. I just need to call him. One more time and Maisie will be saved.

I dialed his number again, my thumb pressing so hard on the screen that I felt it might crack.

He'll pick up. He's probably on his way right now.

I tried to comfort myself, but looking at the armed guards at the entrance, I made a silent vow.

If Silas didn't show up soon, I would risk my life to break out and find that medicine myself.

Just as I was about to lose it, the call finally connected.

My daughter was saved!

But before I could speak, a delicate, forced female voice came through.

"Hello? Is this Silas's wife?"

"My daughter has a bit of a cold, and Silas is busy looking after her. Is there something I can tell him for you?"

I knew that voice all too well. It was Seraphina Sterling, the girl he'd been obsessed with since college.

She was like a ghost that never left our lives.

Stealing my husband wasn't enough for her. Now she was stealing my daughter's life!

A cold? Please. This was a calculated move.

I shook with such rage that I couldn't catch my breath. My daughter was fighting for her life, and my husband was playing house over a fake cold.

I hated them.