Chapter 3

3

"Nora, you're finally back! I'm never letting you leave again."

Chloe Miller squeezed my hand and looked me up and down like she was checking for injuries.

Her voice cracked as she said, "Caleb is a piece of trash. I can't believe he lied to you and used you as a nanny."

"And he wanted your liver for his sister? The man has no shame."

Watching Chloe get so angry on my behalf made my emotions bubble over again.

She saw me crying and immediately started shushing me, trying to comfort me.

I held back my tears and told her the whole truth―how Caleb and Mandy planned to kill me for my money.

Chloe's face turned bright red with rage.

Before she could explode, her uncle, Silas Miller, beat her to it.

"He's a dead man," Silas growled.

His voice was so cold and full of fury that both Chloe and I jumped.

He pulled out his phone and made a call. "Run a full check on Caleb Sterling and Mandy Sutton. I want everything on my desk by morning."

I looked at him in surprise. He seemed even angrier than I was.

Silas caught my eye and quickly looked away, looking strangely awkward.

Chloe saw the tension and pulled me toward the exit. "Don't worry, Nora. With my uncle involved, those two are going to pay for what they did."

I was deeply moved by her words.

Even Chloe's uncle, who I barely knew, was willing to protect me.

Meanwhile, the man I'd spent two years with was planning to harvest my organs and take my life.

It was as heartbreaking as it was pathetic.

I had just finished dinner with Chloe when my phone buzzed.

It was an unknown number from Savannah.

Thinking it was the real estate agent, I picked it up.

It was Caleb.

He must have borrowed someone else's phone. As soon as I answered, his screaming hit my ear.

"Nora Vance, where the hell are you? You actually blocked me? Who do you think you are?"

"It's almost night. Why aren't you at the hospital? Are you trying to throw a tantrum because you know Cassie only wants you?"

"You think threatening me like this will work? I'm telling you, there are plenty of people who can do your job."

"You have thirty minutes to get back here and apologize to Cassie. She almost had an attack because of your drama! If you don't shape up, forget about the marriage license tomorrow!"

He sounded so entitled it was actually comical.

Did he only realize I was angry after he saw he was blocked?

Even knowing I was mad, he wouldn't lower himself to apologize.

He just kept blaming me and trying to break my spirit.

He probably thought that by calling me, I'd be so honored that I'd run back to be his slave.

On the other end, Caleb was still using the wedding as a threat.

Too bad for him, I didn't give a damn anymore.

I let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Caleb, did a zombie eat your brain? I told you, I'm not marrying you."

"Do you not understand English?"

"It means the wedding is off! I'd rather marry a stray dog than you!"