Chapter 1

My fiancée of three years announced she wanted my best friend at our engagement party. To repay a debt of gratitude, I turned around and married the high-society heiress, Sienna Ashford. For five years, we were the perfect couple.

She clung to me every night, whispering that I was the only one she ever loved. I truly believed we had found our happily ever after.

Then I saw her at the hospital, pale and weak, ordering her assistant to keep the news quiet. She didn't want me to know she had secretly undergone a procedure to ensure she would never carry my child.

Her friend asked worriedly, "Sienna, if Caleb finds out, he'll be more than just angry."

She looked completely indifferent. "I only married him for Everett's sake. I just wanted to keep an eye on him so he wouldn't ruin Everett's happiness."

"As for having his baby? Don't even dream about it."

I didn't storm in to scream or cry. I just walked away in the silence of my broken heart. On our anniversary, I planned a final exit into the ocean.

From that moment on, whether in heaven or hell, I would never see her again.

1.

The dark web page vanished from my screen, and I let out a long, shaky breath. The contact on the other side said everything would be arranged in three days. I just had to follow the plan.

In three days, I would vanish from this world completely. I would vanish from Sienna Ashford's life forever. I set a countdown on my phone.

Watching those bright red numbers tick down felt like they were mocking my five years of stupidity. Sienna pushed the door open just as I was staring at the screen.

She had that sweet, familiar smile as she curled into my arms. "What are you doing? You're so focused on that phone," she asked playfully.

Her expensive perfume filled my nose. It was a scent I used to adore, but now it only made a sharp bitterness spread through my chest.

For five years, she played the role of a devoted wife. At least, that was the performance she gave. Everyone in the elite Manhattan circles knew that a goddess like Sienna was wrapped around my finger.

She always told the story of how she fell for me thirteen years ago. She claimed she saw me getting cornered by a group of thugs at school and stepped in to protect me. She called it love at first sight.

At our wedding, her eyes were red as she sobbed through her vows. She said marrying me was the greatest wish of her life.

She knew everything about my past. She knew how much Lydia and Everett had hurt me with their betrayal. She used her family's massive influence to make Lydia's life a living hell and crushed Everett's career.

She swore that nobody would ever bully me again and that she would protect me forever. She played the part so well that I actually believed her. I thought I had found a woman who truly loved me and would sacrifice everything for me.

"It's nothing," I said flatly. "Just thinking about things."

She glanced down at the countdown. "Three days left? What's the occasion?"

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I kept my voice light. "My birthday."

Her face stiffened for a split second before softening into an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry, Caleb. I've been so swamped with work lately that it slipped my mind."

"We'll celebrate properly. Where do you want to go? I'll handle all the arrangements."

I looked at her and wondered if she was really saying my name. Or was she picturing Everett in her mind every time she called me "Caleb"?

I forced a small smile. "Let's go to the coast. There's a fireworks show at Bluebird Cove that night. Let's stay there for the evening."

She nodded happily, nuzzling against me like a satisfied cat. "I haven't been feeling well lately, but your piano competition is tomorrow. It sucks that I'll be home alone."

In the past, when she acted this pathetic, I would have canceled everything to stay by her side. This was her favorite trick to keep me from doing anything important.

Every time Everett and I were in the same competition, she would pull this move. I used to think she was just needy and wanted more time with me, so I spoiled her.

I even gave up major career opportunities just to be a quiet, stay-at-home pianist. Meanwhile, Everett took those opportunities and became the most famous viral pianist in the country.

Now I finally understood. It was all a setup to clear the path for Everett.

"Just rest at home," I said. "I'll come back to be with you as soon as the competition is over."

"No, I'm on my period," she pouted. "I just want you here. You don't have to try so hard; I already know you're the best."

Thinking about the real reason for her physical discomfort made my heart ache with a dull, heavy pain. Over the years, she had brought up wanting a baby multiple times. She even decorated a nursery.

But she never wanted my child. She secretly went behind my back to get a birth control device implanted. I fought back the urge to gag and pushed her away gently.

"Be a good girl. This competition is very important; I can't miss it. I'll make it up to you as soon as I get back."

It was the first time I had ever rejected her. The smile in her eyes faded instantly.

"Why do you have to go? Everett is going to be there, and I don't want you to be upset when you see him."

"Besides, no competition is more important than me. Just stay with me for a few days, okay?"

I stared into her eyes, trying to catch even a single hint of a lie. There was nothing. She looked completely sincere.

I swallowed the overwhelming bitterness and gave a slow nod. "Fine. I'll stay."

She lit up immediately and pecked me on the cheek. "I knew you were the best, Caleb!"

Her lips felt soft against my skin, but I felt a bone-chilling cold. She knew how much I loved the piano. She had promised to support my passion a thousand times.

But for Everett's sake, she sabotaged me again and again. This fake marriage was finally reaching its expiration date.