Chapter 1

The day I won a five-hundred-million-dollar settlement for my husband was the same day my sister was disfigured and left in a vegetative state.

I was ready to fight for my sister, but Harrison Holt threw a settlement agreement in my face.

"Sienna, Jade is a public figure. Those photos your sister took will ruin her reputation."

"You have two choices. Defend Jade in court, or I pull the plug on your sister's medical team."

"As a top-tier litigator, I know you can prove Jade's innocence."

I looked at him in disbelief, my entire body trembling.

"Are you forcing me to send my own sister to prison?"

We had been in love for ten years. He used to drink himself to the point of vomiting blood just to secure deals for my career.

But everything changed the moment Jade appeared.

Harrison pulled out a check and tossed it at me without blinking.

"Is this enough to buy your appearance in court? Jade is young and reckless. She has a bright future ahead of her."

"After this case is over, quit your job and stay home to nurture the pregnancy. I don't want people thinking I mistreat my pregnant wife."

I let out a bitter laugh as tears blurred my vision. I turned around and handed him a different set of papers.

"I want a divorce."

1.

"Jade took a blade for me. I'm the one who built her career from the ground up. She matters more than anyone."

"Stop being so dramatic. I won't let this little incident ruin Jade's future."

Harrison impatiently unbuttoned his collar. "I'm giving you two minutes. Sign the agreement and defend Jade."

Dramatic?

The word felt like a slap in the face.

My only sister was clinging to life after being beaten, and my husband thought my grief was just a performance.

"So, my sister's life and dignity aren't worth as much as Jade's reputation?"

My heart felt like it was being shredded by a blade.

Years ago, Harrison defied his family and gave up a multi-billion dollar inheritance just to stay by my side while I studied law.

From my undergraduate years to my doctorate, he was my rock. He loved me more than life itself.

Until a year ago, when Harrison was targeted during a fashion gala.

Jade had stepped in and taken a knife for him.

Since then, he had abandoned everything for her. He even skipped my prenatal appointments to be with her.

When I first questioned him, he held me and whispered.

"Sienna, I owe her this. You're the only woman I truly love."

Because of our years together, I believed him.

But two months ago, my sister, Rose, went to the airport to meet a friend. She accidentally caught Jade in a photo with a strange man.

That same night, Rose was beaten half to death and dumped at the airport.

I tried to check the security footage, but it was conveniently erased.

I only found out the truth from Rose's friend. She saw Jade's people drag her away.

And now, the man who once claimed to love me was using my sister's life to force me to protect her killer!

"What if... what if I refuse?" I asked, my eyes swimming with tears.

Harrison's expression darkened. He gripped my chin firmly.

"Sienna, do not try to provoke me."

A sharp pain shot through my chest. My tears soaked the legal agreement.

His face hadn't changed, but he felt like a total stranger.

Without another word, he dragged me to the door of Rose's hospital room.

Through the glass, I saw one of his men hovering over Rose's oxygen supply.

My breath hitched. "What are you doing?!"

Harrison stroked my hair, his voice chillingly cold.

"Sienna, being stubborn will only push me further away."

I desperately thrust the divorce papers toward him.

"If you sign these, I'll do it. I'll defend her. Is that enough?"

Harrison brushed it off as a temper tantrum and signed it carelessly.

"Fine. You have a month to play this game. Once you're done sulking, go home and take care of the baby."

Before he could finish, his phone rang.

His face shifted instantly. He turned and sprinted away without a backward glance.

But the man inside the room didn't receive a counter-order. He pulled the tube.

"No! Stop! Don't do it!"

I rushed in and shoved the man aside. My hands shook as I tried to reconnect the life support.

The heart monitor let out a long, flat whine. The screen turned into a mess of static.

Rose's eyes fluttered open for a final, agonizing second.

"Sienna... don't... suffer for me..."

"No! Rose, stay with me! Don't you dare close your eyes!"

I slammed the emergency button repeatedly.

The doctors rushed in, but they eventually stopped and shook their heads.

"Ms. Holt, we're so sorry. There's nothing more we can do."

I fell silent, gripping my sister's hand.

It was ice cold. There was no pulse.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... This is all my fault..."

My mistake was meeting Harrison. My mistake was trusting him.

The agony was a physical weight, crushing the air out of my lungs.

My only family was gone.

A sharp pain tore through my abdomen. My vision went dark, and I collapsed onto the floor.

The doctors scrambled to rush me into the emergency room.