Chapter 1

Ethan Vanderbilt was my world for ten years, my everything.

We built a life, dreamed of a future, simple things.

Then his car wrapped around a pole one rainy night.

The doctors said his kidneys were failing, fast. He had amnesia too, didn't know me, didn't know himself.

He needed a kidney, or he would die.

I didn't think twice, I signed the papers, gave him one of mine.

They said it was a perfect match. I thought it was a sign.

I woke up sore, but hopeful. He would live.

That' s when Eleanor Vanderbilt, his mother, walked into my recovery room.

She never liked me, said I wasn't their kind.

"Brittany Covington saved Ethan," she said, her voice cold like ice.

"Brittany is his fiancée, she gave him her kidney."

I stared at her, the room spinning a little.

"What are you talking about? I gave Ethan my kidney."

Eleanor smiled, a thin, cruel line.

"You were his assistant, dear. A temporary one. Your obsession is unhealthy."

Brittany Covington, a woman I knew had chased Ethan for years, appeared behind Eleanor.

She looked down at me in the bed, a smug look on her face.

"He knows I'm the one who loves him, the one who saved him," Brittany said.

I tried to sit up, pain shot through my side.

"Ethan knows me, he loves me," I whispered, my voice hoarse.

They laughed.

Later, I was strong enough to walk, I had to see him.

I found Ethan' s private room, Eleanor and Brittany were there, fawning over him.

Chloe, Ethan' s younger sister, sneered when she saw me.

"Look who it is, the stalker," Chloe said.

Ethan looked at me, his eyes blank, no recognition.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice weak but firm.

"Ethan, it's me, Sarah," I pleaded, tears welling up. "Your Sarah."

Brittany stepped in front of him. "She' s just a former assistant, darling. Clearly delusional."

Eleanor nodded. "Security will remove her."

"No, Ethan, please," I begged, reaching for him.

He flinched. "Get her away from me."

Two large security guards grabbed my arms.

They dragged me out, Eleanor' s sharp voice followed, "And make sure she doesn't come back."

In the corridor, Brittany and Eleanor cornered me.

"You thought you could marry into this family?" Eleanor hissed, her face close to mine.

Brittany shoved me hard against the wall, my incision screamed in protest.

"He's mine now," Brittany spat. "You're nothing."

Eleanor slapped me across the face, the sting sharp and sudden.

"Stay away from my son."

I stumbled back, holding my cheek, my side throbbing.

I remembered a night, years ago, Ethan and I were caught in a thunderstorm on a camping trip.

Our tent leaked, we were soaked and cold.

Ethan held me tight, "As long as I have you, Sarah, nothing else matters. I'll always protect you."

He kissed my forehead, his love a warm blanket.

Now, that same Ethan looked at me like I was dirt.

The memory was a fresh stab of pain, sharper than the physical ache.

They left me there, crumpled in the hospital hallway, my sacrifice twisted into a lie, my love erased.

The world felt tilted, unreal.