Chapter 2

Zayden flew into a rage after getting hit in the face by a fistful of dirt. "You're a lunatic!"

He wiped the dirt off his face, and I'd be lying if I said his pathetic, bewildered state didn't satisfy me. The friends we were traveling with slowly swarmed us, hurling accusations and admonishments at me.

Quincey Jacobson, one of Zayden's friends, thundered, "You've gone too far, Noelle! How could you resort to violence after Erica was kind enough to give you her ibuprofen?"

I tried to explain, but speaking had become laborious. I could only breathe through my gaping mouth like a fish out of water. I felt like I was drowning every time I inhaled.

Tears welled up in Erica's red-rimmed eyes. She hid behind Zayden, playing the victim. The sight of it made me ill.

"Don't blame Noelle. I shouldn't have taken her medication in the first place, but Zayden told me we'd be family one day, and it was okay to share with family."

Zayden's face softened at Erica's words. He wrapped an arm around her frame. "That's right. Noelle was being unreasonable and bratty."

"Family?" I ground out incredulously. "How is she family?"

Looking stormy, Zayden warned, "Watch your words, Noelle. Erica is my younger cousin, and her health has been delicate since she was a kid. Surely an heiress like you wouldn't pick a fight with her over some pills."

Younger cousin? I froze. He'd never once mentioned his "cousin" in the last three years we dated.

Besides, why was he being so considerate of his so-called cousin as to steal his fiancee's life-saving medication for her?

Breathing became increasingly difficult, and my vision was blurring. The pain in my chest was so overwhelming that I couldn't stand upright. I held on to the car door to steady myself.

I leveled an angry finger at Erica. As much as I wanted to tell the truth, my mouth refused to form words. The only sound I could make was heavy panting.

Quincey's exaggerated imitation of me was followed by a mocking, "Goodness gracious, dabbling in performing arts, princess? It'd be a shame if the film awards committee didn't give you a prize."

The crowd burst into laughter. Even Zayden believed I was putting on a show to gain sympathy. He didn't bother hiding his disgust as he frog-marched me to the back of the car. "Enough of your tantrums. Stay here until you've calmed down enough to stop embarrassing us."

"Zayden, I might actually die…" I clutched his sleeve with shaking fingers.

He pried my hand off his sleeve impatiently. "That won't work on me. I've seen you fake an illness too many times.

"You used to fake stomachaches to skip school as a kid, then faked headaches when you didn't want to go to work. And now you're pulling this stunt?"

He shoved me into the cargo area of the car. Bang! The trunk door slammed shut, and I was left alone in the confined space.

Outside, laughter and friendly conversation ensued, interspersed by the sound of Zayden's gentle voice as he placated Erica, "Don't mind her. She's been spoiled rotten by her family since she was young and wants the best for herself."

"Does she really hate me, Zayden?" Erica asked demurely.

"No, she's tempestuous, that's all. She'll get over it in a while," Zayden reassured her.

I leaned against the trunk, feeling my breathing become more and more difficult. The thin air at high altitude made every breath hard, and the confined space made it even worse.

I had five percent left on my phone battery. With trembling fingers, I attempted to call 911 for help.

Unfortunately, my traitorous body refused to obey me. I couldn't even lift my arm.

Devastation consumed me, as did the darkness that settled around me in this confined space. I smacked the rear window with all the strength I could muster. My palms were red and stinging from the effort.

However, no one outside paid me any attention.

The confined space was bearing down on me, turning breathing into an extreme exercise. The pain in my chest sharpened with every second.

I didn't know how much time had passed before the door was finally opened again.

It was Erica.

A triumphant smile played on her lips as she crouched before me. She looked at me with a savage gleam in her eyes. "You know, Noelle, Zayden got tired of you a long time ago."

I glowered at her with wide eyes. I wanted to snap at her, to retort, but all I could do was pant.

Erica continued, "He said you were just like a porcelain doll, easily broken by the slightest touch. Bringing you along is no different than dragging around dead weight."

She produced the bottle of medication she'd taken from me, dangling it before my eyes. "These pills are expensive, right? It's too bad you won't be eating them."