Chapter 1

"Arthur, sign this. Your sister was responsible for her own death for sticking her nose where it didn't belong. Nobody else is to blame.

"Hudson just graduated, and his life is only getting started. Don't ruin his future because of your selfishness. At the press conference, you'll say it was an accident. Say your sister volunteered—"

The sharp crack of a slap cut Winona Graham off mid-sentence.

"Winona! Do you even have a conscience? You only survived all these years because Annabelle kept donating blood to you! Half the blood running through your veins now came from her!" I snapped.

Winona clutched her cheek and froze where she stood.

Before she could respond, Hudson Spencer suddenly rushed forward and planted himself in front of her. "Arthur, how could you hit Winnie? This was my fault alone. If you're angry, take it out on me. Don't lash out at her!"

He straightened his back like he was trying to put on a brave front, but his eyes kept flicking toward Winona. "Since I did it, I'm willing to take full responsibility. Winnie, you shouldn't have to suffer because of me."

The moment she saw that, Winona grabbed his arm and pulled him behind her, as if she were afraid I might lose control and hurt him.

Watching the two of them put on this pathetic act made my stomach churn.

I turned to leave, but Winona suddenly smashed the vase beside her and barked, "So what if she donated blood a couple of times? It wasn't that big of a deal. Stop bringing up ancient history and move on."

I stared at her in disbelief.

Several times in the past, when Winona had been on the brink of death and needed massive transfusions, my sister, Annabelle Langley, had risked her own life to save her.

My voice shook with fury. "So this is what you mean by moving on? Covering for a murderer? Annabelle was stabbed more than 20 times, and you're telling me she went willingly?"

I would never forget the look on the undertaker's face when I went to collect Annabelle's body. She said that after all her years on the job, she had never seen a body that had been mutilated so badly.

I tore the Letter of Understanding to shreds and flung the pieces right at Winona's face. "Forget about it. I will never settle, and I will make the murderer pay with his life!

"And you claim you'll take responsibility for this? Tell me how exactly you're planning to do that."

I let out a cold laugh as I walked toward Hudson. "My sister had 20 stab wounds on her body. How are you planning to answer for that?"

Hudson took a step back, obviously shaken by the look on my face, but even then, he still didn't forget to keep up the act. "If taking me to court will make you feel better, then go ahead. I just…"

He turned and looked at Winona, his gaze filled with tenderness. "I just can't stand seeing Winnie put in such a difficult position because of me."

"That's enough! Cut the act, Hudson. I'll make sure you pay for this."

With that, I turned to leave, but I had barely taken a step when Winona's cold voice came from behind me, "Arthur, if you're going to be this stubborn, then don't blame me for not showing you any mercy. All I have to do is say the word, and not a single lawyer in Norwell will dare take your case."

I clenched my teeth because even I hadn't expected her to be this cruel.

But since God had given me a second chance at life, I was going to clear Annabelle's name, no matter what it took.

After I walked out of the house, I started contacting lawyers, but just as Winona had said, every law firm in Norwell turned me down after hearing the details of the case.

I had already decided to take every cent I had and go to Jenver to hire the best lawyer I could find when Winona and Hudson showed up before me once more.

She had one arm around his waist, and her tone was smug. "So, Arthur, do you finally get it now? I told you to sign the Letter of Understanding, but you wouldn't listen. You had to blow this out of proportion.

"If you had just signed it, wouldn't this have been easier for everyone? In fact, we could've even paid for your sister to have a proper funeral and send her off with some dignity—"

"In your dreams!" I cut her off and stared at the two of them. "As long as I'm still breathing, I'm not letting this go!"

"Arthur Langley!"

Winona's voice chilled me to the bone. "You'd best consider your mom's situation. She's only alive because of that ventilator."

I stiffened at her words. "Winona, don't you dare touch her!"

She frowned as if she were reluctantly forced into this position. "I don't want to do this either, but you're forcing me to. I promised Hudson's sister I'd look after—"

"Shut up!" I cut her off before she could finish. "We've been married for eight years. Whether you're doing all this for Hudson out of gratitude or because you have some ulterior motive, you know the truth, and so do I."

I drew in a deep breath and finally said the words out loud, "Winona Graham, I want a divorce."