Chapter 1

Malachi's POV

When I agreed to end the engagement, my fiancee, Sienna Crawford, looked taken aback. Her expression turned grim. She said, "I know you're dying to marry me. It's not entirely out of the question. Just give credit for the artwork to Ryan Chase, and I might still agree to marry you."

I simply stared at her and said, "Don't bother. Just answer one question, and I'll help you."

Sienna's gloomy expression immediately brightened, and she smiled mockingly. "You want to know if I ever loved you? Malachi Fallon, don't you think you're being naive?"

I couldn't care less about who she loved or who she wanted to marry. After all, I had only loved one person, and she died in a car accident trying to save my life. After her death, her heart was donated to someone else.

That was how I ended up by Sienna's side. I had gone from being the enviable heir of the Fallon family to a pathetic simp whom everyone around Sienna despised and looked down on.

But for me, as long as I could hear my lover's heartbeat again, it would all be worth it, even if I had to go through hell and back.

"That's not my question," I said. This was my last chance to confirm the truth. I steadied myself and asked, enunciating every word. "Sienna, I want to ask you something. Have you ever undergone a heart transplant?"

Sienna frowned. "What? My heart is perfectly healthy. Why would I ever need such a surgery?"

Sure enough, I had gotten the wrong person. My eyes filled with disappointment.

I looked down and said, "I'll call off the wedding. I won't participate in the competition either, and I'll give Ryan credit for the artwork. Finally, I wish you both happiness."

As soon as I finished speaking, both Sienna and her friends looked stunned. Then, one mocking remark came after another.

"Damn, I never thought the high and mighty scion of the Fallon family could be this pathetic! He'll agree to anything just to win back Sienna's heart!"

"He's the ultimate simp! Sienna has him wrapped around her little finger. She wants to call off the wedding, and he agrees. He even gives up his career for her. What a devoted lover! Too bad her heart will always belong to Ryan!"

"Enough! Everyone, stop," Sienna said, interrupting the others. It was the first time she had ever stopped them from mocking and humiliating me.

She stared at me, her expression grim. "Malachi, have you no self-respect? You just do whatever I say. You never even fight for yourself! I'm calling off the wedding, and you don't even get angry?"

I lowered my head slightly and laughed bitterly. There was nothing to fight for when I had gotten the wrong person.

"Nothing matters anymore," I said. "Not at this point."

Perhaps my dejected expression had affected Sienna somehow, because her eyes widened. For some reason, she seemed irritated. She suddenly grabbed my hand and said, "Malachi, you—"