Chapter 4

The moment the livestream started, the live comments filled with people standing up for me, all calling Riley a homewrecker who'd stolen her way into her position.

The last trace of pity for me vanished from Felix's eyes. He handed me a slip of paper and told me to read from it.

[I'm sorry, everyone. My sister is Felix Skye's real wife. I've just been playing the victim for sympathy because I wanted to take her place.]

Riley put on a show of kindness. "Avery, if you're scared, you don't have to clear things up. I'll take the blame."

The corner of my mouth twitched, and I pushed her away.

Then, with everyone watching, I read the note out word by word.

I knocked my forehead against the floor in front of the camera, again and again. "I'm the homewrecker. I'm sorry..."

Public opinion flipped in an instant. The insults came pouring in.

[And to think we stuck up for you! Did your conscience go to the dogs?]

[A homewrecker who isn't even ashamed of it. So trashy!]

[How could you do this to your sister? You took advantage of our kindness!]

I just kept bowing my head to the floor, apologizing over and over until blood streamed down my forehead.

"Enough!"

Felix's expression shifted. He seemed even angrier than before.

The livestream ended. I limped over to him and held out my hand. "Money."

For a few seconds, the air seemed to freeze.

"Money, money, money! When have I ever let you go without food or clothes? How did you get so vulgar?" His eyes rimmed red, he roared at me, losing his composure for once.

Each word pierced my bleeding heart like a needle.

I forced down the taste of blood in my throat and choked out, "What if I were dying?"

"Why do you keep bringing up death?" Felix's eyes were bloodshot. He gripped my arm so hard it felt like it might shatter.

"If you really died, I'd bury every cent of that money with you, and I wouldn't shed a single tear."

"Okay."

I unclenched my fist, and something in my heart gave way.

Since I was going to die anyway, there was no need to beg anyone for tears.

I turned to leave. Behind me came Felix's furious shout, "If you're so capable, go sell yourself for the money!"

I didn't look back. In a voice only I could hear, I murmured, "That's exactly how I've survived these past three years."

Debt collection messages kept flooding my phone.

To get through my last few days in peace, I dug a gold-embossed business card out of my pocket.

Last week, that man had pulled up beside me in a black Porsche Cayenne and rolled down the window. "If you want money, come find me in this hotel room."

I followed the address on the card, knocked on the hotel room door, and smiled sweetly. "Sir, are you in need of any services?"

Felix tracked my location on his phone. It showed one of the most exclusive hotels in the world.

He frowned deeply, then started his car and drove there as fast as he could.

By the time he reached the hotel room door, he was so frantic he was ready to start cursing.

"Avery, I knew nothing was wrong with you! You've even got enough money to splurge on a luxury hotel!"

But the instant the hotel room door swung open, his pupils shrank in shock.