Chapter 1

Pedro Palmer's face twitched—panic, just for a second.

Then it vanished. He smirked.

"What, Ruth send you? Tell her it's too late. She's nobody to me now. She could drop dead in front of me and I wouldn't blink."

The room exploded.

Whispers flew.

"She bailed before the surgery, right? That's why his mom died?"

"No wonder he went full machine mode. Dude was out for revenge."

"With that empire he built? She's probably rolling in her grave. Faking her death? Talk about drama."

Pedro's jaw tightened. His whole vibe shifted.

Wendy Brown, sitting next to him, caught the change. She gave his hand a light pat—quiet comfort.

Nellie Lyon, the reporter, shifted, uneasy. Then, finally, she spoke.

"This video... Ruth asked us to film it before she passed. She didn't want you to see it. But we're showing it anyway. Sorry, Ruth."

She bowed. Three times.

Then hit play.

The screen lit up behind her.

It was a bridal shop.

There I was, glowing in the wedding dress Pedro designed—grinning like I had forever.

"Pretty, right? My boyfriend made it. Said I'd wear it on our big day. It just got finished. See the diamonds? He sewed them on one by one. Super rare, huh? Too bad... I won't get to wear it. Snuck in without telling him. Don't rat me out, okay?"

I stared at my reflection. Eyes rimmed red. "He's so good to me... too good.

"People say childhood sweethearts don't stand a chance, but Pedro's always been solid. Never once flinched.

"We've known each other forever. I don't even remember not knowing him.

"Sorry, I'm rambling. Sounds like I'm showing off, huh? But it's fine. I'll be gone soon. This kind of happy only gets to live in memories."

Then came the cough. Sharp. Brutal.

I clutched my chest.

The hat slipped off.

My scalp—bald and patchy—exposed.

Off-screen, Nellie's voice cracked.

"Ms. Rackham, don't think about that right now. There's still time. You'll be okay."

I smiled, soft and steady. Picked up the hat, slipped it back on like nothing.

"Why wouldn't I think about it? I'm happy. And happy things... they're meant to be shared."

But the tears on my face told the real story.

The video froze.

Pedro snatched the remote.

"What a performance. Ruth really thought this little act would erase what she did? Forget it. I've got Wendy now. We're getting married. We're fine."

The crowd lit up, echoing his rage.

"Right? He's getting married, and she drops this? What is she, the side chick?"

"Sweetheart or not, if she really loved him, why'd she let his mom die? She promised that kidney, then ghosted. Worse than betrayal!"

"Now his company's killing it and she wants back in? Typical."

"I know girls like her. Probably hiding out somewhere, loving the chaos. Bet she's not even dead."

None of them knew what I went through.

Mrs. Palmer raised me. After my parents died, she was it—my only family.

Watching her fade away hurt like hell. Maybe more than it did for Pedro.

And yeah, I was a match. But I couldn't help. My body was failing, and I hated myself for it.

Even if Pedro forgave me... I never could.

Pedro's expression hardened. He stood to walk.

Nellie blocked him.

"This interview was planned, Mr. Palmer. Please, just finish it. What Ruth went through—it wasn't any easier than your side of the story."