Chapter 3

The moment I answered, a blast of noise hit my ear.

Chloe's voice cut through the commotion. "Sis, I heard you're holding a memorial service for Alex? Maybe you're overwhelmed with grief, but no one has confirmed his death. Everyone in our circles is laughing at you, saying you've lost your mind. Cancel the memorial now, or your reputation will..."

If I hadn't seen the recordings, her concern might have fooled me.

Now, it was almost funny.

"You only got into those circles because of me. You don't get to judge me."

I hung up before Chloe could finish, then switched off my phone.

I pulled a blanket over myself and curled up on the couch.

For the first time in three months, I slept soundly.

The next morning, I went before a judge with my attorneys and an expedited court order. We froze every account tied to Alex and had him listed as deceased.

Once everything was done, I marched into Chloe's Pilates studio in my heels.

The front desk staff tried to stop me, but I pushed past them and opened the door to the training area.

Chloe wore tight yoga attire that hugged her figure. Faint hickeys were still visible on her collarbone.

When she saw me, she rushed over with fake concern. "Sis, I know you're overwhelmed with grief. That's why..."

I avoided her touch and went straight to the point. "I'd like you to represent the family at next week's memorial service."

Chloe's eyes immediately turned red, and her expression grew awkward.

"Please don't do anything rash, Vivian. Alex must be somewhere waiting for us to save him. We can't just declare him dead."

I burst out laughing and pulled the court order, complete with its stamp, from my bag.

"He's been gone for three months. I searched everywhere and couldn't find him, so I had him legally declared dead. Weren't all of you telling me to move on?"

When the terrible news first reached me, I fainted.

When I woke up, all of Alex's friends were gathered around my bed.

"Vivian, they've searched everywhere near the place Alex vanished. They didn't find him. Maybe we should give up!"

"Yeah. What matters is looking after yourself."

I dragged myself out of bed, booked the first flight I could, hired a search team, and flew to Norway.

For the first month, I barely rested.

Back then, I'd never wondered why Alex's friends had been so quick to give up.

As soon as I finished speaking, a loud crash came from the back of Chloe's studio.

Chloe's expression shifted instantly, and her tone became harsh. "Alex will be furious when he comes back and finds out what you've done!"

I pretended not to hear her and walked out.

As I left, I heard people arguing behind me.

Having Alex officially declared dead had clearly sent him into a panic.

And I had no intention of giving him a chance to come back from the dead.

I went to the Waldorf Hotel, where I had my assistant book a penthouse suite using her business account.

Sitting in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, I gave instructions to the PR team over video. "Spare no expense. Book St. Patrick's Cathedral. I want the finest flowers, security, and media coverage money can buy."

My assistant sounded doubtful. "Are you sure you want to be this high-profile?"

"Hasn't Alex always claimed to be an old-money elite?"

I stared coldly at Alex's profile on the tablet. "Only with all of New York's elite watching will he truly understand what it feels like to lose his meal ticket and plummet from the top of society to the very bottom."

After hearing me out, my assistant could barely hide her delight. "That's brutal! Alex's cards have been frozen, his Social Security record lists him as dead, and he can't even pay for an Uber. He's running all over the city, desperately checking every place where he thinks you might show up."