Chapter 1

“This was all your fault. I wouldn’t be in this mess if you hadn’t dragged me to this stupid cruise. Now, we’re somehow stranded on a deserted island! How are we getting back home now?”

Still feeling scared after surviving his ordeal, Saddler Giles vented all of his frustrations on Kacey Winston.

Kacey trembled all over as she took in the scolding. Yet, she was still smiling as she tried to console Saddler.

“Come on, Saddler, I only wanted to take you out on a vacation so you could relax. No one could have imagined this happening. Don’t be mad at me anymore, okay?”

Kacey reached out for Saddler’s hand, but he avoided it in annoyance.

Kacey did not get offended by that. She looped her arm around Saddler’s tightly. She comforted him gently, “We might be on a deserted island right now, but this could be a good thing!”

Saddler frowned tightly and looked at her in confusion.

Kacey let out a laugh.

“Didn’t we get Jared Fitz a hefty insurance package a long time ago?”

When Saddler heard the word “insurance,” his expression immediately turned joyful.

“You stole his lifeboat and now, we’re the only two survivors. Jared might have died at sea!”

Kacey seemed uncaring of Saddler’s predicament. She rested her head upon his chest affectionately.

“With Jared dead, we’ll be filthy rich once we’re saved from this island! Later, I’ll buy you a house and renovate an awesome computer room for you. You won’t have to slave away at work anymore!”

At that cajoling, Saddler was convinced. He happily started imagining what that life would be like.

“Jared might be dead, but what about the kid?” Saddler suddenly recalled Aimee.

Kacey wore an inscrutable expression. Her voice was wheedling. “Aimee may be our child, but she’s just a little girl. Besides, your mom doesn’t even like her. It’s… fine if she’s dead.

“Once we get back, I’ll give you a son. How does that sound?”

Saddler’s frown was instantly smoothed out at that.

“You’ve thought of everything, Kacey. I’m so lucky to have you by my side.”

Kacey beamed at that, as if it was the happiest moment in her life.

Hearing all that threw me into the depths of despair.

Even on the precipice of death, I had never been so scared before.

I soundlessly clutched my daughter’s hand. It must have hurt, because she patted the back of my hand and called, “Dad…”

Complicated feelings swirled within me as I looked at Aimee Fitz.

She was such a good kid. She patted the back of my hand again. “Don’t be afraid, Dad. I’ll always be here with you.”

My heart twisted at how good she was. It was such a bittersweet feeling.

I watched Saddler and Kacey angrily, resentment roiling in my heart.

I knew that Kacey had a childhood sweetheart before she married me. But I had worked things out with her.

I had once asked, “I’ll respect your choice if you’re in love with someone else.”

But Kacey had replied, “That’s all in the past, and that’s why I’m choosing you.”

I could not help but clench my fist. Was that what she meant by leaving everything in the past?

All because of Saddler, Kacey had not only betrayed me again and again, but she also did not care if Aimee and I were dead or alive.

She had bought a high-payout insurance scheme for me, hoping that I would die. Just because Aimee was not the son that they wanted, Kacey would even accept Aimee’s death.

I wanted to stab those two horrible people and be done with it all, but I could not be impulsive. Survival came first.

Aimee had to make it home.

I bent down and wiped Aimee’s face.

“You’re a good girl, Aimee. I will always be here with you.”