Chapter 1

When she saw how easily I agreed, Vanessa Laurent's cold, beautiful face froze for a moment before she nodded with satisfaction. "Good. You've really been more reasonable lately."

She pulled out a platinum ring like she was doing me a favor. "This ring is yours. Consider it compensation for missing our wedding today. But don't worry. As long as you stay in line, I'll give you a proper ceremony eventually."

The other ring, the diamond one she had personally designed and spent two years perfecting, was already on her brother-in-law Mason Miller's finger.

I smiled and turned her down. "Keep the ring. I don't need a ceremony either. Just give me back my kidney, and we can go our separate ways. After that, who you're with is none of my business."

The second I finished, Vanessa's expression went cold. "I knew you couldn't stand Mason. And here I thought you'd finally grown up. Turns out you're still the same selfish prick."

Mason, standing beside her, put on a hurt look and spoke in a choked voice. "Beckett, please don't take this out on Vanessa. It's my fault. I should just end it all. Nobody's ever going to love me anyway."

He started moving toward the edge of a nearby cliff, barely ten feet high.

Vanessa's eyes went red with panic. She grabbed me and shoved me in front of Mason.

"Beckett Cross, Mason's been alone and miserable for years. Are you really going to push him over the edge before you're satisfied? Get down on your knees and apologize to him right now, or we're done."

Hearing her threat, I realized how stupid I had been all these years. I had given her everything. I had loved her too much for too long. That was why she thought she could walk all over me.

What a waste.

I yanked my hand free and let out a cold laugh. "Don't try to guilt me. If he wants to kill himself, that's his problem. I told you already. We can break up the second you give me my kidney back."

Vanessa's hand flew across my face. "Last chance. Apologize."

Her voice could have frozen water.

I stumbled but forced myself upright. "You want an apology? Dream on."

Mason, still playing his little suicide game, spoke up with a mocking edge. "Come on, Beckett. Women are meant to be spoiled, not fought with. Stop making things difficult for Vanessa and just say you're sorry. I'll forgive you, I promise."

Right as he finished talking, a sharp pain tore through my hand like someone had sliced it open with a knife.

I tried to pull away, but he suddenly shoved me hard. I went over the edge. Everything went black. Pain ripped through my entire body. At least the drop was not that deep, and thick brush broke my fall.

I yelled up at Vanessa, "Vanessa! Get someone down here!"

I figured she would still help me. We had been together for years. We made it through school and everything after.

However, she just looked down at me with cold indifference. "You brought this on yourself. Stay down there and think about what you did."