Chapter 1

Beep. Beep.

The heart monitor beeped steadily in the hospital room.

I lay in the hospital bed, fighting for every breath.

I was only 35, but the woman in the mirror looked 50.

"Evelyn, finish going through these numbers on the London commercial properties."

The door swung open, and my father walked in. He was Granville Ashbourne, the Duke of Ashbourne. He didn't ask how I was feeling. All he wanted to know was how the work was coming along.

"Father..." My voice came out in a rasp. "The doctor says my heart and my endocrine system are failing. I'm so tired..."

"Tired?" My father frowned. "The Ashbourne family business can't grind to a halt just because you're ill. You've had the best education money can buy since you were a little girl. The responsibility is yours to carry. And Adrian isn't here today because he's busy running the charity foundation for you."

Adrian Devaux was my husband and the heir to the Devaux family, old money in the world of finance. I hadn't seen him in three months. Every time I called, his assistant told me he was in a meeting, away on business, or tied up with foundation matters.

I closed my eyes. This was the life I'd traded my youth, my dreams, and my health for.

My father set the papers on the table and stepped into the sitting room next door. He thought I was asleep, so he didn't bother to shut the door all the way.

A moment later, I heard Martin Hudson, the Ashbourne family's lawyer.

"Your Grace, Evelyn won't last the week. Under the terms of the will, what happens to the French wine estates in her name, the art fund, and her 31 percent of the Ashbourne Group once she's gone?"

My breath caught.

My father's voice was calm. "It all goes to Claire. The supplementary agreement is ready. It takes effect the second Evelyn stops breathing."

"But... Claire is only your illegitimate daughter. And Evelyn has poured her whole life into these businesses..."

"Enough!" My father cut him off. "Evelyn has had more than enough. Claire grew up without anyone to rely on. Evelyn is her older sister. What's wrong with making it up to her?"

So that was how my father saw it. Everything I gave was simply expected of me, while Claire was the only one he thought deserved sympathy.

Just then, the laptop beside my bed lit up.

An encrypted video call used to monitor the charity foundation's accounts was still connected. A window popped up on the screen, showing a bedroom.

Adrian was in a bathrobe, holding Claire Bennett in his arms.

"Adrian, is Evelyn almost gone?" Claire asked tearfully. "When she dies, will you really marry me? I'm tired of being the illegitimate daughter everyone keeps hidden."

Adrian kissed her hair. "Don't worry. All Evelyn ever thinks about is ledgers, rules, and dignity. I only married her for the Ashbourne fortune. I never loved her."

Claire laughed through her tears. "But Father says Evelyn has done such a good job managing the money."

Adrian snorted. "So what if she has? Once she's dead, her money and her place will both be yours."

It was like a bomb went off in my head!

Something inside me snapped.

I had survived on four hours of sleep a night, managing Adrian's money and helping my father keep the Ashbourne family afloat. In the end, I was nothing but a tool for them to squeeze dry and throw away.

They had enjoyed everything I gave them and laughed at me for being stupid enough to give it.

"How could you... How could you do this to me!"

Screaming, I shoved over the machines beside my bed, and pill bottles went crashing across the floor.

My father and the lawyer rushed in from the sitting room.

My father took in the mess and frowned. "Evelyn! Have you lost your mind? Throwing a tantrum on your deathbed? Where's your dignity?"

"Dignity?" I pointed at the laptop, tears and blood running down my face. "You animals! I gave my life to running this family for you, but to you I was never anything more than a stepping stone?!"

My father glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted. "Well, since you know, I won't hide it from you. Claire is my daughter too. You've had the title of a duke's daughter all to yourself for years. This is what you owe her."

"It isn't fair... I hate you! I'll haunt you from the grave!"

Rage and despair lodged in my chest until I couldn't breathe.

My heart seized, and everything went black.

If I ever had the chance to do it over, I would never again be the daughter who did as she was told.

...

"Lady Evelyn? Lady Evelyn? Your father's waiting for you downstairs. Your 25th birthday party is about to start."

I opened my eyes. It was my 25th birthday.

There were still six whole weeks until my wedding to Adrian!

I looked down at my hands, young again, and smiled.

Adrian. Father. Claire...

Your nightmare starts now.