Chapter 1

The hospital room door was slightly ajar. The laughter inside reached my ears clearly.

Margot Kent was reclining on the hospital bed, her face made up to look perfectly natural. She wasn't sick at all.

Vance Dalton's arm was wrapped around her waist as the two of them shared a lingering kiss.

I stood outside the door, my stomach churning and my throat tightening.

$300,000.

It was money I'd scraped together over three grueling months—working at the company during the day and driving for a rideshare service at night.

Vance had told me that his half-sister had leukemia and that her medication would be stopped if the bills weren't paid.

I believed him and handed over every penny of my savings. And now that money had become their "around-the-world travel fund."

Bridget's laughter continued. "Lucy was way too easy to fool. You made up some sob story about your background, and she practically threw money at you. Well, she's an orphan. She's desperate for love. You only have to give her a little sweetness, and she's completely devoted to you."

Vance let out a contemptuous snort. "If it weren't for the fact that she can make money, I'd have gotten sick of that pathetic, broke look of hers a long time ago. Margot, once we get our hands on this money, we're going to the Maldives."

I took a deep breath and released my grip on the doorknob.

Then I turned and walked away from the hospital, one step at a time.

The $300,000 had already been transferred into Vance's account.

If I confronted him now, he could easily come up with an excuse to move the money somewhere else. I had to get back what belonged to me.

When I got home, I put the house-sale agreement into the shredder.

Vance had coaxed me into signing it a few days earlier, telling me we needed to sell the little house I was living in to cover Margot's ongoing medical expenses.

At ten that night, I heard the lock turn. Vance walked in, bringing a chill with him from outside. He was carrying a sandwich that had already gone cold and set it on the table.

"Lucy, I'm home." His voice was thick with exhaustion.

I sat on the couch and watched him put on his act.

"How is Margot today?" I asked, handing him a glass of warm water.

Vance took it, sighed, and let his eyes redden at just the right moment. "The doctor said things aren't looking good. She's having a rejection reaction. She might need imported medication from now on. It could cost thousands of dollars a day."

He set down the glass and came over to hug me. "Lucy, I'm sorry. You've suffered so much being with me. Once Margot gets better, I'll work hard and give you the grandest wedding."

The scent of his cologne hit me straight in the face. It was the niche perfume Margot always wore.

I forced myself not to push him away and patted his back instead. "It's okay. We'll figure out the money somehow."

Vance let me go, his eyes flickering. "Lucy, about your house... Have you heard anything from the agent?"

I looked into his eyes. "The agent said the market isn't great right now, and buyers are really pushing the price down. I'm thinking of trying another agency."

Vance's brows drew together. "Margot can't wait that long. If we have to, just sell it cheap. Saving her comes first."

I nodded. "Okay. I'll go try again tomorrow."

Satisfied, Vance smiled and leaned in to kiss me.

I turned my head away. "I'm exhausted today. I'm going to take a shower."

I walked into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and let the cold water pour over me.

Then I took out my phone and logged into the spare tablet Vance kept at home. His messaging account was still logged in.

I opened a group chat called "Saving the Damsel in Distress."

There were only three people in it: Vance, Margot, and Bridget Lewis.

Vance had sent a message: [Done. She's going to sell the house tomorrow.]

Margot replied with a happy sticker: [Great! Once the money comes through, we'll dump her.]

Bridget chimed in: [I'll keep an eye on her tomorrow so she doesn't change her mind.]

I stared at the words on the screen, my fingers trembling uncontrollably.

I took screenshots of every one of those messages, along with the transfer records, and saved them all. Then I bundled everything together and sent it to my encrypted email account.

When I came out of the shower, Vance was already asleep.

I looked at his sleeping face, my stomach churning again, then turned around and threw the clothes I'd just been wearing straight into the washing machine.

The next morning, I put on a light layer of makeup and left the house.

Sure enough, Bridget was waiting downstairs.