Chapter 1

The moment my body leaned back toward the void, a sudden force yanked me back to the front.

I stumbled into Victoria Chandler's arms. Before I could even steady my footing, a hard slap landed on my face.

"Are you out of your mind, Jordan Hurley? You'll die if you fall from here! Do you even know what it means to die?" she roared at me in a choked voice.

I trembled belatedly at the realization, feeling the sharp sting on my cheek. I didn't know whether I was trembling from the fear of nearly falling or from her yelling.

However, I still instinctively raised my hand, wanting to wipe away the tears in the corner of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Vicky."

Victoria instantly shoved my hand away. "What else do you know aside from apologizing all the time, you damn idiot?"

Just then, the iron door to the rooftop was kicked open, and Mike Tate rushed in. He caught sight of the two of us and immediately paled.

"Are you crazy, Victoria? Why did you even bring him to a place like this? What do you think you're going to do if anything happens to him? You do know that you'd be charged for instigating suicide and be thrown into jail, don't you?"

His voice was hoarse, and he grabbed her arm tightly, pulling her into his arms. "And what do you think I'm supposed to do if you do end up in jail?"

Finally, Victoria crumbled in his arms, burying her face into the crook of his neck and breaking into loud sobs.

"I don't know… I just… I'm just so exhausted…"

I stared at her trembling back. Suddenly, it all dawned on me. It seemed as though I was the source of all her pain and suffering for the past ten years.

By the time Victoria finally calmed down, she noticed the large red scrape on my knee. A flicker of guilt flashed across her eyes.

"Does it hurt, Jo? I'm sorry… I didn't mean to yell at you just now."

She helped me to my feet and went down the stairs with Mike.

When we got home, she fetched the first-aid kit and began meticulously tending to my wound, just like how she always did countless times in the past.

Yet, even though she was still as gentle as ever while treating my injuries, as if on autopilot, there was nothing in her eyes but weariness and frustration.

After my wound was patched up, she gave me a lollipop and told me quietly, "Stay home and be good."

Then, she pulled Mike out of the place and left.

I was a little curious, so I went up after them and heard them talking at the door.

"I'm so tired, Mike… I feel like I'm never going to have a single day of peace as long as Jordan is still alive… Did you know? I actually thought earlier that I'd jump down right after him. That would probably be for the best."

Hearing that, Mike immediately frowned and chided her. "Victoria! What nonsense are you spouting? You've already sacrificed ten years of your life for that half-witted dumbass, yet you're still thinking of giving up your life as well?"

Victoria replied weakly, "But what else can I do? He only turned out like this because he saved my life back then. It's on me for owing him too much."

Mike suddenly noticed me hiding behind the door and eavesdropping on them. He rushed up to me and grabbed me by my collar.

"Don't you feel ashamed of yourself, even if you're nothing but a dimwit, Jordan Hurley? Are you seriously going to continue dragging Victoria down for the rest of her life as a parasite? Can you even live with your conscience like that?"

Victoria hurriedly pulled him back. "Why are you arguing with him about this? He doesn't even understand what you're saying.

"Alright, alright. Let's not argue anymore. Just… Come with me on a walk to clear our heads. I've got some things about the company that I need to discuss with you anyway."