Evelina’s POV

He lifted the gun and pressed it under my chin. “Tell me—how do you want to die?”

I didn’t answer.

He didn’t wait.

The shot rang out, hitting my arm.

Pain exploded through me—white-hot, searing. Then numbness. Then a deep, bone-deep burn.

“Oops,” the man sneered. “Forgot to mention—I don’t like being told what to do.”

I clenched my teeth. “I have money. I can give it to you.”

Since the day I moved out, I’d sold everything Kaelen ever gave me.

At first, I thought about returning it all. But knowing him, he’d just toss it into the trash. So I sold it instead.

Not enough for a billion. But close—half a billion, give or take.

And then I sold the Frost mansion. The one my parents and I lived in. I hadn’t stayed there since moving in with the Draycotts. It had just sat there—empty, quiet. I visited now and then, but… it was time to let go.

The sale brought in another one and a half billion.

I’d planned to give that money back to the Draycotts when I left. A thank-you for all they'd done.

Now I’d have to use half of it to buy my own life free.

The masked man tilted his head. “How much?”

“One billion,” I said. “Like you asked.”

“In cash?”

“However you want it. If you need it in cash, I’ll need a little time.”

He went quiet.

But I didn’t have time. My arm had gone cold and numb.

I opened my mouth to speak again—but the doors burst open.

“Get down!” someone shouted.

Gunfire rang out. Chaos exploded.

Through the smoke, I saw Kaelen at the door. Calm. Polished. Untouched.

I looked down at myself—wine-stained dress, blood-soaked fabric, dust and footprints smeared across the hem.

I looked like hell.

After taking down every robber in the room, Kaelen finally stepped over, took hold of my uninjured arm, and turned to one of his guards. “Get Miss Frost to the nearest hotel.”

The guard nodded and stepped in to support me.

I brushed past Kaelen without a word.

His voice followed me. “Call my mother back. She’s worried.”

“Okay,” I murmured.

The guard left to fetch the car. I waited in the lobby, trying not to feel anything.

From across the room, I saw Lilith in Kaelen’s arms. People surrounded them, congratulating them on a safe night.

Kaelen leaned in and kissed her. Then lifted her off the ground like it was the easiest thing in the world.

“Miss Frost?” the guard called from the door.

I didn’t move.

Not yet.

I stood there one more minute—not to look at Kaelen. Not to look at her. Just to remember what it felt like.

To be a joke.

To be humiliated—down to the bone.

…

My birthday came fast.

So did Kaelen’s wedding.

And my departure.

That morning, I woke up feeling… empty. But calm.

The bullet wound didn’t sting like it had before. Just a dull throb now—fading, like everything else.

I looked in the mirror. Pale face, tired eyes. But steady.

I brushed on a little makeup. Light. Barely there. Then grabbed my bags.

In the back of the cab, I hesitated—one last time.

I guess… I wanted a proper goodbye. From Kaelen.

He’d been an asshole since the day I confessed my heart. Cruel, even. But before that—before all of it—he made my life bearable. Better. He was the closest thing to family after I lost everything.

I dialed his number.

Lilith picked up.

“Evelina?” She sounded surprised. “Kaelen’s in the bath. We just… had a very busy morning.”

She wanted me to know.

“Can you tell him to call me back today?” I asked, keeping my voice even. “We always spent our birthdays together. I guess we’re skipping this one.”

Lilith paused. Then her tone shifted—sharper now, unfiltered. “Sorry, honey. We’re heading straight to the venue. Kaelen won’t have time for chit-chat.”

And then, her voice turned colder. “Evelina, I know you’ve liked him for years. But Kaelen only sees you as a sister. Don’t you find it… repulsive? To fall for someone you grew up with?”

I didn’t even get the chance to respond.

She hung up.

But her words echoed.

“If I were you, I’d have disappeared a long time ago. It’s pathetic—chasing after a man who doesn’t even see you.”

“Miss?” the cab driver asked. “Where to?”

I looked down at my phone.

“The NYX airport,” I said quietly.

While he drove, I opened my email draft and finished typing.

“To: Mr. Kaelen Draycott

Attached is the check—one billion. Thank you for taking care of me when I had nothing. Take care of yourself. And I hope your wedding today is everything you wished for.

—Evelina Frost”

I sent it.

Then tossed the phone into a dumpster as we passed.

And slid back into the cab.

Goodbye, NYC. Goodbye, Kaelen Draycott.

And goodbye, twenty-seven-year-old Evelina Frost—the girl who was brave, even when it hurt.

You’re turning twenty-eight today. Everything changes from here.