The bitterness of whiskey burned down my throat, but it wasn’t enough to numb the pain twisting in my chest. I sat alone at the corner of the dimly lit bar, the glow of neon lights reflecting against my untouched glass.

Ryan’s betrayal was still fresh, a wound that refused to stop bleeding. The image of his cold, indifferent expression as he stood beside Lauren, defending her, choosing her—it was a memory I couldn’t escape.

How did it come to this?

My phone buzzed on the table, pulling me from my thoughts. I hesitated before picking it up, my fingers trembling slightly as I unlocked the screen.

A message.

From the private investigator I had secretly hired among Ryan’s staff.

“Mrs. Brooks, I have the information you asked for. Ryan and Lauren have been seeing each other for over a year now. Their relationship started long before the pregnancy. I’ve attached the necessary documents, including their private exchanges and records of the trips they took together.”

A year. A full year.

My vision blurred with unshed tears as I scrolled through the messages, the receipts, the undeniable proof of their affair.

The business trips. The expensive gifts Ryan had showered me with every time he returned home.

I had thought it was love. Thought it was his way of making up for the disappointment we felt whenever yet another pregnancy test turned negative.

But now, I saw it for what it truly was.

Guilt. Ryan had been cheating on me for an entire year.

He had been coming home from her bed and lying beside me, whispering words of love as if they meant something.

I tightened my grip around my phone, nearly crushing it in my palm. A sharp exhale left my lips as I forced myself to pull away from the despair threatening to consume me.

This wasn’t the time to break. I would never let them see me broken.

With shaking fingers, I dialed my lawyer’s number. The line rang once before a familiar voice answered.

"Alicia?”

“Draft the divorce papers,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

There was a pause. “…Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

I was on my fourth drink when I overheard a conversation a few feet away from me.

“He’s looking for a bride? Just like that?”

“Yeah, apparently. Tyler Wright is desperate for a wife. Said he doesn’t care about love, just needs someone to play the role.”

Tyler Wright. My head snapped up at the name, my vision sharpening as I turned toward the direction of the voices.

And then I saw him. Sitting at the VIP section, a glass of bourbon in his hand, his expression unreadable.

Ryan’s biggest rival. The man my parents had originally arranged for me to marry before I had stubbornly chosen Ryan instead.

I had once given up Tyler for the love of my life. And look where that had gotten me.

A slow, dangerous smile curled my lips as an idea formed in my mind. I grabbed my glass and stood up, making my way toward him with steady, deliberate steps.

His gaze lifted as I approached, recognition flashing in his eyes before suspicion settled in.

I slid into the seat across from him, resting my glass on the table. “What do you say to marrying me?”

Tyler’s brows shot up, clearly taken aback. “Excuse me?”

I smirked. “After all, we were supposed to be together, weren’t we?”

He leaned back, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze. “You’re already married.”

“Not after a week,” I corrected smoothly.

Tyler studied me for a long moment before letting out a short laugh. “You’re serious?”

“Deadly.” I leaned forward slightly, my tone turning almost playful. “I heard there’s an upcoming elite gathering next week.” I tilted my head. “And you’re the host, aren’t you?”

His eyes darkened. “What are you getting at?”

I held his gaze, my smirk unwavering. “Turn it into our wedding venue.”

Tyler let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “And what exactly do I get out of this?”

I lifted a brow. “You need a bride. That’s me.” My voice dipped lower, turning sharper. “And let’s not pretend you don’t want to get back at Ryan. He stole that business deal from you last year, didn’t he?”

His smirk widened, his interest piqued.

I leaned back, raising my glass to him. “So? Do we have a deal?”

Tyler exhaled slowly, his smirk turning into something unreadable. Then, with a nod, he raised his own glass.

“Yeah,” he said. “We have a deal.”

A slow satisfaction spread through me as I clinked my glass against his.

“See you at the altar, then.”

When I arrived home, I was greeted with a sight that made my stomach churn. Lauren sat comfortably on my couch, one hand rubbing her belly as she stuffed food into her mouth like she was a damn queen.

Her lips curled into a satisfied smile as she looked up at me. “Oh, you’re back.”

I ignored her, stepping past her toward the stairs. But then she spoke again.

“I’m sorry, you know. About what happened.”

I stopped in my tracks.

She sighed dramatically. “I didn’t mean to ruin your marriage, but—”

I turned sharply. “But you knew he was married,” I snapped, my voice cutting through the air. “Yet you still spread your legs for him.”

Lauren smirked. “Well, he wanted me. What was I supposed to do?” She tilted her head. “And now, I’m carrying his child.”

I clenched my fists, my body shaking with rage. “Aren’t you ashamed?”

Her smirk widened, turning cruel. “You should be the one ashamed, Alicia.” Her voice dripped with mockery. “You couldn’t give him a child. You’re useless. Pathetic.”

Something inside me snapped. I lunged at her, and she retaliated, her nails digging into my skin as we crashed against the furniture.

“Bitch!” Lauren hissed.

“You ruined my life!” I screamed, shoving her back.

In the chaos of our struggle, we stumbled toward the balcony, neither of us willing to back down. My breath came in ragged gasps as we grappled with each other, our movements frantic, desperate—

Then suddenly—The world tilted.

A scream tore through the air.

And then—

Nothing.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

Pain. It was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes.

A sharp, unbearable pain that made every breath feel like a battle. My body was heavy, every limb aching, and when I tried to move—nothing. A strangled whimper escaped my lips as I lay there, helpless.

And then it all came rushing back. Tears welled in my eyes as the memories slammed into me. Lauren and I had been fighting, screaming, clawing at each other, and then—suddenly, we had both gone over the edge.

With great effort, I turned my head slightly, my gaze shifting to the hospital room around me. White walls. The sterile scent of antiseptic. The distant hum of machines.

I opened my mouth to call for help, my voice hoarse, weak. “Please… help—”

The door burst open. I flinched as Ryan stormed inside, his face twisted in fury.

“You selfish bitch!” His voice was like thunder, echoing through the small space. His eyes burned with rage, his hands clenched into tight fists.

I barely had the strength to respond. My throat was dry, my voice barely above a whisper. “Ryan… I—”

“You nearly killed her!” He towered over me, his presence suffocating. “Lauren is in critical condition! And our baby—” His voice cracked, his entire body trembling. “You killed our child!”

My breath hitched. No.

I shook my head frantically, panic seizing my chest. “I didn’t mean it! It wasn’t me! She started it, Ryan, she—”

His hand shot out, gripping my wrist with bruising force. I cried out in pain as he yanked me upright, my broken body screaming in agony.

“Shut up!” he roared. “I don’t want to hear your pathetic excuses!”

Tears streamed down my face as I gasped, the pain unbearable. “Please—Ryan—”

But he wasn’t listening. He dragged me out of the hospital bed, ignoring my screams of pain as he pulled me through the halls. I could barely stand, my legs weak, my vision blurring from the agony coursing through my body.

“Ryan, stop—please! This is enough!” I sobbed, my nails digging into his wrist in a desperate attempt to break free.

But he didn’t stop. He didn’t even hesitate.

The elevator doors slid open, and before I could process what was happening, he shoved me inside. My stomach twisted with dread as I realized where he was taking me.

No.

No, no, no—

The rooftop. My breath hitched as we stepped out onto the open space. The wind howled around us, sending a violent chill through my already broken body. The city stretched out below, an endless abyss of glittering lights and death.

I staggered back, my body shaking.

“Ryan, please,” I begged. “Don’t do this.”

But his face was cold. Emotionless.

“If I had known you were nfertile, I would have never married you,” he spat, his words cutting through me like a blade. You were nothing but a waste of my time.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart hammering in my chest. “Ryan—”

“You’re useless, Alicia.” His voice was low, filled with pure hatred. “And since you have no purpose—”

His lips curled into a cruel smirk.

“Then you might as well die.”

My eyes widened in horror. “No—”

His hands slammed into my shoulders.

And then—

I was falling.

The world blurred into a rush of wind and lights, my body weightless as I plummeted through the night.

I screamed.

Tears streamed down my face as memories flashed before my eyes.

Ryan, holding me for the first time. Ryan, kissing me under the stars, whispering promises of forever. Ryan, sliding a ring onto my finger, telling me I was his everything.

Had it all been a lie? Had I been nothing more than a disposable piece in his perfect life?

I wanted to hate him. But as I fell I realized I had already wasted too much of my love on a man who would never love me back.

I closed my eyes. And let the darkness take me.

I woke up to the sound of voices. My eyelids fluttered open, the blinding white of the hospital room making me wince. My body ached, every bone feeling like it had been shattered and stitched back together.

I wasn’t dead. I was alive.

A soft gasp escaped my lips as I turned my head slightly. A nurse stood beside me, adjusting the IV drip. When she noticed I was awake, her eyes widened in surprise.

“You’re awake,” she said gently. “You’re incredibly lucky to be alive.”

I blinked, my mind struggling to process her words. “W-Why?”

She offered me a small, kind smile. “There was a maintenance crew cleaning the windows when you fell. You landed on their safety slide before hitting the ground.”

A choked breath escaped me. I had survived.

I should have felt relief. But all I felt was emptiness.

Tears pricked my eyes as reality sank in. I had hoped—even in the smallest, most foolish part of me—that Ryan would be here. That despite everything, he would at least care.

But then, outside my hospital room, I heard the nurses whispering.

“He’s been here all night.”

“Of course, he has. She’s still in a coma.”

“Poor man. Losing their baby must have devastated him.”

I stiffened. They weren’t talking about me. They were talking about Lauren.

Ryan had been here all night… but not for me. A fresh wave of pain crashed over me, worse than any physical injury I had endured.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I curled my fingers into the hospital sheets. I had given everything to Ryan. My love, my devotion, my loyalty.

And he had chosen her. Even after trying to kill me, he still chose her. I bit my lip, suppressing the sobs threatening to escape.

I didn’t know how much time had passed when I felt someone grab my wrist.

My eyes shot open. Ryan. His grip was bruising, his eyes filled with pure rage.

“I can’t believe you’re not yet dead after what happened.”

My breath hitched. “Ryan—”

“I told you what would happen if anything happened to my heir.” His voice was sharp, dangerous. “And now—”

His fingers tightened, his face twisting into something monstrous.

“I’m really going to make sure you will die!”

I screamed. Ryan didn’t hesitate. His grip was brutal as he tied my wrists behind my back, the rope biting into my skin. I thrashed, desperate to break free, but I was too weak—still broken from the fall, still aching from the wounds he had already inflicted on me.

“Ryan, please!” I sobbed, my voice raw with desperation. “I didn’t push her! We both fell! It wasn’t my fault!”

But Ryan wasn’t listening. He shoved me into the backseat of his car, my body hitting the leather with force. The door slammed shut behind me, trapping me inside.

“This is your punishment,” he muttered coldly as he slid into the driver’s seat, his voice eerily calm.

I panted, struggling against the restraints. “Ryan, don’t do this—”

His knuckles tightened around the steering wheel. “I should have done this a year ago,” he said, his tone devoid of emotion. “But I didn’t, because I pitied you.”

A choked sob escaped my throat. Pity? That’s all I had been to him? A mistake?

“But now,” he continued, his voice turning sharp, “after what you did… there’s nothing left to pity.”

I shook my head frantically, tears streaming down my face. “Ryan, I swear to you, I didn’t—”

“Shut up,” he snapped. “It’s too late for your lies, Alicia.”

I sobbed harder, my body trembling as the city lights faded into endless darkness. He was taking me somewhere isolated, somewhere no one would find me.

My breath came in ragged gasps. I struggled harder, twisting my wrists against the ropes, but it was useless.

Minutes passed, the silence between us thick with finality. And when the car finally stopped, my heart dropped. No streetlights. No buildings. Just an empty, lifeless stretch of land and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks below.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head as Ryan stepped out of the car. He wrenched the door open and dragged me out. “Ryan, please—”

He ignored me. With terrifying ease, he pulled out a large sack. Panic surged through me as I fought harder, my screams echoing into the cold night.

“Ryan, don’t do this!” I shrieked. “Please! I swear, I didn’t—”

But he didn’t care. He shoved me inside. The world turned pitch black as the rough fabric enclosed me, muffling my cries. His voice was the last thing I heard before he threw me over the edge.

“I never want to see you again, you useless wife.”

***

The hospital was quiet when Ryan stepped into Lauren’s room. His chest was still tight with rage, his body tense from the storm inside him. But when he saw her lying there, eyes still closed, machines beeping softly, his anger began to subside.

He had done what needed to be done. Now, all that mattered was her.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before stepping forward—

Then he froze. Lauren’s lips were moving. At first, he thought she was just mumbling in her sleep, but then—he realized.

She was awake. She was talking to someone.

His entire body went rigid. He didn’t move, didn’t breathe, as he listened from just outside the door.

“The baby is dead,” she whispered.

Ryan’s stomach dropped.

But then—

A soft laugh. A laugh.

"But it’s okay,” Lauren continued. “We can make another one… and make Ryan believe it’s his.”

Ryan’s blood ran cold. His hands curled into fists, his breathing shallow.

The voice on the other end of the call chuckled. A man’s voice.

“You’re ruthless, baby,” the man purred. “I love it.”

Lauren giggled, her voice sickeningly sweet. “Well, it’s not like Ryan’s smart enough to figure it out. He thinks I loved him but all I want is his money. Come on, that’s why I applied as his secretary and seduced him for this.”

Ryan’s jaw clenched, rage bubbling inside him. His vision blurred as the truth hit him like a sledgehammer.

Lauren had lied. She had never loved him. The baby—his heir—wasn’t even real.

“And it would be easy now knowing that he killed his pathetic wife Alicia,” she added.

Alicia had been telling the truth. He had killed her for nothing.

He staggered back, his entire body shaking.

What had he done? What the fuck had he done?

Panic gripped his chest as he turned, nearly stumbling as he sprinted down the hall.

He had to find her. He had to fix this. But when he reached the place where he had left her— She was gone. No traces of her at all as if she didn’t exist.