Chapter 1

My father was dying, the doctors said he needed a special treatment, an organ transplant, something expensive.

I didn't have that kind of money, not even close.

For ten years, I'd been Alex Thorne's secret, his girlfriend, tucked away while he built his tech empire.

He was a billionaire, I worked in his company's marketing department, mid-level, always.

I drove to his office, the glass tower that scraped the sky, a place where I was just another employee.

I needed to see him, to beg if I had to.

His COO, Jessica Vance, met me instead, her smile tight, her eyes cold.

"Alex is in a critical meeting, Sarah. He can't be disturbed."

"It's an emergency, Jessica. It's life or death."

My voice trembled, but she didn't flinch.

"He said you should email his personal account if it's urgent. He'll review it when he has a moment."

A moment, my father didn't have moments.

I sat in the cold, sterile lobby, the clock on the wall ticking like a bomb. One hour, two, then five.

My phone felt heavy in my hand.

I called the hospital again and again, no news, then bad news.

Eight hours later, just as the nurse's soft, pitying voice told me Dad was gone, the elevator doors opened.

Alex walked out, looking annoyed, like I was an inconvenience.

"Sarah? What are you still doing here? Jessica said she handled you."

Handled me.

The grief was a fist in my chest, stealing my breath, but rage, cold and sharp, followed close behind.

I stood up, my legs shaking.

"I just came to waste your time, Alex."

His brow furrowed, confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"We're done," I said, my voice flat, empty. "It's over."

I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, a king in his castle of indifference.