Chapter 2
My brother Jackson arrived straight from the construction site, his dint–covered face weary, but rage burned in his eyes.]
“I’ve paid back every damn cent you lent us. What the hell more do you want?“[]
Chase took a cigarette from his assistant, leaning into the flame to light it. Smoke shrouded his expression.[]
“Jackson, your family has been bleeding me dry through Mia. You seriously think we’re square now?“]
Pain flashed across Jackson’s eyes as he muttered. “Yeah, I was a burden to her, but you… you have absolutely no fucking right to judge me!“[]
He stepped forward, grabbing Chase by the collar.[]
“When Mia first wanted to marry you, I was the first to say hell no. She knelt outside our door for twenty–four straight hours just to convince Dad and me…”
“D
“And look what happened! You shattered her heart and got her killed! Go live your perfect little life with your precious childhood sweetheart instead of showing up here disturbing my sister’s spirit!“]
“Chase! You’re lower than the scum on my work boots!“]
Chase’s face darkened as he pressed the glowing cigarette butt against Jackson’s fist.[]
The skin sizzled instantly, “Jackson!” Zoey cried out.[]
“It was just one kidney, and I paid her a cool million for it! What kind of monster would be that generous?“]
She agreed to it herself, and now you’re blaming me?”
Jackson shouted, “What million dollars? I paid back the ten grand for the wedding money and fifty grand for Mom’s medical bills. You’re the one spewing bullshit!“]]
“You took the money and won’t admit it. Is your entire family this disgusting?”
Chase’s features tightened with impatience as he snapped his fingers at his men.
“Release the dogs and teach these losers a lesson!“[]
I panicked, instinctively dropping to my knees to beg, forced to watch helplessly as men in black burst in and surrounded my family.
Snarling dogs lunged forward. Jackson shielded Zoey, but poor Biscuit was torn to bloody shreds.
“No! Stop! Please stop!”
I screamed until my voice broke, but no one could hear me. Blood tears streamed down my face as Biscuit looked at me with sorrowful eyes. My sweet Biscuit, you knew I was here the second you came in!
But I could only watch as he took his final breath.
“Consider that a friendly warning,” Chase snarled. “Mia has three days to come back on her own, or you’ll all end up like this dead mutt.”
The door slammed with thunderous force.
Years ago, when I dared stand up to Ruby, Chase destroyed our family business, giving my father a stress–induced illness.
Now, he was certainly capable of worse.
For Ruby, he would mow down anyone who stood in his way–didn’t matter if you were the Pope himself.
For two years, because of that kidney, my soul had been tethered to Chase–a fate worse than any hell I could imagine.[]
Downstairs, Ruby called him.
The moment her name lit up his phone, all the viciousness vanished from Chase’s face like magic.
“Hey, babe, what’s up?“]
My soul felt an inexplicable pull, instantly drawn to Chase’s side.
1 watched as his face melted into pure adoration while he spoke.
“Chase, is Mia still ghosting us?“]]
-0.
It’s totally my fault for being such a weakling. I couldn’t even handle the rejection symptoms, and I ruined the kidney she donated. She probably doesn’t want to give me another one…”
AY
6
Ruby’s affected, syrupy volce from the other end of the line made me want to vomit.]
“Don’t be ridiculous, sweetheart. I’ll arrange the best bloartificial kidney money can buy for her, whether she likes it or not!“]
“The doctor said your body can only accept a living kidney. Mia work out all the time–she’s built like a linebacker! She’s doing just fine with that artificial kidney!“]}]
Chase spent half an hour sweet–talking Ruby before reluctantly ending the call.
Just then, a man who looked like an executive assistant hurriedly knocked and entered.[]
“Mr. Vincent, someone anonymously sent a death certificate…“[]
Chase raised an eyebrow. “Whose?“[]
“It’s… Miss Parker’s.“]
