Chapter 1
The day before my wedding to Alex Sterling, my sister Lily was murdered.
The killer was his mentally ill first love, Sophia Wells.
In the security footage, Sophia stabbed my sister’s neck ninety-nine times with scissors, her movements frenzied and
deliberate.
Afterward, she turned to the camera with a satisfied smile.
Alex held my shattered body as I sobbed, whispering apologies, “It’s all my fault. I’m so sorry. I’ll have her committed to a
psychiatric facility.”
Seven years together, and this was the first time he didn’t ask me to graciously forgive.
But just as he was about to sign the commitment papers, Sophia shed a single tear.
His pen froze. Then he tore the agreement to shreds. “She wasn’t in her right mind. Your sister is already gone-there’s no
point destroying Sophia too.”
I filed charges anyway, but every piece of evidence vanished overnight.
Outside the courthouse, he cupped my face with gentle hands. “Baby, let’s just forget this happened. I’ve already
punished her. Can’t you just let this go?”
I stared at him and suddenly laughed.
Turns out when your heart dies completely, you can’t feel the pain anymore.
“I want to know how you punished her.” I pulled away from his touch, my voice eerily calm.
Alex’s prepared words stuck in his throat. Something complicated flickered in his eyes. “I locked her in her room for three days and made sure she takes her medication.”
He paused, then added, “She was terrified.”
“Was she?” My smile felt like ice in my veins.
Alex flinched at the coldness in my eyes. He pulled me into his arms, holding tight. “That wedding dress you loved-I had
it flown in from Italy specially for you. Next week’s wedding, you’ll be my most beautiful bride. Let’s not think about
anything else, okay?”
I stayed silent, swallowing the rage threatening to consume me.
Seven years ago at freshman orientation, Alex fell for me at first sight.
The cold, untouchable Sterling family heir began pursuing me relentlessly.
I mentioned craving barbecue ribs once. The next day, he showed up with a lunch box, his hands covered in burns from
cooking.
But the wake-up call came when my abusive father raised his hand to strike me again.
Alex stepped between us. “Emma, don’t be afraid. As long as I’m here, no one can hurt you.”
In that instant, my heart beat in sync with his.
I thought he was the one.
But now the person destroying me was him.
Before our car even stopped, I saw workers carrying easels into our house-the custom Italian ones Alex had ordered for
Sophia.
He grabbed my wrist urgently. “Sophia’s been having nightmares, afraid of the dark. I was worried something might happen, so I-”
“So you moved a murderer into our home?” My voice was barely a whisper.
His thumb traced my wrist bone as he tried to soothe me. “Just temporarily, until she’s better. Try to take care of her. You’ll see how gentle she really is. You’re both important to me. Please try to make peace with her?”
I pulled my hand free without a word.
I bit my tongue until I tasted blood before speaking, “Alex, I’m tired.”
I went straight to our bedroom and collapsed, tears soaking the pillow as exhaustion pulled me under.
Hours later, a warm body pressed against mine, and Alex’s desire-laden kisses trailed down my neck as he whispered,
“Emma…”
I went rigid, shoving him away.
In the darkness, his breathing stopped for several seconds. “Emma, how long are you going to keep this up?”
He turned on the bedside lamp, hurt filling his eyes. “Don’t shut me out like this. I can’t take it.”
Before I could respond, a piercing scream came from the next room, and Alex’s face went white as he bolted from our bed
like a man possessed.
Alone again, I laughed bitterly and picked up my phone to open the hidden surveillance app.
Seven days ago, when Alex first stopped me from calling the police, I’d installed cameras throughout the house-if there
was no evidence, I’d create it.
On screen, Sophia trembled in Alex’s arms, her silk nightgown sliding off her shoulders. “Alex… I’m so scared. The
shadows are coming for me again…”
He rubbed her back gently. “It’s okay. I’m here. No one can hurt you.”
“Can you stay with me tonight? Just tonight…” Sophia looked up with tear-filled eyes.
I watched Alex hesitate for a moment before he sighed and slipped under her covers, and Sophia immediately wrapped
herself around him like a vine.
“Sleep now. I’ll watch over you.” Alex pressed a soft kiss to her hair.
That kiss was a blade through my heart.
A brutal reminder of how pathetic Alex’s love really was.
How pathetic I was for forgiving him again and again.
