Chapter 2

After we come down from the rooftop, Adrian insists on taking me to the hospital for a checkup.

Dr. Harris examines my eyes carefully. Slowly, excitement creeps across his face.

"Mr. Thorne, your wife's vision—"

"Sorry, I need to take this."

Adrian's phone buzzes. He glances at the caller ID and walks briskly out of the room.

The movement is subtle, but I catch it—the name on his screen:

Vivienne Sterling.

The second he turns away, I raise my hand to stop Dr. Harris.

"Dr. Harris, please keep this between us."

I lower my voice. "I want to... tell him the surprise myself."

The lie sits heavy in my throat. Thankfully, Dr. Harris doesn't notice anything off.

He catches on quickly and claps me on the shoulder.

"Almost forgot! News this big—of course you should be the one to tell him."

After six years, I'd gotten good with a cane.

But now that I can see again, every step feels impossibly heavy.

Before I know it, I wander into the middle of the road.

A screech of tires—a black sedan speeding straight at me.

I see it clearly. Vivienne Sterling behind the wheel. And Adrian sitting right beside her.

I stumble and fall.

At the last second, brakes scream. The bumper stops inches from my face.

"Do you have a death wish?!"

Adrian jumps out of the car. His hands won't stop shaking as he grabs my arms, his grip so tight it bruises.

"What happens to me if you die? What happens to Chloe?"

He checks me over with bloodshot eyes, searching for injuries.

For one second—just one—I almost let myself believe he still cares about me.

"Don't worry."

His jaw clenches. That's when I notice it—something reddish smeared at the corner of his mouth.

"I will find whoever did this to you."

He says it firmly. But his eyes drift involuntarily toward the driver's seat.

Vivienne is still behind the wheel, inspecting her nails without a care in the world.

Through the windshield, I see Vivienne press her lips together—the exact same shade that is smeared on Adrian's mouth.

Adrian helps me into the back seat, then pulls out his phone and starts scrolling through work emails.

Vivienne leans over, pressing herself against his arm. Her fingers trace slow circles on his thigh.

"You're so boring when you work."

"Cut it out." He doesn't look up. But he doesn't push her away either.

She tilts his chin toward her and kisses him. Slow, deep. Her fingers sliding into his hair.

Adrian's hand finds her waist, then her hip, pulling her closer across the center console.

They break apart just long enough for him to murmur against her lips: "Tonight. You'll pay for this."

Vivienne bites her bottom lip and smiles, settling back into her seat like nothing happened.

I sit exactly the way I always have. Eyes blank. Staring straight ahead at nothing.

"Is there anyone else in the car?"

I ask softly.

Adrian wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and shifts away from Vivienne.

"...No. Just the two of us."

I watch the streets blur past the window. For the first time in six years, one thing is perfectly, painfully clear:

The family I almost died for doesn't have room for me anymore.