Chapter 1

Grandma always said that when she died, she wanted me to scatter her ashes in the sea—that was her wish.

But I couldn't do it.

I was diagnosed with cancer, and I was going to die before her.

To afford the ten thousand dollar-per-dose miracle drug, I willingly undressed and surrendered myself to Aaron.

He said, "Amanda, don't think you can leave me again."

I became his caged bird, and I lied to him, telling him I would stay forever.

***

The night I finished taking care of Grandma's funeral arrangements, I left Romland, leaving only a letter behind.

Missing person posters with my face were plastered all over Edgeville's subway stations.

Aaron was frantically searching for me, but all I wanted was to hide from him.

I am sick and will die soon.

Before that, I have to get rid of the child in my stomach.

The day I went to get an abortion, the doctor insisted the father sign the paperwork.

I hired an actor, but just as he picked up the pen, bodyguards surrounded us.

Before I could react, a cold, familiar voice came from behind me.

"Amanda, it's been only three days, and you've already found our child a new dad?"

Aaron... he found me.

I had chosen a small hospital to avoid being found, but he still tracked me down.

I couldn't escape him.

But I had already made up my mind—no matter what, I was leaving.

I grabbed his hand, his eyes bloodshot with restrained anger.

"Aaron, let's talk."