Chapter 1

Julian Sterling framed me for corporate espionage in front of the entire city's media.

He shoved a check in my face and told me to take the money and get lost.

No one in that press room knew that the woman in the gray janitor uniform, the one my own husband was publicly crucifying, was terminally ill. I couldn't even afford a basic IV drip at the ER.

The real thief was Melanie Crawford, the woman he cherished.

With just one sweet whisper from her, Julian made me take the fall for everything.

I bit back the blood in my mouth. I told myself I just needed to survive long enough to get the clinical trial payout for my surgery. I just wanted to live a few days longer.

But I died on the cold metal table in the emergency room.

It was only after I was gone that Julian finally looked at the security footage from the fire escape. He saw the truth.

He saw Melanie pushing me down the stairs.

Later, he ruined Sterling Enterprises trying to avenge me. He even paid with his own life.

But when we finally met again, we were nothing but two fading souls drifting in the morning light.

He knelt before my grave, sobbing, begging for forgiveness. I knelt down and wrapped my arms around him.

"Julian, I did love you. But it's too late. We're both dead."