Chapter 12 Alexander could barely breathe . His chest tightened with frustration as he yanked off his tie and stormed away . " Alex ! Wait up ! " Sarah stumbled after him , her voice shrill with panic . She'd never seen him this angry before . Her own frustration simmered beneath the surface, but she bit her tongue and chased after him in heels that weren't meant for running . Meanwhile , Alex was desperately trying every single one of his credit cards . None of them worked . Not one . Without an ID or proof of identity , he couldn't book a flight , reserve a hotel , or even get a rental car . They tried checking back into one of his favorite luxury hotels he was denied at the front desk . After hours of going in circles , exhausted and starving , he finally broke down and called one of his old friends . " Jason , " he said casually , as if everything was normal . " Wire me five hundred grand . I'll pay you back once I'm back in the States . " Silence . Then again , " Jason ? Come on , man . Just send it over . A pause " I can give you ten grand , " Jason said slowly , like every word hurt . " What ? Ten ? " Alex's voice snapped . " I used to throw you deals worth ten times that ! " Jason's voice dropped . " Those days are gone. Rockwood's finished . Even if I wanted to help , five hundred K ? No chance . That ten grand …. consider it the end of our friendship . Don't call again " He hung up . Seconds later , the ten thousand showed up in Sarah's Venmo account ? Alex nearly threw his phone at the wall . He called five more people . Some Ignored him . Some hung up mid - sentence . One laughed and said , " Good luck out there . " It was humiliating Sarah watched him , pale - faced and trembling " What's going on ? Why are they all acting like this ? " Her voice cracked . " Is it true ? You … you're really broke ? " " I'm starving , " she added quickly . " Can we at least eat something ? " Alex didn't answer . Out of habit , he led her into a restaurant - a high - end bistro with white tablecloths and crystal glasses . By the end of the meal , every very cent of Jason's money was gone . Sarah's own cash wasn't enough for even a basic hotel . They ended up in a budget roadside motel No windows . Stale air . A broken A / C . The room felt like a prison . Chapter 12 " Alex , we can't live like this ! " Sarah paced the tiny room , panicking . " If we don't figure something out , we're going to starve ! " She spun to face him . " Let's just go home . Tell everyone it was fake . I'll be your mistress i But Alex wasn't listening His mind was spinning with what Jason had said . The money . The company . Could the Rockwood empire really be gone ? Was that even possible ? " Are you listening to me ?! " Sarah screamed , grabbing his arms and shaking him . I have to , just - just end this already ! " He shoved her off , snapping . " Shut up ! If it weren't for you and your brilliant idea to fake my death , none of this would've happened ! " She staggered back like he'd hit her , her eyes wide . " You're blaming me ? " she whispered , stunned . Tears welled instantly . Normally , that would've gotten a reaction out of him . Today , he felt nothing but exhaustion and regret . How had he given up a fortune - and a wife like Allison - for this ? He stood up abruptly . " Sell your designer crap . We're going back . " He grabbed her bag and started pulling out handbags and jewelry boxes . Sarah shrieked and threw herself in front of him . " Don't you touch my stuff ! Are you even a man ? You're seriously gonna sell my things ?! " Alex's eyes darkened . He raised his hand and slapped her across the face . " You think those bags were free ? I paid for every damn thing you own . " Without another word , he grabbed two purses and a few jewelry cases and headed for the door . But just as he reached it , Sarab slammed a heavy glass ashtray into the back of his skull . Pain exploded through his head . Blood poured down his neck . He staggered , eyes wide with disbelief , before collapsing onto the floor . " You made me do this ! " Sarah screamed , her voice shaking . " You made medo this ! " She dropped the ashtray and bolted , dragging her suitcase out the door without looking back . Alexander reached out wealdy , his voice barely a whisper . " Don't leave me … take me to the hospital … Sarah … " " I don't want to die … " His trembling hand reached for the empty air - then slowly dropped . All that remained was the blood , the silence … and the crushing weight of his regret . Chapter 12