Chapter 1 Evelyn Hart knelt at her husband's feet as the cabin door of the private jet hissed open . Her sister , Lily , was bound hand and foot , forced to the very edge of the aircraft's open ramp . Evelyn's palms trembled , but it was nothing compared to the violent pounding of her heart . " My love , you've got three seconds to make up your mind , " Callum Rivers said coldly from his leather seat , legs crossed , voice lined with impatience . " Sign this statement of forgiveness , and I'll let Lily go . You know I don't have much patience . " Just a step away from death , Lily trembled violently , her broken plea barely audible . " E - Evie , I'm scared … " Evelyn felt as if her chest had been torn open . Despair surrounded her like an avalanche . mother's gone - Lily's the only family I " Callum , Estelle killed my mom . She ran her down and drove off like nothing happened ! My have left . And now you're using her to protect your mistress ? Do you even understand what Lily means to me ? " The man leaned forward leisurely , brushing a hand over Evelyn's head in a mockery of tenderness " My sweet Evelyn , " he murmured , lips curving into a smirk . " When you insisted on pressing charges against Estelle , did you ever stop to think about how important she is to me ?" He arched a brow , then resumed his countdown . " Two . " Panic spiraled in Evelyn's mind . They had been married for five years - five years during which Callum had loved her so devotedly , so obsessively , that she believed she meant the world to him . Even now , some part of her clung to hope that he still cared . Clutching the hem of his trousers , she whispered , " Callum … at least make her apologize . She killed my mother - she should say she's sorry . " He scoffed , annoyed . " Estelle said it was an accident . What's done is done . And I told you , she's not well . She has severe PTSD . I asked you to be kind , didn't I ? But you- " his voice turned cold- " you've really disappointed me . " Evelyn stared up at him , horrified , the last traces of illusion shattering in her eyes . She swallowed the bitterness and rasped , " Fine . I'll sign . Just don't hurt Lily . " Finally , Callum smiled . " That's my good girl . " Just as Evelyn exhaled in relief , his smile faded into indifference . " But sweetheart , " he said softly , " you've crossed me one too many times . You need to be punished . " " One . " The countdown ended . A bodyguard kicked Lily hard in the back . Her slender frame tumbled out of the aircraft like a ragdoll , vanishing into the sky . " No- ! " The scream ripped from Evelyn's throat , slicing through the roaring wind . She Junged after her sister , only to be wrenched back by the guards . The hatch slammed shut in her face . Pain ravaged her , as if her heart had been shredded into a thousand pieces . Her eyes burned with unshed tears as she glared at the man she once loved , and any lingering affection died in that moment . Just six months ago , she had been Mrs. Rivers - envied , adored , living a dream . But everything changed after that one accident . That afternoon , her mother was struck by a speeding car while out on a walk. The driver didn't stop . By the time Evelyn arrived , her mother had already . Chapter 1 9.48 % At the time , she and Callum were vacationing . He held her close while she sobbed and swore he'd find the culprit . But when the dashcam footage was uncovered , and Callum saw the driver's face - he froze . The woman looked exactly like Estelle Moore , his first love who had supposedly died ten years ago . Shockingly , further investigation revealed it really was Estelle . She hadn't died - she had been held captive overseas , tortured for years before finally escaping .. Overcome by guilt , Callum forgot all about Evelyn's mother . Evelyn insisted on pressing charges , but Callum tried to placate her . When that didn't work , he kidnapped Lily to force her hand . " My love , " he'd said with a smile , " just one signature , and this nightmare is over . Why hold on to the past ? " Evelyn never imagined it would come to this . She had once believed in their love . Callum Rivers , the Astoria's Heights prince , had pursued her relentlessly . No one believed he could truly love a girl who struggled to survive at the bottom . She didn't either at first . She thought she was just a fling , a novelty . But Callum made such a big fuss about pursuing her that it became the talk of the town . She faked her death and vanished . Callum had gone mad . The polished , poised heir had wept like a child , diving into the sea when he found her clothes by the shore . Her heart softened . She thought it was real . Years later , she discovered a sealed letter in his safe - a suicide note addressed to Estelle Moore , dated the very day she faked her death . His grand gesture of grief wasn't for her . He had planned to die for Estelle . She was just the substitute . Evelyn cried for three days . Callum begged her to stay . " Sweetheart , " he whispered , " she's gone . Why be jealous of a ghost ? You're the one I love . If you don't believe me , I'll jump again . I'll do it until you trust me . " And he did . He walked to the edge of a cliff without hesitation . She broke . She held him tight , trying to believe him again . Later , he gave her command of his most private team of mercenaries . " They're yours now . If I ever betray you , just give the order . Have them kill me . Deal ? " She laughed through her tears . " I'm not a killer , Callum . Do you love me ? " His arms tightened . " I do . Callum only loves Evelyn in his whole life . " But when Estelle returned , he never said he loved Evelyn again . " Evelyn , " he said gently , " Estelle was tortured for years . She's mentally unwell . Please , give her time . Once she's better , I'll make it up to you . " Evelyn believed it was guilt . That he just needed closure and he still loved her most . Chapter 1 But that naivety cost her everything . Her mother was dead . Her sister - missing , possibly dead . The sound of Lily's terrified scream haunted her . When the plane landed , Evelyn went insane trying to find her . Then a bodyguard approached , carrying an unconscious Lily in his arms . " Ma'am , Miss Lily is alive . She just passed out . Mr. Rivers had rescue cushions deployed under the aircraft . " Evelyn collapsed in tears . Callum seemed pleased . He cupped her chin , brushing the wet hair from her cheek . " This is what happens when you disobey me , " he said . " Don't let it happen again . Then he left with his men . Rain poured from the sky . Left alone , Evelyn dialed a number on a phone Callum hadn't monitored . " It's me . I want out . In a month , erase every trace of me from this world . " " Yes , ma'am . "