Chapter 1 14.43 My brother Adrian and I were at war . He believed I caused the car crash that left his beloved Penny comatose , and without hesitat- ion , he imprisoned me for three years . After our parents died , we became like unchained mad dogs , taking pleasure in destroying each other . He poisoned my food ; I bur- ned his assets . He once tied me to a helicopter and flew me like a kite ; I drugged him and threw him into a wild animal pen . Our twisted games only stopped when Penny finally " woke up . " The woman he adored for three years slapped disownment papers in front of me , smiling triumphantly . " Sign this , or I'll arrange another accident and frame you . " I laughed sharply , eyes stinging , then stabbed her in the stomach . I called Adrian on speaker , letting him hear her screams . He rag- ed , " Rosalie , are you trying to get yourself killed ? " I swallowed blood and hummed defiantly . He needn't have bothered - the doctor had already told me . Terminal brain cancer . Thr days left to live . When Adrian burst through the door with his men , he found me casually crossing my legs , twirling the blood - slicked blade in my hand . Penny lay at my feet , her body wracked with tremors of pain . The moment she saw Adrian , she let out a desperate , piercing cry for help . " Adrian , it hurts ! She's trying to kill me ! " The sight of her , covered in blood , turned his eyes a furious shade of red . He took a single step forward , and my stiletto heel pressed down on the wound in her stomach . Penny couldn't even scream anymore , just curled into a helpless ball of agony . " Let her go ! " Adrian roared , surging forward . But with every foot closer he got , I applied more pressure . Fresh blood seeped out , tracing crimson patterns beneath my shoe . Seeing this , Adrian stopped dead in his tracks , his face a mask of bitter defeat . His hands , hanging by his sides , clenched into tight fists . In a strained , hoarse voice , he used a title I hadn't heard from him in years . " Sister ... name your price . What will it take for you to let Penny go ? " Before I could answer , he rattled off a desperate list of offers . " Forty percent of the company shares ? The West End property ? All my real estate in the city ? Or ... my life ? " " Just say the word . It's all yours . " A mocking laugh escaped me . I was about to throw the disownment papers Penny had brought right back in his face when the world suddenly went dark . A high- pitched ringing filled my ears . Damn it , I cursed internally . Of all the times for this to happen . Sure enough , by the time my vision cleared , the cold edge of a blade was pressed against my neck . Another inch , and it would slice through my carotid artery . 2 Chapter 1 I met his cold gaze , a defiant smirk playing on my lips as I deliberately leaned into the knife's edge . Adrian's pupils contracted , a flicker of hesitation - of panic - crossing his face . And just like that , the tables turned . With a vicious grin , I snatched the knife from his hand . 14.43 I was about to drive it through his palm when my eyes caught sight of a long , faded scar on his forearm . It stretched for inches , a pale reminder of our childhood . I had dragged him to an abandoned amusement park , a place forbidden to us . In the middle of our reckless games , the rusted fra- me of a roller coaster had groaned and collapsed right above my head . In that split second , Adrian had thrown himself at me , shoving me out of the way .