Chapter 1

Keira had just scored an impressive 1580 on her SATs.

To celebrate, Ryan took her to a water park.

Later that evening, while I was still at work, my phone rang. It was Keira. She told me Ryan had answered a call from a woman, then dropped her off at a highway exit.

I told her to get off the highway immediately. But before I could finish the sentence, I heard a terrifying crash on the other end of the line.

Keira had been hit by a truck.

By the time I rushed to the hospital, the doctors told me her injuries were severe, head trauma that only one person could handle: Dr. Ryan Greene, the deputy director at University Hospital.

And Ryan Greene? He was my husband.

After dozens of ignored calls, Ryan finally picked up.

"Ryan, Keira's been in a car accident. You need to come right now!" I begged.

"Are you insane? You're making this up to get me to come back!" Ryan snapped.

"Ryan, please, she needs you!" I could hear his ex-girlfriend in the background.

He hung up.

When I tried calling again, his phone was off.

...

I could feel my heart racing as I frantically dialed Ryan's number, but Keira's condition kept deteriorating. Her vitals were plummeting, and the attending physician rushed into the ICU with two nurses.

Half an hour later, the doctor came out, his face grim.

"Doctor, how's my daughter?" I choked out, barely able to control my shaking hands.

"We need to operate immediately, or she won't make it," he said firmly.

"Is Dr. Greene the only one who can do this surgery?"

"Your daughter has suffered severe head trauma. Dr. Greene is the only one in the state who has the expertise to perform this surgery."

"Can we transfer her to another hospital out of state?"

"Her condition is too critical. A transfer would risk her life. The only hope she has is if Dr. Greene comes here. Go to University Hospital and find him."

I couldn't believe it, Ryan was on vacation, and now his phone was off. Where could I possibly find him?

Then it hit me. He must be with Sophia.

I didn't have her contact info, but I remembered seeing her TikTok a few days ago. I quickly opened the app, found my viewing history, and scrolled until I found her account. She'd just posted a video filmed in a hospital, with a caption that read: "You're always there for me when I need you most. Thank you for being my rock. You're my big strong man, and I'm your little woman." The location tag showed City Hospital.

I didn't waste another second. I jumped in my car and drove there as fast as I could.

Three hours later, I arrived at City Hospital. It was 8:30 AM.

As soon as I walked in, I saw Ryan and Sophia sitting together on a bench. Sophia had her head resting on Ryan's shoulder, like they were some happy couple.

"Ryan, my daughter is going to be okay, right?" Sophia asked, her voice sweet, almost too sweet.

"Don't worry, it's just a minor meningitis surgery. It'll be fine," Ryan reassured her casually.

"Ryan Greene!" I shouted, barely able to hold my temper. I didn't care about their closeness anymore, I needed him to come back with me and save Keira.

They pulled away from each other immediately, both startled.

"How did you find us here? Did you put a tracker on my car?" Ryan demanded, his voice sharp with anger.

I didn't have time to argue with him. I grabbed his arm, pleading. "No time to explain. Come with me. Keira's in the ICU. She was in a car accident last night. Only you can save her."

Ryan jerked his arm away, his brow furrowing. "Lena Johnson, when are you going to stop this? You always think I'm up to something with Sophia. Look around, this is a hospital. I'm here to operate on Sophia's daughter."

"Lena, I understand you're jealous, but this is about my daughter's life," Sophia chimed in, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "I had no choice but to call Ryan. If you let him write a will leaving everything to my daughter, I'll take care of him in his old age, like he's my own father."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My head was spinning, and tears streamed down my face. "Ryan Greene, have you completely lost your mind? You won't save your own daughter, but you'll save her daughter?"

Ryan's face hardened. "Lena Johnson, I admit that Sophia was my first love, but that's ancient history. Her daughter needs help, so I'm here for her. You stalking me is bad enough, but now you're turning into someone I don't even recognize. Cursing our daughter? You've gone too far."

"Ryan, everything I'm saying is true! You left Keira at a highway exit. She's in the ICU right now! If you don't believe me, come with me and see for yourself!" I was shaking with emotion, but I couldn't stop pleading.

Sophia, ever the victim, piped up, "Lena, I know this is hard for you, but my daughter needs Ryan. Don't let your jealousy get in the way of what's important."

Slap!

In a moment of pure frustration, I slapped Sophia hard across the face. "Shut up!"

Ryan's eyes flared with fury. "Lena Johnson, how dare you hit her?"

Sophia, trying to act the part of the perfect woman, held Ryan back. "Ryan, calm down. She's always been unreasonable. I won't stoop to her level."

Ryan sighed in annoyance. "It's almost time for surgery. Wait for me in the recovery room."

I rushed to grab his arm, but Sophia was strong, too strong for me to break free. She held me back.

"Ryan Greene, stop!" I cried out, my voice breaking. "Why won't you believe me? You'd rather save someone else's daughter than your own?"

But he didn't even look back as he walked away.