Chapter 8

Some of my colleagues had seen this coming. They'd already snapped photos and posted them online. Before I knew it, the competitors of Madron Group pounced on the opportunity, making Skye's suicide the number one trending topic.

The backlash was brutal. Millions of people flooded social media, condemning Lucas, calling him heartless, an absolute monster. The Madron Group's stock tanked, and within hours, every company we worked with pulled out, each dropping contracts worth billions.

In just one day, we went from being on top to facing total collapse.

When Lucas heard the news, he rushed back, even though his wound hadn't fully healed. But it was too late. The once invincible Lucas, a man who had everything, was now drowning in debt, billions of dollars worth.

Then I found out he jumped from the top of the building.

It hit me like a punch to the gut. I remembered that he'd called me the day before. I didn't pick up. I blocked him. It dawned on me that he probably thought his last chance at redemption was me answering that call. And when I didn't, he must've felt like there was no way out.

But honestly? None of this was on me. It was their mess, Lucas's and Skye's, and I wasn't responsible for it. For years, Lucas had made me feel like I was the reason he was unhappy, like I was never enough.

In my dreams, I'd jumped off buildings countless times, and Lucas would just stand there, cold as ice, watching me fall. But the truth? If I had actually gone through with it, he would've been holding Skye's hand while he watched me hit the ground.

We all have our moments when we undervalue our own lives, when we think it's easier to just let go.

But I wasn't that naive anymore.

As I sat there, lost in thought, the sunlight gently warmed my face. I gazed out the window at the breathtaking view, and for the first time in a long while, I felt peace.

From now on, I was going to live for myself.