Chapter 1

I was drifting in the air, stunned. I watched as the heart monitor beside me flatlined, its beeping alarm ringing through the room.

The person in the hospital bed was barely recognizable—severely burned, completely wrapped in thick bandages, with no way to tell their gender.

The patient chart at the foot of the bed was the only clue to their identity.

But Quentin Scofield couldn't care less about that. All he cared about was finding a way to clear his beloved Taylor Cross of any charges.

"Quent, you came…" The nurse, Anya Cross, guided Quentin into the ward, but her words trailed off when she saw my body, still and lifeless.

It wasn't that she hadn't seen death before, but it was only natural to feel a little stunned when her lifelong dream finally came true.

"The victim's dead?" Quentin was surprised, but then a look of excitement flashed in his eyes. "That's great! No witnesses mean I can make the case that Tay's not responsible!"

I floated in the air, eyes locked on Quentin, who was grinning ear to ear.

This was the guy I'd been with for five years.

…

When the accident happened, Taylor's car crashed into mine, flipping it over. I got stuck behind the wheel and couldn't move.

But Taylor was fine. She parked her car a safe distance away from the scene, called Quentin, and broke down, telling him she'd accidentally hit someone.

Quentin rushed to the scene and immediately pulled Taylor into a tight hug.

I watched from afar as they embraced, hearing Quentin softly telling her not to worry. His voice was full of warmth and care.

Blood was dripping down my forehead, and I felt like I couldn't move. But somehow, I managed to grab my phone and call 911.

The operator told me help was on the way and urged me to hang in there.

But even if I could hold on, there was no way Ruby Scofield, my daughter, could! She was in way worse shape than I was.

"Quentin! Help me! Help me!" I shouted as loud as I could to Quentin, who was far off, through the cracked car window.

I meant to shout, but only a whisper came out.

Quentin seemed to sense something and hesitated. But Taylor was quick. She wrapped her arms around his neck and cried bitterly into his ear. Then, she shot me a look and grinned triumphantly.

The broken car parts cut into my arm. I pushed through the pain and ignored the looming threat of an explosion as I dialed Quentin.

But he fired back, "What's all the drama for? Tay's the one in an accident! She needs me!"

I did my best to calm Ruby beside me, all while desperately begging Quentin, my voice barely there.

"Quentin, Ruby and I were in an accident, too. She's losing a lot of blood. I don't think she'll make it until the ambulance gets here. Please, you have to help us!"

I was shocked when Quentin blew up like I'd crossed some unforgivable line.

"Sharon Eastlake! What's your problem? You're fine every other day, but the minute Tay gets into an accident, you suddenly have one, too?

"You're just jealous of Tay! If you're sick, get treatment. If you can't be cured, then just die!"

All it took was a quick turn of his head to see the flipped car, with Ruby and me trapped inside, bleeding out. But there he was, standing outside the car, hanging up on me.

Quentin gently cleaned Taylor's face. When no one was watching, he strolled over to my car and erased any sign of Taylor's speeding.

"Hey, stay with me! The ambulance is coming!" A courageous stranger ran over to my overturned car, checking on me and doing everything he could to keep me conscious.

My boyfriend was looking after another woman, while a random stranger was the one telling me to hold on.

"There's a fuel leak. The car's going to blow! Everyone, get back!" Quentin yelled, rushing to get the crowd out of the way. Then, without wasting any time, he carried Taylor and took off.

The shockwave from the explosion came rushing at me, and without thinking, Ruby threw herself before me. And just like that, my little Ruby took her last breath in my arms.

Meanwhile, I was badly burned and finally dragged to the hospital by ambulance, which took forever to show up.