Chapter 1

My son died in the earthquake.

The rescue team said there was nothing they could do for him, and as the team leader, Nathan had to prioritize saving those whose voices could still be heard.

I couldn't bear the pain of losing my son, and I fell ill. I never got better.

As I lay dying, I saw Nathan Burris in the garden, holding the boy he'd managed to save, with his old flame Mia by his side, posing for a family picture.

So that was the real reason he gave up on saving our son. He chose to risk everything for Mia's boy instead.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the moment Nathan gave up on our son.

"No signs of life detected. Let's focus on those we can still hear," Nathan said.

At the earthquake rescue site, Nathan, as the team leader, made the call to pull out.

As the hurried footsteps faded away, I finally snapped out of it, like waking from a nightmare.

The image of Jensen's pale, lifeless face from that day suddenly flashed before my eyes, and my heart felt like it was being crushed in a vice.

I ran after them and blocked their way.

"You can't just give up, Nathan! Our son is still in there!" I yelled. "You're his dad. Think of something! Save him!"

I shouted loud enough for everyone to hear, making sure nobody could pretend they didn't know my son was still trapped inside.

Nathan shot a frantic look ahead, then pushed me out of the way.

"The life detectors and search dogs haven't found any signs of life here. Try to stay calm. Don't interfere with the rescue," he snapped.

"No one wants to find our son more than I do, but as the team leader, I have to be responsible for everyone trapped here," he said.

"The collapse is huge, the roads are narrow, and we're short on people and equipment. I have to get to the others first," he added.

Nathan quickly looked away, guilt written all over his face.

Nathan gave his team a look, and they ignored me, heading straight for their chosen spot.

I stared at him in utter shock. It felt like my blood had frozen in my veins.

Desperate, I rushed over, snatched the shovel from his hands, and started digging myself.

"If you won't save our son, I will!" I shouted.

With that, I threw myself into clearing away the rubble and broken boards with all my strength.

My actions fired up the other families, who were also desperate to find their own loved ones.

They surged forward, snatching up whatever rescue tools they could find and joined me in digging frantically.

"Everyone, stop right now! There's nobody down there, I told you!" Nathan shouted.

"Linda, quit causing trouble! People over there actually need saving!" he snapped.

Nathan was furious. He grabbed my hand and tore into me, not holding back at all.

I ignored him, adrenaline I didn't know I had surging through me as I shoved him aside.

At last, a thick slab finally gave way, revealing a crack in the rubble.

The rescue dog went nuts, barking like crazy at the opening.

"Quick, use the life detector!" I shouted.

One of the team members sprang into action, telling the others to get the life detector over there.

Sure enough, the detector started beeping!

"Jensen? Jensen!" I shouted, my voice shaking with hope.

Overjoyed, I pressed myself against the ground and yelled into the crack, my heart pounding.

But there was no answer from below.

"Nathan, Jensen's down there! He must be unconscious. Please, save him!" I cried, my voice breaking with panic.

I was desperate, my voice breaking as I spoke.

Jensen couldn't hold on much longer.

The whole team couldn't help but be moved, their eyes glued to Nathan, just waiting for him to say the word.

Nathan's face was torn with conflicting emotions. He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder, then gritted his teeth and walked toward me.

Just as Nathan was about to give the order, a woman burst onto the scene, looking totally freaked out.

She yanked Nathan by the hand, trying to drag him away.

"Nathan, Ethan says he's starving! You have to get him out, now!" Mia wailed, her voice shaking.

"My son's destined for the Ivy League. He can't afford any delays!" she insisted, sounding desperate.

It was Mia Porter.

Mia was Nathan's old flame, the one he always wanted but could never get.

"Mia, don't worry. As long as I'm here, Ethan's not getting hurt," Nathan promised quickly.

Nathan instantly got flustered when he heard Mia's plea.

Once he'd reassured Mia, he turned to me, looking really uncomfortable.

"Linda, Jensen is my son. I trust he can hold on," Nathan said, trying to sound confident, but I could hear the doubt.

"But Ethan is Mia's lifeline. He comes first. I have to save him now," Nathan said, his voice cracking with urgency.

Nathan's eyes were red, desperate.

He didn't hesitate anymore. He yanked the tool out of my grip and bolted off with the team to rescue Mia's son.

The jagged edge of the tool ripped into my palm, a stabbing pain shooting through me as blood started pouring out.

I shot a furious glare at Nathan's back as he walked away, teetering on the edge of a breakdown.

"Nathan, who's really your son? Is this what being a father means to you?" I yelled, my voice shaking with rage.

"Jensen means everything to me too, but you're in such a hurry to save Mia's kid instead!" I cried, my voice cracking.

By the time I finished, I was barely able to swallow past the ache in my throat.

But Nathan just paused for a moment, then kept going without even looking back.

Tears blurred my vision, but I gritted my teeth, knelt down, and started clawing at the dirt with my bare hands.