Chapter 1

During my layover in Sandport’s war zone, I had five chances to leave.

Every single time, something went wrong right before boarding.

I never questioned it. I figured I was simply cursed with terrible luck. All I wanted was to get home and see Andrew Bennett.

On the fifth time, with explosions still echoing outside, I called him to let him know I was alive.

Instead, I overheard him talking to his best friend, Lucas Turner.

Lucas said, "Come on, Andrew. This is the fifth time you've sabotaged Rachel’s flight home. You really bear to leave her in a freaking war zone? What if she actually gets killed?"

My breathing stopped.

Andrew answered in the coldest voice I'd ever heard, "She deserved it. She made my sister-in-law upset, so I decided to teach her a lesson."

Lucas sighed. "I kinda feel bad for Rachel. The airport got bombed last night. I talked to her assistant. The heiress was covered in dust, hiding in a corner, even writing her last will."

I froze.

I could barely believe what I was hearing.

So it wasn't bad luck. Julian had orchestrated every failed flight.

Just to punish me.

Because at a family dinner, I'd gotten jealous of how close he was with his precious sister-in-law, and people had started gossiping about her.

Outside the shattered windows, flames lit up the night sky.

I looked down at myself, curled into a ball on the cold floor.

Fine.

If he really doesn't want me to come home, then this time, I'd give him exactly what he wanted.

*****

On the other end of the line, Andrew probably had no clue.

He'd picked up by accident.

The other voice asked if he was going too far with me.

But his voice was so casual, almost like he didn't care.

Every word was all about defending someone else.

He said, "I want Rachel to learn her boundaries, that's all.

"Joanna's been through enough these years, and Rachel keeps making things hard for her. Where do you think all that gossip at the family dinner came from?

"Joanna's been part of the Bennett family for eight years, always working hard, never trying to steal the spotlight. Even Grandpa says she's the sensible one. But Rachel had to embarrass her in front of everyone.

"She brought it on herself. No one is allowed to plea for her."

I squeezed my phone so tight my knuckles went white.

Another blast shook the window.

Firelight danced across my face.

Shadows flickered.

But Andrew's words hit harder than any explosion outside.

Joanna.

It was always Joanna.

I remembered last month's family dinner. Andrew sat right next to Joanna, blocking drinks for her, serving her food, even peeling shrimp for her.

The way he looked at her, so gentle, so careful. I'd never seen that before.

It was like Joanna was some delicate porcelain doll.

I couldn't hold back.

Right in front of everyone, I shot back, "Joanna, you really hit the jackpot, having such a thoughtful brother-in-law."

And because of that one line, everyone at the table froze.

Joanna set down her fork, eyes red, and made some excuse about not feeling well before leaving.

Andrew went after her.

At that time, Andrew and I had already been giving each other the silent treatment for ages.

I'd lost count of how many times we'd fought over him fussing over Joanna.

But he always said I was overthinking.

He called me sensitive and said I was making trouble for nothing.

But was it really all my fault?

I was about to say something when another explosion thundered in the distance, making my ears ring.

Smoke billowed up outside.

Days of exhaustion and fear finally knocked me out cold.

When I came to, I was already on a plane heading home.

Adam Nestor, Andrew's assistant, was standing nearby, looking all respectful. "Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Bennett sent me to pick you up.

"After you passed out, our people got you on the plane."

Adam had been Andrew's right-hand man for years.

Everyone knew that when Adam spoke, it was as good as Andrew himself talking.

He handed me a glass of water and paused, searching for the right words.

He said, "Mr. Bennett asked me to let you know that Joanna hasn't been well lately, and she's been feeling really down. She keeps blaming herself for what happened at the family dinner, thinking she's the reason you and Mr. Bennett had that misunderstanding."

I lowered my head and took a sip of water, saying nothing.

Adam continued, "So Mr. Bennett hopes that when you get back, you'll take the initiative to apologize and let that night go."

"Apologize?" I repeated.

"Yes," Adam said, repeating Andrew's words. "Mr. Bennett said you were the one who embarrassed Joanna that night. You know how tough things have been for her with the main branch of the family. She finally got to attend a family dinner, and then you you said those things. Anyone would be upset."

I tightened my grip on the glass.

Adam continued, "Mr. Bennett hopes you can be more generous and stop fussing over these little things. Joanna's a widow, and people love to gossip about her. As the Bennett family's second daughter-in-law, you should be more understanding and protect her, not make things harder for her."

Little things.

Fussing over them.

Made things harder for her.

I almost laughed out loud.

Andrew only ever remembered Joanna's grievances.

Did he remember how he chased after her that night?

Everyone in the family stared at me awkwardly.

Calvin Bennett, Adam's grandfather, was furious.

I was grounded in the punishment hall as punishment.

I only attended this trip overseas for the international conference because Andrew said he needed me for some urgent business.

So I covered for him and went in his place.

But the night I landed, a friend told me the truth.

Andrew's so-called urgent business was him staying by Joanna's side while she had a fever.

It was a hundred-million-dollar contract.

He really did whatever he wanted for her.

I lowered my gaze.