Chapter 1

I was nothing more than a plaything to Andrew Grant.

He made me have his child, and then when I was nearly full term, he said, "Sophie thinks this child is crossing her luck. It will ruin things for her professionally. Get rid of it."

I agreed.

One time, Sophie Lane flipped out on a difficult client. Andrew pushed me forward to drink as an apology. I drank so much my stomach lining tore, and I nearly died.

To make room for Sophie in her study abroad program, he framed me for cheating. I lost my place in the program, and after that, everyone in my department shut me out.

I still didn't say a word.

Because my sister was critically ill and needed a fortune for treatment. Andrew was her only lifeline.

As long as my sister was alive, I would do anything.

But yesterday, my sister couldn't bear to watch me be humiliated any longer. She took an overdose and ended her life.

I looked at the divorce papers Andrew had sent. His signature was a crooked, unsteady scrawl.

He couldn't even take our divorce seriously. I let out a bitter laugh.

I had no weaknesses left now.

And I was done with this marriage.

*****

I held the divorce papers tight, and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I felt light.

My phone rang and stopped, rang and stopped. I paid it no attention and went on eating my birthday cake.

Only when the door flew open with a violent kick did I lift my head.

"Emma Brooks!" The cake was kicked off the table. Andrew's hand closed around my throat, his eyes rimmed with red. "I thought you were dead in here. Why weren't you answering your phone?"

A metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, and my stomach churned violently.

I forced down the discomfort and reached into my bag for the divorce papers.

But before I could pull them out, Sophie's stiletto came down hard on my hand. "Oops, sorry, Emma. My shoes were so dirty. I hope you don't mind me using your hand to wipe them off."

Sophie leaned down as if to help me. I turned my head away, dodging her hand.

"Are you trying to start something, Emma? She already apologized. What more do you want?" Andrew snapped. He pulled the weeping Sophie into his arms.

"Come on, Emma, just apologize to Sophie. Don't bring down the mood." Andrew's friends pushed and shoved me forward, then forced me down onto the ground. It felt like everyone in that room was ready to tear me apart.

My nails bit into my palms. Then I spoke slowly. "I'm sorry, Sophie, would you be so kind as to forgive a wretched sinner like me?"

The moment I finished, the room erupted in laughter.

"Damn, she really is spineless. Andrew, you sure know how to mold a woman. Whip one up for me."

"Emma, you're the most understanding woman I know."

"Andrew, it's been way too long since we played that drinking game with Emma. How about we..."

A chill went through me. Andrew's friends had a twisted hobby: they loved forcing people to drink until they collapsed on the floor and groveled at their feet.

I looked at Andrew, my eyes pleading. "Andrew, I'm not feeling well. I took some medicine, so I can't drink."

Andrew stopped for a beat and studied me closely.

After a moment, a cold smile crossed his lips. "Doesn't matter. Drink up, and I'll take you to get your stomach pumped. Your sister's still in the hospital, so think twice."

Andrew didn't know my sister had taken her own life days before. He was still using her against me.

I wanted to refuse, but the truth was I didn't even have enough money for her urn.

The funeral home director took pity on me and let me walk away with the urn on credit. I had a week to pay.

I took a deep breath and picked up the bottle in front of me.

One more bit of money from Andrew, and I could settle my debt to the funeral home and finally be free.

At that thought, I let out a small breath of relief. I popped the bottle open and lifted it to my lips.

But before I could drink, Andrew snatched the bottle from behind and hurled it to the floor. "Emma! You love money that much? You'd risk your life for it?"

Everyone flinched, stunned into silence.

Andrew looked around the room, his eyes cold. "Get out!"

The guys who'd been mocking me sobered up fast and slipped out of the room.

Sophie pursed her lips, but the moment she caught Andrew's glare, she shut her mouth and slunk out.

The room fell silent, all I could hear was our breathing, uneven and tangled together.

"Emma! What am I to you? A cash machine? Some kind of charity?" he asked.

Before I could say a word, Andrew threw me over his shoulder and tossed me onto the bed. "What is your heart made of on earth?"

Andrew's face was inches from mine. I could smell the sour stench of alcohol and food and his cologne.

It was Sophie's signature scent. Andrew often gave me the same things she used.

A falling-out drove Sophie abroad, where she married someone else out of spite. After that, she turned into Andrew's unreachable ideal, the woman frozen in time.

And me? I was the ideal substitute, always at his beck and call, never talking back.