Chapter 2

Olivia stared at me, her mouth slightly open. The fury in her eyes was replaced by confusion.

"What did you say?"

"I said, go," I repeated, my voice even. "Your father is downstairs with the guests. I'll make sure he doesn't stop you this time. You can walk right out the front door."

She searched my face for a trick, a hint of sarcasm or anger. She found nothing but a blank calmness that seemed to unnerve her more than any argument would have. In my past life, my desperation to please her had been my defining trait. This new indifference was something she didn't know how to handle.

"You... you'd let me go?" she stammered.

"He's your childhood friend," I said, the words tasting like poison. "You should be with him."

I wasn't doing it for her. I was doing it for me. I was severing the tie that had led to my agonizing death. This was the first step.

Doubt warred with desperation on her face for a moment, but her obsession with Alex won. She didn't waste another second questioning my motives. She gave a sharp nod, her wedding dress swishing as she turned and ran out of the room. I heard her footsteps hurrying down the hallway.

I walked over to the window and looked down at the manicured lawns of the Miller estate. A few minutes later, I saw her, a flash of white in the darkness, running towards the main gate. She didn't look back once.

The next morning, the news broke. Not of a tragic death, but of a scandalous romance. Alex Peterson had not jumped. Instead, he had posted a picture of himself and Olivia on his Instagram. They were at the cliff, yes, but they were wrapped in each other's arms, kissing as the sun rose behind them. The caption read: "Finally together. Some things are worth fighting for. #TrueLove."

The wedding, which had been the society event of the year, was now the laughingstock of the city.

Mr. Miller was apoplectic. He stormed into the library where I was quietly drinking a cup of coffee. His face was purple with rage.

"Ethan! What is the meaning of this? The press is having a field day! I told you to keep her here! Why did you let her go?"

"She's an adult, Mr. Miller," I said calmly, setting my cup down. "She wanted to leave. I couldn't hold her prisoner."

"You could have tried!" he roared, slamming his fist on the mahogany desk. "Our family's reputation is in ruins!"

"Your daughter ruined it," I corrected him gently. "Not me."

Just then, the subjects of our conversation walked in. Olivia and Alex, holding hands, looking defiant. Olivia had changed out of her wedding dress and into casual clothes, but Alex was still wearing the same rumpled suit from the day before. He had a smug, triumphant look on his face.

"Thanks for giving her up, buddy," Alex said, his tone dripping with condescension. He squeezed Olivia's hand. "But let's be real. You were never good enough for her anyway. You're just the charity case they took in."

Before I could respond, Mr. Miller rounded on him. The fury he had directed at me now found a new, more deserving target.

"Get out of my house, you worthless parasite!" he bellowed, pointing a trembling finger at Alex. "Get out! Ethan has done more for this family and this company in five years than you have in your entire leeching life!"

Alex paled slightly at Mr. Miller's rage, but Olivia stepped in front of him, shielding him. She looked at her father, then at me. Her choice was clear.

"Dad, stop it!" she said, her voice sharp. "I love Alex."

Then she turned her cold eyes on me.

"And you. Just leave. This is my home, not yours. You've never belonged here."

Her words were meant to hurt, and in my previous life, they would have shattered me. But now, they were just words. They were a key, unlocking the cage I had willingly lived in for so long.

"Okay," I said.

And I meant it.