My half-sister was dying of cancer, and she had one final wish: to steal my life.

She demanded my wedding, my fiancé, everything. So I watched as she walked down the aisle in the dress I designed myself, on the arm of the man I loved, into the wedding that should have been mine. For a dying woman, I could bear it.

But when she came for the heirloom bracelet my late mother left me, something inside me snapped. At the auction, I watched my ex-fiancé, Jasper, shield her as they drove the price up to a staggering 200 million. Bled dry by my own parasitic family, I was helpless, forced to see my last connection to my mother fall into their hands—

Until a calm, commanding voice cut through the room: “300 million.” The entire hall fell silent. Mack Ben, the notoriously private and influential head of the Ben family, had made the bid. “A gift,” he declared, his gaze finding mine, “for Miss Colby.”

After I retrieved the bracelet, I promised to repay him. “Mr. Ben, I’ll find a way to pay back the 300 million.” He simply studied my face, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Freya Colby,” he asked softly, “have you forgotten me?” Me: ?

Jasper Tristan's eyes burned with resentment as he glared at me. Without uttering a single word, he swept Lila Colby into his arms and stormed out of the auction house.


I remained frozen in place, completely bewildered by his reaction.


What did that look even mean? The fury radiating from him seemed directed entirely at me, as if I had personally wronged him somehow. Did he actually blame me for preventing him from throwing away two hundred million dollars on that bracelet?


Whatever happened to Lila Colby after they left was no longer my concern. With my mother's precious bracelet safely in my possession, I returned to Ravencliff with a heart full of satisfaction. That very same day, I made my way to the cemetery to share the wonderful news with my mother.


Chapter 26 - Chapter 26 More Than A Favor