Chase Sterling always felt like furniture. The kind you don't notice, the kind that's easy to shove in a corner and forget. He was used to it: people looked right through him, brushed him off like lint. But it only takes one phone call to erase a lifetime of being overlooked. When his estranged family meets a tragic end, Chase suddenly finds himself in charge of the sprawling Sterling fortune. Turns out, riches aren't the only thing the family left him. There's a curse running through his blood, warping love into something hungry and dangerous, impossible to escape.

Vivian Ashford never set out to blow Chase's life to smithereens. Just one decision (a sharp, ruthless move at graduation) was all it took to set their worlds spinning out of control. While Vivian soaks up the Hollywood limelight and collects red-carpet headlines, Chase slips into his new role as Manhattan's most intimidating heir. But no matter how far they run, something keeps yanking them back together, like a stitch in an old wound that refuses to heal.

Week two of planning meetings. We're at the children's hospital. The actual location that will benefit from the gala.


The coordinator thought it would be good PR. Show us interacting with the kids. Caring. Human.


I thought it would be torture. Three hours with Chase surrounded by cameras and sick children.


Chase is different here. Gentler. The corporate ruthlessness gone. Replaced by something almost vulnerable.


We're in the playroom. Bright colors. Toys everywhere. Kids ranging from five to twelve. Some in wheelchairs. Some with IVs. All fighting battles too big for their small bodies.


Chase sits on the floor with a boy named Danny. Seven years old. Leukemia. Bald from chemo but smiling.


"You're really a billionaire?" Danny asks.


"I was. Lost the company recently. But I still have money." Chase pulls out a toy car from his pocket. Expensive. Remote controlled. "Want to try this?"


Chapter 46 - The Charity Project