Chapter 2

I snatched my phone and logged into my mobile banking app.

This card was originally my dad’s payroll account, and the linked phone number used to be his.

Before the insurance company made the deposit, I had contacted the bank to change the registered number to my own.

I hadn’t told anyone about this, including Ethan.

He only knew the card was with me, and that the PIN was my birthday.

I tapped on the online transaction history and entered today’s date.

The screen refreshed, and a blinding record jumped out at me.

Fifteen minutes ago, while I was sitting in my lawyer's office.

Amount: $500,000.00.

Recipient: Hailey.

Memo: Surgery Fee.

My mind went entirely blank.

Hailey.

I knew that name.

Ethan’s college classmate. The "little sister" he claimed was struggling alone in the city.

So, there was no Kevin.

There was no sick mother of a childhood buddy.

There was only Hailey.

How did Ethan manage to transfer the money?

The verification code should have been sent to my phone...

An hour ago, the lawyer had slid the bank card across the desk to me, his voice heavy.

"1.8 million dollars, Chloe. This is the critical illness insurance payout your father secured for you before he passed. You are the sole beneficiary."

"I'm so sorry for your loss."

I held the card, my fingertips icy.

The money sitting in this account was paid for with my dad's life.

Three months ago, he was diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer. His only wish was for this insurance money to clear before my transplant so I wouldn't have any financial worries.

But he didn't make it to see this day.

My surgery was scheduled for next week. My mom, Sarah, was the donor match.

Despite our family's protests, she insisted on giving me half of her liver.

"Chloe, I can't lose you too."

Those were her exact words.

My brother, Leo, had died in an accident five years ago. I was the only thing keeping my mom going.

I had just pocketed the bank card, about to call my mom to tell her the surgery funds were ready, when Ethan pushed the door open and asked to borrow half a million dollars.

Suddenly, I remembered. While the lawyer was handing me the card and I was looking down, crying, Ethan had walked over to hug me.

His hand had brushed against my phone.

He used that brief moment of physical contact to initiate the transfer on his own phone.

He assumed the verification code would go to the old number, but it popped up on my screen.

He saw it, entered it, and silently drained $500,000 from my account.

I took a few deep breaths, forcing myself to calm down.

Just a transaction record wasn't enough.

I needed to know more.

I took a screenshot of the transaction, saved it, and walked back into the office.

Seeing me return, Ethan immediately rushed over, his face masked with deep concern.

"How did it go? What did Sarah say?"

"My mom said that as long as I’m okay, nothing else matters," I said, looking into his eyes calmly.

He let out a sigh of relief, his smile turning more natural. "I knew she’d understand. So, the money..."

"I'll transfer it," I interrupted, softening my tone.

"A life is on the line. How could I just stand by and watch?"

"Give me Kevin’s bank details. I'll go to the bank and wire it to him first thing tomorrow morning."

"Really?" Ethan was ecstatic, his voice trembling.

"Chloe, you are amazing! I knew you were the kindest soul!"

I let him wrap his arms around me, burying my face in his shoulder. My eyes were cold as ice.

He had no idea that his fictional "Kevin" had already been exposed by the name "Hailey" left in my bank logs.

He had no idea that his little performance had completely unmasked him.