Chapter 5

Ethan Cross was my senior in college. He had recently finished producing an indie animated film and had invited me to voice one of the characters.

I had turned him down because of my upcoming engagement to Liam.

But now, I finally understood. I couldn't be a vine clinging to someone else anymore. I had to grow into a tree of my own, strong enough to weather any storm.

Ethan's studio was in Seattle. Without hesitation, I booked the earliest flight for the next afternoon.

I hailed a cab, planning to go home and pack my things.

While waiting at a red light, a familiar figure caught my eye.

In the restaurant across the street, Amber was sitting opposite a burly, intimidating-looking man.

Instinctively, I pulled out my phone and started recording.

Amber took a thick envelope from her purse and handed it to the man, her expression sour.

Their English conversation drifted clearly through the open cab window.

"This is all I have right now. Give me more time, I'll pay it off."

The man took the envelope, looking at Amber mockingly. "Instead of working so hard to sleep with that rich pretty boy, why don't you just submit to Mr. Miller? Not only would your debt be wiped, but you'd also get a legitimate status."

"That kid is about to get engaged anyway. You think he's going to keep throwing money at you forever?"

Amber grit her teeth, remaining silent.

When the man went to speak again, she cut him off. "Don't worry about that. I don't just want his money." She smirked. "I want his status and his name, too."

"Seems like you've got it all figured out, Miss Brooks..."

The light turned green, and their voices faded as the cab pulled away.

I quietly put my phone away. I could smell a conspiracy brewing around Liam.

I asked Ethan for the contact info of a private investigator and hired them to dig into Amber.

Even though I had decided not to marry Liam, I couldn't stand by and watch Uncle Richard and Aunt Catherine get scammed.

They were the ones who pulled me from the wreckage of that car crash and raised me as their own daughter.

That was a debt of gratitude I could never fully repay.

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