Chapter 1

I had been with Lucas Sterling for five years when the massive earthquake hit, forcing him to make a life-or-death choice.

He didn't even look at my crushed leg. Instead, he frantically dug through the rubble to save his childhood sweetheart, Chloe, who had only suffered a few scratches.

He tossed me a bank card. "There's five million in here. Enough for your amputation and a comfortable life."

"Don't contact me again. She's sensitive. Seeing someone disabled like you would give her nightmares."

I didn't cry or make a scene. I just watched him carry her away without a backward glance, running toward the medical team.

I stayed there alone, surviving through the aftershocks. I had to saw off my own leg to stay alive.

A year later, I got fitted with a prosthetic and ran into Lucas at a charity gala.

He grabbed me desperately, his voice trembling. "Aria, you're alive? I only saved her first because I thought her injuries were worse."

He said it was unavoidable and asked if I could give him another chance.

I smiled and pulled my hand away. "Bad timing. I'm already married, and I just found out I'm pregnant with twins."