Chapter 2

A chill ran down my spine. We had known each other for twenty years, and in the end, it meant nothing. Even when he thought of me, it was only after cozying up with Nicole that he'd remember to call—someone who was already dead.

The phone rang—once, twice, three times—without hearing my voice. I was always there for Chase, 24/7, ready to answer before the third ring. But now? I was gone. How could a dead person answer the phone?

Chase furrowed his brow, frustrated. "Nicole, I'm heading to the location Amanda sent me."

Oh, now you remember me, do you?

Before I died, I sent my location by the river to Chase. If he came now, maybe he'd find what was left of me. Who knows what that calculating killer might do to my body after all this time?

A hand clutched his wrist—Nicole, with those doe eyes. "Chase, stay with me, please?"

Chase hesitated, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "But Amanda..."

"She loves drama, remember? Like when she claimed she was getting surgery, and you ditched a billion-dollar deal to find her bouncing around fine? Or when she thought someone was stalking her, and it was nothing?"

"My sister has been spoiled since day one. She loves these games. Who could really harm her?"

Chase sighed, rubbing his weary forehead. "If Amanda were half as sensible as you..."

Nicole beamed, and I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Once upon a time, he'd said, "Only unloved people need to be sensible. Amanda should be free to be herself."

Chase didn't come looking for me. Instead, he led Nicole to our home. I stood at the door, trying to block her way. However, it was like stopping a train with my bare hands; she waltzed right through. Alive or dead, I couldn't stop her.

Nicole emerged from the bathroom in my nightgown—the one I'd saved for a wedding night surprise for Chase. His gaze lingered on the silhouette beneath the sheer fabric, his Adam's apple bobbing, eyes darkening. After all our time together, I knew this was a sign of his desire.

Feeling the chemistry between them, my heart broke, anger boiling inside me.

"Nicole, that's Amanda's dress," Chase said, a reminder.

"I know." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Chase, you stopped loving her long ago. You love me, don't you?"

"Nicole, enough," Chase's tone grew colder.

Tears welled in her eyes as she played the part of the abandoned waif. "I'm not asking for much, just one night. Please? I want to be your woman."

"Anything else, but not this," Chase pushed her away.

Nicole stamped her foot. "Fine, if you won't have me, I'll find someone else. A delivery guy, a janitor, a male model, even a beggar under the bridge!"

"Stop being ridiculous!"

"You won't even grant me this wish..."

In a heartbeat, Chase pulled her in, silencing her with a kiss. My cries of despair echoed unheard. Chase, the man I'd loved for over a decade, was now betraying me with my sister in our bridal suite. I watched, helpless, as he unleashed his pent-up emotions that night.

Morning light spilled over Nicole's marked skin as she nestled into Chase's arms, shy and satisfied. When Chase came to his senses, regret shadowed his face. "Nicole, about last night..."

I sneered. What's done is done. Regret changes nothing. What a disgusting man.

Before he could finish, his phone rang. A stern voice on the other end said, "Mr. Reyes, this morning someone pulled a designer wedding dress from Ruby River. It's been identified as Amanda's from yesterday. Please come to the station to assist with the investigation."