chapter 1

The day I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Ethan Foster had his new fiancée, Olivia Elliott, in his arms and shoved the divorce papers at me.

"Now that the Bennett family’s gone under, you’re of no use to me anymore. Be glad I’m even giving you a clean break—for old times’ sake." Ethan said.

His gaze was freezing, like he could see my spoiled temper about to cause a total mess.

But I didn't explode. I just signed the divorce papers quietly.

"Fine. I'll move out tomorrow," I said.

Ethan froze, then gave a smile, like he couldn't believe I was being this cooperative. He even asked if I had any other requests.

I gripped my medical report tightly, not saying a word.

"Just give me five hundred thousand dollars," I said.

Ten days later, I was buried in Cindralis Cemetery. A single plot there cost exactly that much.

......

Across from me, Ethan let out a chuckle and slid a check my way. "Five hundred thousand? Here's five million.

"Just stay in line. Out of respect for the past, our family won't treat you unfairly."

Back then, if Ethan had dared mention divorce, I would've flipped the table on him.

But now, the sickness had drained me so bad I didn't even have the energy to argue. Even Olivia's smug little glare from Ethan's arms wasn't worth my time.

"Thanks." I pinched the check and stuffed it into the bag with my medical records.

Ethan's smile froze, his eyes full of disbelief. Then he exhaled in relief, pulled Olivia close, and started to walk off.

But I stopped him after just two steps. "Wait!"

Ethan turned, brows furrowed, like he knew this was coming and was waiting to hear what I'd say next.

"Knew you wouldn't let it go that easily. Claire Bennett, can you spit it all out at once? The Foster Family and the Elliott Family wedding is right around the corner. I'm busy. I don't have time for your drama."

I walked up, dropped the villa keys into Olivia's hand, and said calmly, "Sorry, these are the keys to the villa. You should take them.

"Wish you two a lifetime of happiness."

Not just Ethan—even Olivia looked thrown off. She eyed me like she couldn't figure out what game I was playing, but she still took the keys.

That was when I finally walked away at ease.

The wind blew, and Ethan wasn't sure if he was imagining it. The clothes that used to fit me perfectly now hung empty, my skinny back made him freeze for a moment.

Ethan figured I was starving myself again, all for the sake of looking pretty.

"Ethan, aren't we leaving?" Olivia said.

Her voice snapped him out of it. He finally started the car and drove off.

Honestly, Ethan wasn't the worst guy in the world.

He'd been clear before marriage—it was just a business deal. No love, no strings. Do your own thing and don't cause trouble. Before the Bennett Family fell apart, he actually tried to save it.

But after my parents died in that crash, nothing could save my family.

If I'm being honest, I was the fool. I caught feelings first, clung to this marriage, and dragged it to a dead end.

Later that evening, my doctor, Daniel Cooper, urged me to come in for a check-up.

I slumped in the hospital hallway, staring at the shadows creeping across the floor.

I looked up, and Daniel handed me a cup of water. "Are you really ready to let go?

"If you'd just do the chemo, your chances would still be..."

People with acute pancreatic cancer usually didn't make it past six months.

Daniel was a doctor. He knew well that in my state, I was basically waiting to die.

He was just trying to comfort me.

I lifted my head and gave him a light, almost careless smile. "No, Daniel. I want to go out looking beautiful in the little time I have left.

"If I weren't sick, I'd cling to Ethan like glue. Who cares if he hates me or not? Life's long, I'm this gorgeous—he'd eventually fall for me.

"But now, I guess I don't have the time. Might as well let go, at least I'll leave with some dignity."

Then, like I was showing off a treasure, I pulled out a check. "See this? Ethan gave me a full five million! Honestly, fifty thousand would've been enough. He's probably just tired of me. After my family went under, it's been ages since I felt rich.

"Are you free later? Come with me to Cindralis Cemetery to pick a prime spot."

Daniel's eyes were a little red as he handed me my painkillers. "Sure.

"You don't look so good. Take your medicine first."

I didn't expect to run into Ethan and Olivia here.

He was holding Olivia's hand—they were probably there for the premarital check. Ethan's eyes landed on me and Daniel, and he sneered, spitting out a cruel taunt, "So that's why you wouldn't let go before, even when everything was a mess, and now suddenly you're fine with it? Already got a new guy lined up, huh?

"Claire, was your love worth that little?"