That Year, the Music Fell into Silence

Today, Julian's first love, Valerie, returned. The same Valerie who, three months ago, falsely accused me of pushing her down the stairs.

Now I was on the floor. One of the men stepped closer, his hands going to his belt.

"Mr. Sterling, this is your wife. You're really just throw her away?"

Julian turned his back and walked away. "When you're finished, dump her in the ocean."

Cloth tore. Cold air bit into the exposed skin of my back..

Seven days.

Just seven more days. Until my brother's surgery was over. Until the five million hit the offshore account.