Chapter 1

My sister-in-law, Chloe, was trapped in a deep chasm.

I risked my life, tying ropes around myself, to go down and save her.

Just as I secured the rope around her waist, the support from above suddenly gave way, and we plummeted, hitting the bottom hard.

I looked up, only to see my husband, Brandon Kellen, cutting the rope.

His first love, Vanessa Hayes, laughed maniacally:

“Do it!”

Black-clad bodyguards frantically shoveled quicksand into the pit, intending to bury us alive!

I desperately contacted Brandon through my walkie-talkie.

“Brandon! Chloe and I are still down here!”

Brandon scoffed.

“Three years ago, during the earthquake, you abandoned Liam, Vanessa’s brother, in the ruins for five days to save others. Now it’s time for you to pay the price!”

Vanessa instantly forced out a sob:

“Brandon, thank you so much. My brother’s death is finally avenged.”

As the quicksand reached our ankles, I screamed, tearing my throat:

“Brandon! This is your own sister down here!”

“Amelia, you’ll say anything to stay alive, won’t you?”

“My sister went to Disney with her friends today. I just helped her with the itinerary last night. Next time you lie, at least try to make it believable.”

Vanessa’s voice crackled through the walkie-talkie:

“Amelia, what goes around comes around! The way you caused my brother’s death, that’s exactly how you’ll die with that little bitch next to you!”

I tried to put some distance between myself and Chloe, hoping they’d get a clearer view of her face.

But I was too naive. She’d been trapped here for over a day, and her makeup was completely smeared.

It would be a miracle if they didn't mistake her for a ghost.

“Brandon, you’ll regret this!”

After saying that, I snapped the walkie-talkie off. There wasn’t much time left!

If we didn't get out before the quicksand reached our lungs, we would truly be buried alive.

Chloe gasped for air, clutching my hand, refusing to let go.

“Amelia… what’s wrong with Brandon? Does he really want to kill me? I’m his own sister!”

With that, she finally burst into tears.

Though my heart ached for her, there was no time for comfort now.

If I didn't make a decision, hesitating for even a second meant we’d both die here.

The quicksand crept higher, slowly covering our ankles.

“Hold on tight, don’t let go!”

I tied us together with the rope and began to use the small shovel I carried to dig indentations, making it easier to climb.

The next second, a rock the size of a sandbag grazed my ear and rolled past.

Chloe yelled up, her voice hoarse:

“Brandon! Are you crazy? Why are you throwing rocks at Amelia?”

I covered my ears, trying to avoid more bleeding.

Brandon picked up a megaphone, his arrogant voice echoing down.

“Still running your mouth when death is imminent? You’re asking for it!”

Rocks rained down, forcing me to stop digging. Chloe and I huddled together, dodging the barrage.

And the yellow sand kept piling up; our calves were already completely submerged.

The next moment, the bodyguards suddenly stopped shoveling.

A package was thrown down.

I opened it to find a phone and a document.

The phone was on a FaceTime call with Alexander Kellen.

“It’s not too late to back down. Just agree to this document, and I’ll have you both pulled out immediately.”

I flipped open the document, wanting to see what could possibly make him go to such lengths to kill me.

My mind went blank when I read it.