Chapter 3

My heart soared into the sky, only to crash violently into the abyss a second later.

I didn't even need to think. The man using Vivian’s phone was Chase.

Images of their cozy photos immediately flashed through my mind.

It must be night in Switzerland right now. Chase and Vivian had probably finished dinner, and since Chase had her phone, they were most likely in the same hotel room.

Before I could say a word, Chase spoke in a casual, arrogant tone.

"Hey, so after discussing it as a family, we've decided to let Julian continue the challenge until the very end."

Hearing those words, the last warmth in my heart completely froze over.

A surge of white-hot anger rushed up. I growled into the phone, "You are not my family. What right do you have to decide whether I stay or go?"

Chase let out a dismissive sneer.

"Believe what you want. I've given the family's decision. What you do with it is your problem."

Without giving me a chance to fire back, he hung up.

I was so incredibly stupid. How could I have ever hoped that a scumbag like Chase would have a shred of decency?

Of course, the moment I heard his voice, I already knew my fate. I wasn't entirely unprepared.

Yet, my chest felt like it was being crushed by a giant fist. The suffocating pain made it hard to stand.

But the production crew didn't care about my feelings. Once the time was up, several men physically lifted me and loaded me back onto the truck.

As the signs of civilization faded from view once again, the despair in my soul only deepened.

I had one week left. I had to survive another week in this green hell!

On the final day, just as the countdown was about to end, I crossed paths with a Bengal tiger. The predator leaped from a tree, pinning me to the dirt.

It swiped its massive paw across my face. Right before I blacked out, I heard the sharp crack of a gunshot.

When I opened my eyes again, the suffocating green of the jungle was gone. Instead, I was staring at the sterile white ceiling of a hospital.

I inhaled deeply, welcoming the sharp scent of antiseptic. It was the sweet smell of civilization.

Beside my bed, a man and a woman were talking quietly.

"Vivian, I think Julian is waking up. Do you want to go check on him?"

"Really? Oh my god, Chase, look! He's opening his eyes!"

The woman’s face was stained with tears, but her lips curled into a wide, joyous smile.

"Julian! Julian, you’re finally awake!"

The man stood a few paces back, a fake, plastic smile plastered on his face as he looked at me.

"Glad you made it, Julian. If we had known how dangerous it was out there, we would have pulled you out sooner. You really went through a lot!"

Despite my pounding headache, I could hear the dripping sarcasm in his voice. And looking at the tearful, beautiful woman clutching my hand, I felt nothing but disgust.

I jerked my hand away. The woman looked at me in utter disbelief, fresh tears welling in her eyes.

"Sweetheart, thank God you're okay! I was worried sick!"

"I know I messed up. Once you recover, I promise I'll do whatever you want!"

I stared at the crying woman before me, my expression blank and confused.

"Sweetheart? Since when am I married? Lady, did you get the wrong guy?"