Chapter 2

I had poured a decade of love into Chase.

I used to dream about our future every single day.

Marrying him, having kids, living a quiet, cozy life.

When my tears finally ran dry, I pulled out my phone. But the cold, automated voicemail reminded me that I had no one left to call.

My parents had jumped from their office building after our family company went bankrupt.

I had no home, and no family to comfort me.

I took a cab back to the house I shared with Chase.

Because of my blindness, I had no social life. My entire world had revolved around him.

I packed up all of Chase's belongings and threw them out onto the porch.

This house was left to me by my parents. Since we were over, he had to go.

I needed money for my eye surgery, so I would have to mortgage or sell this place.

Suddenly, the front door rattled. Someone was pounding on it. I sat on the couch, refusing to move.

Chase eventually lost his patience. "Sienna! What is the meaning of this?"

I opened the door and looked at him coldly. "We broke up. That means a clean break."

"This house belonged to my parents. I have every right to throw your trash out."

Chase went quiet for a moment. Then he said, "Your parents were drowning in debt. The bank foreclosed on this house. I bought it back with my own money."

I froze. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. I didn't even have a home anymore.

I turned around to pack my own things. Chase grabbed my wrist. "Sienna, if you want, we can keep things the way they were."

"I just... can't marry you."

I finally understood. Chase wanted to keep me as a mistress. A side piece.

I yanked my hand back. "I'll pack my things and leave."

I dragged my suitcase down the dark streets alone. To save money, I checked into a cheap, fifty-dollar-a-night motel.

My eye surgery would cost over a hundred thousand dollars.

Over the years, I had only managed to save about ten thousand.

I took a job as a waitress at a high-end restaurant.

Inevitably, I ran into Chase.

Olivia was now his official girlfriend. Wearing a stunning red dress, she gasped with fake surprise when she saw me.

"Oh, Sienna! What are you doing working such a miserable job?"

Hearing her voice, Chase looked over, his brows instantly furrowing.

"Sienna, I forgot to tell you. Chase and I are getting engaged next month."

Olivia made sure to flash her diamond ring right in front of my face.

My chest tightened.

Chase and I had been together for ten years.

I was thirty-two now. In the eyes of society, I was an aging woman.

I had wasted my prime years on a man who never had any intention of marrying me.

"Congratulations," I said flatly.

Chase frowned and pulled me to a quiet corner. "Why didn't you come to me? I could have found you a decent job..."

"Mr. Sterling, we broke up. My life is none of your business." I cut him off.

"Sienna, are you really that desperate for money?"

Chase pulled a black card from his pocket. "My family needs a live-in maid. I'll pay you a hundred thousand dollars a month."