Chapter 1:Let Go, Can’t Let Go
“Rena, help me…”
Theo slumped against the couch, burning up. Red rashes crawled across his skin.
His eyes were glassy, gaze fevered. His tie was yanked loose, shirt buttons popped off. A mess of want and desperation.
“Rena…”
Serena slapped his hand away and stepped back like he was contagious. “Disgusting.”
Theo’s face twisted. “I feel like I’m dying. I’m not lying.”
Serena glanced at the glass on the table. Her disgust deepened.
“Theo, I can’t believe you’d drug me just to get me into bed. You’re sick. Truly sick.”
Serena gritted her teeth. “If you want to give me money, fine. If not, whatever. But I’m not sleeping with you.”
She turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Serena looked back. Theo held out a check. Her expression softened.
She reached for it. He wouldn’t let go.
He stared at her, eyes full of feeling. “You know I only love you.”
Nine years. He’d poured everything into her. Obsessive. Consuming.
“Sick love doesn’t count.” Serena snatched the check. “I saved your life. And you killed the man I loved. You owe me.”
She pocketed the check and walked out without looking back.
Theo slumped back against the couch, body on fire, about to explode.
Years ago, he’d been street racing. The car flipped. He was knocked out cold. Serena happened to pass by and dragged him from the wreckage.
The car had started leaking gas. It went up in flames. Blown to pieces.
If she hadn’t pulled him out, he’d have been blown to pieces with it.
She was so beautiful. Kind. Soft-spoken. Smart. On top of saving his life, he fell for this radiant girl.
But Serena didn’t love him.
He’d funded her rise, cleared every obstacle, showed up every single time she needed help. She still didn’t love him.
Theo thought time would prove his devotion. Instead, Serena fled their engagement party. Sebastian Sutton died, and Serena blamed him. Caldwell & Co. went under, and she swore he’d pressured them.
Serena didn’t believe he loved her.
Theo had tried to end it. This one-sided love.
But devotion was poison. He couldn’t accept that nine years of love went unanswered. A one-man show.
He believed Serena had to feel something for him. Even just a little.
So he drugged himself. Gambled on a shred of feeling from her.
Total failure.
Time to face reality.
Let himself go. Let Serena go.
The drug hit hard. Theo spent half the night in the hospital getting pumped full of fluids.
This time, he was done. For real.
After that, Theo stopped reaching out. Stopped checking her social media. He packed his schedule with work.
When his family arranged a business merger, he agreed. Met the woman. Had dinner.
She asked him, “Are you sure you won’t stay tangled up with Miss Caldwell after we marry?”
Everyone in the city knew Theo loved Serena.
It was a business merger. Past flings didn’t matter. But after marriage, it had to stop.
Theo didn’t hesitate. “Of course not. I have a reputation.”
They got along well. Both families set a wedding date.
The inner circle buzzed. The Ashford young master’s hopeless lovesickness was finally cured.
Theo just smiled when he heard.
That night, Theo and his fiancée were at dinner. The mood was perfect.
She stood up, walked over, and tipped his chin up with one finger. “Why don’t we get a room tonight?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Theo pulled back on reflex.
She smirked. “The wedding’s already being planned. It’s set in stone. Don’t tell me the young master is still saving himself for her?”
Theo shifted back. “I’m old-fashioned. Let’s wait until after the wedding. What are you doing?”
She leaned in to kiss him. He shoved her back.
Her face darkened. “Theo, are you actually ready to marry me?”
Theo’s expression hardened. “If you keep this up, I might need to reconsider this whole thing.”
“Wow. You really think I’m an id—”
She didn’t finish. Theo’s phone buzzed.
He saw the caller ID. One word. “Her.”
Theo never expected Serena to reach out. He was stunned. And a thrill of anticipation hit him.
He fought himself. Declined the call.
Seconds later, it rang again.
This time, he answered.
Before he could speak, Serena’s screams poured through. “Theo, help me! There are so many of them, I’m going to die…”
His body moved faster than his brain. He was up and out. She tried to grab his arm. He threw her off.
She stumbled, furious. “Theo, if you go to that woman, the wedding’s off!”
“Do what you want.”
…
Dark night. Deep alley.
“Don’t be scared. Don’t be scared…”
Theo draped his coat over Serena’s shaking shoulders. Behind him, seven or eight bodies lay on the ground. Some twitching. Some still.
Serena thrashed, trying to push him away. In her panic, she slapped him across the face.
Theo didn’t flinch. “Rena, it’s me. It’s Theo. I won’t hurt you.”
The name registered. Serena crumpled into his chest. “Theo, save me. They hurt me. I want them dead. I want them all dead…”
“Okay. We’ll sue them. Ruin them.” He scooped her up. “Hospital first. I won’t let them get away.”
Ridgemont Private Hospital. Doctors hurried in and out. Theo’s heart was in his throat.
Past 4 AM before he could see her.
She was unconscious.
Theo found the attending doctor.
The doctor shook his head. “She needs surgery. But the injuries are severe. Nobody at this hospital can operate on her. And she was poisoned.”
“I’ll assemble a specialist team,” Theo cut in.
That was easy for him. He’d fix this. He’d save Serena.
Theo moved fast. Calls went out. Money landed. Within hours, a surgical team was assembled.
Top medical team, joint consultation. They’d save her.
By afternoon, the team was in place. Serena opened her eyes. Her face was white as paper.
Theo was at her bedside, soothing her. The door burst open. Declan.
Declan was Theo’s older brother. He’d never liked Serena.
In his eyes, her background, her breeding, none of it was good enough for an Ashford.
These days, a life debt didn’t mean you had to marry the person.
He had no idea what went wrong in the Ashford bloodline to produce such a lovesick fool.
Drove him insane.
Serena flinched at the door flying open. Theo opened his mouth to speak. Declan grabbed him by the collar and hauled him up.
