Annika Price pressed herself against the dim hospital corridor wall, clutching her bag so tight her fingers ached as she stared at the pregnancy test result. Her eyes burned, tears pricking the backs of her lids, ready to spill any second. Just as she fought to pull herself together, Everest Kennedy stepped toward her, a mocking grin tugging at his lips.

“So I hear you’ve got some nasty condition,” he sneered, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Fucking incredible timing, isn’t it?”

“Nasty condition?” Everest’s eyes narrowed, his face hardening into something colder than stone. “What kind of condition?”

Annika squared her shoulders, lifting her chin in defiance even though her eyes were already red and puffy. “It’s not exactly the plague. But I probably should get it checked out… word is it might be untreatable.”

Everest wrapped a firm hand around her slender wrist, his mouth set in a sharp, unyielding line. “How the hell did we end up here?”

Annika pressed her bag tighter to her chest, her knuckles bleaching white under the pressure. “This is what happens when you bury yourself in work night and weekend, no rest. People get tangled up in all kinds of messes. We’re not that different, you and me.”

Everest had fallen from grace hard. Once a wealthy heir, he’d been reduced to a workhorse, running menial errands for his cousin. While everyone else clocked out of their 9-to-5 and went home to their lives, Everest buried himself in work, barely stepping foot in his own place except to crash. He was grinding to pay off massive debts… and now he’d gotten tangled up in this.

After three years stuck with a man she didn’t love, a bitter urge to burn it all down bloomed in Annika’s chest. “Everest Kennedy, I want a divorce!” she declared, voice sharp with spite.

A divorce. What a ridiculous thing to say when their marriage certificate had never been anything more than a legal formality.

Annika wrenched her wrist out of his grip, speaking slow and deliberate, every word sharp as a knife. “From today, we’re done. I’ll pay you five hundred thousand dollars. These past three years were just me hiring you. We’re square.”

With that, she turned and walked away, not even glancing back.

“Hiring me?” Everest muttered under his breath as he watched her slim figure vanish down the hall, a cold smile twisting his mouth. Who the hell could afford to hire him anyway?

His phone rang, cutting through the heavy silence. Everest answered, voice tight with irritation. “Zeke, my assistant set me up. I just got chewed out by some quack doctor. Get your ass here now. I’m not taking the fall for this shit.”

After hanging up, he marched straight to the doctor and demanded, “What was her diagnosis?”

The doctor shook his head. “I’m sorry, I can’t disclose patient information without her consent.”

“I’m her husband. That’s not a breach of privacy.”

“Husband?” The doctor looked him up and down, then gestured toward the exam room Annika had just left, a weird, complicated look crossing his face. “If you’re her husband, then who the hell is the husband of the woman with the ruptured ovarian cyst in there? She also said she had a husband with her today. Excuse me.”

“So she really did have another husband with her?” Everest’s face darkened so fast it was almost visible. Was Annika pulling a disappearing act just to get out of their deal?

Digging for more clues, he pressed on. “Doctor, she said she had a pretty bad condition.”

“Oh? She was probably just blowing it out of proportion when she was mad,” the doctor brushed him off.

Everest realized Annika most likely just had a routine health issue. He tried calling her, but she’d already blocked his number. That only made his mood blacker.

Just then, his assistant Mario Wallace reminded him, “Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Kennedy’s plane lands at the airport soon.”

Everest had always had a soft spot for his little sister, who he’d raised after their family fell. “I’ll go pick her up myself,” he said, his harsh expression softening just a little. “Also, book a welcoming dinner for Selena tonight.”

“Understood, sir. Should we invite the lady of the house?”

Everest’s reply was cold and clipped, leaving no room for argument. “No need. She’s dead to me.”

He was going to make her admit defeat… even if it broke her.

Meanwhile, Annika walked out of the hospital, her head spinning like a top. She’d mentioned the five hundred thousand to Everest not just out of malice—their secret agreement said if she wanted out early, she owed him exactly that amount.

How the hell was she supposed to scrape five hundred thousand together fast?

For the past three years, she’d never loved Everest. She’d just been grateful to him. Her dad had embezzled company funds, was facing prison, and Everest had paid off the entire five hundred thousand to keep him out. When Everest’s business collapsed and left him drowning in debt, Annika had covered all their basic living expenses so he could focus on digging himself out.

There was a viral line online she’d laughed at once: Spend money on a man, get bad luck for a month; spoil a man, get misfortune for a lifetime. Turns out those words were fucking true.

Today, her bank account barely had enough to cover rent.

Jaw set, she called her dance troupe leader. “I’ve decided to take that choreography job overseas.”

“That’s amazing news, Annika! Your talent’s been wasted here. Over there, you’ll really get to shine. What made you change your mind?”

“I’m single now,” Annika said, a sharp edge of irony in her voice. As ridiculous as it sounded, she’d turned down this exact opportunity once before… because she couldn’t bear to leave Everest.

“The gig’s only two weeks, Annika. Wrap up your stuff here first.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

If she could pull this off and get the five hundred thousand fast, she’d be free of Everest for good.

Right after she hung up, her friend Bridget called. “Annika, can you cover a shift for me at the club tonight? Everest Kennedy’s coming, and the manager needs someone with your look.”

Bridget knew all about Annika’s struggle with low-paying dance gigs, how she picked up extra work just to keep Everest afloat. Annika was always the first person she called when they needed an extra hand.

“Is that really the Everest Kennedy, the old high society one?” Annika asked. She’d heard rumors he was a silent investor in the place.

“Yeah, and he’s a total mystery. I’ve worked here months and never even seen him in person. We just gotta stay professional, that’s all.”

“Sure, I’ll be there soon,” Annika agreed. It was just serving drinks, easy money, especially with Bridget covering for her.

That evening, beside the dimly lit pool where crocodiles lurked, the event’s opulence couldn’t hide the raw danger thrumming in the air. The massive reptiles shifted ominously under the surface, their rough scales glinting under the artificial lights.

“Can you believe they’re throwing a party right next to a croc pool with five full-grown Nile crocs? These things are terrifying—they could rip a grown person in half,” one server whispered, eyes wide with fear.

“These rich brats really know how to have a wild time, huh?” another muttered.

Annika, dressed in the club’s tight black uniform and a delicate half-mask, carried a tray of champagne past the pool quietly. She shuddered when a croc snapped at a hunk of raw meat, goosebumps rising all over her wet skin.

A group of young socialites stood at the edge, tossing meat into the water and cackling with wild exhilaration. “This is such a rush!” one whooped.

“C’mon, let’s make this even more interesting,” a girl in a glittering silver dress suggested, yanking a diamond necklace off her throat and tossing it straight into the deep end. “Oops! That was a gift from my brother. It’s a limited edition worth a million bucks!”

The crowd’s excitement exploded into a fever pitch.

“Ha! That’s fucking hilarious! Whoever dives in and gets Selena’s necklace gets one hundred thousand dollars cash!” someone shouted.

Annika’s blood boiled at these entitled rich elites, treating human life like a cheap party game.

The servers all exchanged uneasy glances. The reward was tempting… but who the hell would risk their life for money?

“I can’t even swim,” one mumbled.

“I’ve got kids to feed, I’m not risking my neck for this cash,” another added.

The manager shoved Bridget forward. “Bridget, you’re the head server. You go in.”

Bridget hesitated, fear plain as day in her eyes. “Manager, I… I’m on my period. Crocs are attracted to blood—they’ll eat me alive.”

“Do you want all of us out of a job? That necklace belongs to Everest’s precious little sister. We can’t afford to piss off the Kennedys. Someone has to go.”

Bridget’s face went paper white. Who was gonna draw the short straw here?

“I’ll do it.” Confident in her years of competitive swimming training, Annika stepped forward. Bridget had bailed her out a hundred times—she couldn’t leave her hanging now. Besides, she needed that hundred grand bad.

“Bridget, toss more meat to distract the crocs. I’ll dive in right where she threw the necklace.”

“Be so careful, Annika,” Bridget pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.

Annika took a deep breath and dove into the pool, her body screaming urgency. The cold, murky water swallowed her whole, reeking of damp earth and raw animal musk.

Suddenly, Bridget’s voice cut through the water, sharp with panic. “Annika, get out now! The crocs are coming straight for you!”

Bridget didn’t dare tell her the truth—Selena Kennedy had deliberately tossed extra meat in Annika’s direction to lure the crocs right to her.

As one massive crocodile surged toward her, jaws wide open and jagged teeth glinting, Annika’s survival instinct kicked in. She twisted out of the way at the last second, a desperate, frantic move, and kicked as hard as she could for the edge.

With Bridget pulling her arm, Annika hauled herself out of the water, her whole body shaking like a leaf.

Annika Price collapsed on the riverbank, completely drained, every limb heavy as lead and shaking so bad she could barely hold herself together. The rush of barely escaping a crocodile had sucked every last bit of strength right out of her. Then she heard a voice she knew all too well, and her head snapped up in shock.

Everest Kennedy stood over her, radiating that signature authority and effortless sophistication—walking, talking proof of the power and wealth that wrapped around him like a second skin. Even his cufflink, glinting in the sun, was worth more than she’d ever dreamed of earning. Nothing about him matched the hardworking, cash-strapped man she’d married three years ago.

Her head spun. Her whole body trembled. Everest Kennedy, the ruthless business titan… how was he not broke? She’d believed he was a regular working guy drowning in debt. It was all lies! He hadn’t married her because he needed her—he’d married her for a damn joke?

Selena Kennedy draped herself playfully over Everest’s arm, her voice thick with mockery. "C’mon, brother, this lady just risked her life diving after my necklace in the croc pool for a whole million. She’s clearly obsessed with cash. Too bad she didn’t find it, though—guess all she got was a free swim, huh?"

With a lazy flick of her wrist, Selena tossed a handful of bills over Annika’s head, letting them flutter down to land in the dirt at her feet. "Here’s a few hundred for your trouble, darling. That little crocodile stunt of yours was very entertaining."

Annika’s nails dug into the grass beneath her, her jaw set tight with defiance. She’d heard the splashes of meat being thrown to lure the crocs closer. This wasn’t some accident—it was a game for bored rich brats like Selena, who toyed with people’s lives like they were pawns on a chessboard.

She swiped the wetness off her cheeks, lifting her chin stubbornly to lock eyes with Everest. He might not have ever loved her, but she’d believed he was honest. Now? She was just a toy in their sick high-society games.

Everest looked her over with icy detachment, his gaze flicking over her work uniform and the face mask she wore. He didn’t notice the anxious staff hovering just out of sight, and from where he stood, towering over her, his tone was pure dismissal. "All this just for a little cash and a brush with a croc? Are you really that desperate?"

"Desperate enough to fall for a pretty face, that’s for sure!" Annika shot back, her voice shaking with rage and bitter irony. She flung the glinting necklace straight at Selena’s feet. "Here’s your million-dollar treasure, Selena."

Minutes earlier, treading water with a crocodile snapping at her heels, she hadn’t even flinched. She’d dove in on purpose, determined to end this stupid farce with Everest once and for all.

Everest frowned, picking up on the familiar lilt of her voice—especially that distinct little nasal inflection he’d know anywhere. "What’s your name? Take off the mask."

Annika hesitated, her fingers hovering over the edge of the fabric. Then she set her jaw. Why should she be scared of him? He was the one who’d betrayed her.

Still sitting on the grass, she pulled herself up straight, every line of her posture dignified. "You sure you want that, Mr. Kennedy? It might be more of a surprise than you think."

Everest’s expression turned even colder. "Oh, should I be scared? I’ve seen far worse than whatever you’re hiding."

"C’mon, brother, leave it," Selena cut in, putting on her sweet, understanding big-sister act. "She’s just a part-time worker. I’ll handle her little payout. Anyway, risking your life swimming with crocs for pocket change… isn’t that just sad?"

Selena’s interruption diffused the tension, and Everest lost interest right away. He’d already written Annika off as too timid to pull off anything actually bold.

"Riri, I’m ready to change," Annika mumbled, her legs unsteady as she pushed herself to her feet. She wobbled, and her friend caught her to steady her. From across the changing room, Selena’s playful voice drifted over as she curled up against Everest’s side.

"Brother, my birthday’s coming up. What did you get me?"

"Like I’d forget my favorite girl’s present, honey."

Then came Selena’s high-pitched squeal of delight. "Oh my god, brother! Is this the Tear of the Stars sapphire necklace? It’s worth millions!"

Once Selena’s excitement settled down, Everest chuckled, low and warm. "And out in the parking lot, there’s a Bugatti waiting for you, your new special ride."

Selena’s voice practically flew with glee. "Brother, is it the limited-edition Art Car? I’ve been obsessing over that forever! I love you so much!"

Annika’s hand flew to the cheap silver bracelet on her wrist, and she ripped it off and flung it as hard as she could into the bushes. It felt like someone was ripping her heart right out of her chest. The gifts he gave Selena were worth millions, but for three years, the only thing he’d ever given her was a free promotional bracelet from his company. It was already tarnished, but she’d cherished it. She’d never taken it off.

Even when they had nothing, she’d pinched every penny for months to buy him a watch that cost a few thousand dollars—only to find out he was too embarrassed to wear it anywhere. It was too "ordinary" for him.

Beside her, Riri couldn’t help but murmur, full of awe, "Mr. Kennedy is so generous! Any girl would kill to marry him."

Annika couldn’t even force words out. Her chest was so full of bitterness it hurt. Everest had never thought she was good enough to actually be his wife. He’d just tricked her with a fake marriage certificate for his own sick entertainment.

Seeing how pale Annika was, Riri jumped in gently. "Annika, it’s been a hell of a night. You should head home. The manager already said he’d pay you your full three hundred for tonight anyway."

But just as Annika finished changing and grabbed her bag to leave, the manager walked over. "Riri, have your friend take these drinks up to Suite 888."

"Does it have to be Annika? I can do it. She just went through hell tonight, she needs to rest."

"Sorry, kid. Miss Selena specifically asked for Annika. It’s just one last delivery."

A cold chill of dread trickled down Annika’s spine, her eyelids fluttering with unease. Selena, who’d just fed her to the crocodiles for fun, now wanted her to bring drinks to her suite. What new trick was she planning?

"Fine. I’ll do it."

Annika pulled her uniform and mask back on, picked up the tray of drinks, and headed for Suite 888.

When she reached the door, laughter and playful chatter spilled out into the hallway.

"So, Mr. Kennedy, now that Selena’s back… when do we start that little revenge game you were talking about? The one against Annika Price?"

Annika stood frozen outside the private room, tray of drinks clutched tight in her hands, like she’d been dropped straight into an ice bath. Revenge? What kind of payback were they plotting in there?

All those rich heirs circled Everest Kennedy like bees around honey, hanging on every word that came out of his mouth like it was gospel.

"Mr. Kennedy, Annika’s the one who messed up Selena’s leg. She can’t dance for three whole months because of her. We can’t just let her get away with this."

"When Selena’s fully healed, we’ll make sure Annika pays."

Selena’s soft voice cut in, sweet as poisoned honey. "Brother, my leg’s fine now. Let’s just forget about revenge. An eye for an eye just leaves the whole world blind, right?"

"Our sweet Selena, you’re too generous," the surrounding heirs chimed in, drowning her in compliments.

"How could Annika be so cruel to hurt our dear Selena?"

"Mr. Kennedy, we can’t just let this slide. They disrespected us. We have to stand our ground."

Annika listened to every accusation spill out from behind the door, and the blood in her veins turned to ice.

Was Everest’s supposed bankruptcy just… a long-planned revenge plot all along?

She peeked through the crack in the door, and saw Everest twirling his wine glass between his fingers, a cold smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"I’ll make her suffer a hundred times worse than Selena did."

"Mr. Kennedy, break her will first, wear her body down, then starve her emotionally," one guy suggested.

"Poor Annika, works herself to the bone, won’t even splurge on a cab, just scraping by day to day," another added.

"Is this all just for Selena’s sake, Mr. Kennedy?"

"The first phase of revenge has been running three months already, and it’s almost over," Everest said, his handsome face half-hidden in shadow.

"Selena took three months to heal. I’m gonna make Annika wear herself out for the same three months, and end up with nothing."

"Mr. Kennedy, you’re a genius! This is way more satisfying than just breaking her right away. Is phase two already started?"

"Phase two is cruelty," Everest said, and tossed back the rest of his wine. The way his Adam’s apple bobbed was both mesmerizing and ice-cold. "Make her fall hopelessly in love, get her to give everything she has, then leave her hanging high and dry. Isn’t that cruel enough for you?"

Annika’s face went ash gray, every drop of blood draining right out of it. This was psychological warfare. He’d planned every single bit of this.

When she’d hit rock bottom, he’d stepped in, offered her half a million dollars to keep her dad out of prison. Made her feel indebted to him… and made her fall head over heels in love.

The deeper the love, the more agonizing the heartbreak would be. It was a cruelty far colder than any physical harm he could have done.

Annika couldn’t even remember how she stumbled away. Her mind was completely numb. The mocking laughter from the room bounced around her skull:

"Mr. Kennedy, why don’t you let me seduce her, get her into bed? I guarantee she’ll fall for me in a week."

"Annika was the beauty queen of her class, c’mon. Let me have a shot. I’m a pro at breaking hearts."

Annika pinched her leg so hard it ached, the sharp sting cutting through the fog to remind her this wasn’t some nightmare. Selena had set her up to overhear every ugly word. It had all gone exactly according to her plan.

Everest Kennedy was dead to her now.

When she got home, Annika collapsed feverish onto her bed, like she was burning up from the inside out. In her delirium, she clutched her belly, her muddled mind flooded with memories of Everest from the past three years.

Baby, don’t leave. If you really have to go, I won’t stop you. I won’t make the same mistake again…

A little while later, a limited-edition sports car screeched to a halt out front of her building. Zeke Lee had driven Everest back himself, and couldn’t resist joking about the run-down little apartment.

"Mr. Kennedy, what’s with this whole 'poor regular guy' act? I’m just saying, your girl might actually bolt this time."

"She won’t," Everest said, slinging his coat over one shoulder. His usual cold, aloof expression softened into a lazy smile. "It’s been three years. No point stopping now."

"Your girl’s actually one of a kind, y’know? Nothing like those other gold diggers. When are you gonna introduce her to the crew, anyway?"

"It’s not time yet."

Everest pushed open the car door and stepped out, striding toward the building like he did every night. Then he caught Zeke on the phone.

"Why you rushing me? I’m not back yet. Are you my wife now? Know your place—you’re just a friend."

Hearing the word "wife" made Everest pause. At midnight, Annika always called him. She’d ask if he was working late, tell him to get some rest, remind him to take his stomach medication.

Everest checked his watch and pulled out his phone. The screen lit up the dark, flickering faintly.

It was already one a.M. And Annika hadn’t called. Normally she rambled to him about every little thing that happened during her day, but today? Not a single text on WhatsApp.

Their last conversation was yesterday. Nothing since then.

Everest rubbed his temples with his long fingers. He’d almost forgotten—Annika had asked for a divorce. And she’d blocked his number.

He walked back to the car and reeled off Annika’s number to Zeke.

"Call her for me. Tell her I had too much to drink. Ask her to come down."

"Mr. Kennedy, why don’t you call her yourself?" Zeke’s eyes glinted with amusement. "Did you two have a fight?"

"Just the usual little spat," Everest said, a flicker of awkwardness touching his normally composed face.

Zeke called three times before it finally went through.

"Hey Annika, Everest’s drunk out here. Could you come down and get him?"

On the other end of the line, Annika mumbled, sniffling. "Don’t bother me."

The call cut off sharp, and Zeke couldn’t hide his grin.

"Told you, man. Everybody has a breaking point. She’s put up with three years of this crap. She’s at her wits’ end."

Everest’s face darkened noticeably, and his old stomach problem flared up. He’d been hospitalized once for stomach bleeding. Annika had stayed by his side the whole time, never left once. She’d researched all the best supplements to protect his stomach, never stopped nagging him about his pills.

She even paid the hospital bill out of her own pocket. Never asked him for a single thing in return.

Her constant reminders used to annoy him sometimes, but today… no calls, and he’d completely forgotten to take his medication at all.

In the dim glow of the streetlight, his eyes held a deep, unreadable darkness.

"Call again. Tell her I drank so much I’m bleeding internally."