The black Maybach tore through the wet night.

Axel gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white. The tires hissed against the slick asphalt as he turned into the private driveway of the Hamptons estate.

He parked the car, killed the engine, and walked straight into the house. He took the stairs two at a time.

He pushed open the door to the master bedroom.

Chloe was standing by the bed. She was shoving sweaters into an open suitcase.

She froze at the sound of the door, but she did not turn around.

Axel walked to the edge of the bed. He reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a slim, legal-sized envelope. He tossed it onto the mattress.

The envelope landed with a sharp, final thud against the quilt.

Chloe turned her head. Her eyes locked onto the bold black letters on the cover page.

Divorce Decree.

A hollow, agonizing laugh clawed its way out of her throat.

"I saw the text," Axel said. His voice was completely devoid of warmth. "I don't want this accident."

Chloe's heart stopped beating for a full second. Her fingernails dug into her palms so hard the skin broke.

Axel pulled a Montblanc pen from his pocket. He held it out to her. "Sign it."

Chloe stared at the silver pen.

"There is a massive settlement in there," Axel continued, his tone flat and businesslike. "More than enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life."

Chloe did not take the pen. She lifted her chin and looked straight into his dead eyes.

"No," she said. Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was steady. "I will not sign this."

Axel's jaw clenched. He stepped forward, his hand shooting out. He grabbed her chin, his long fingers digging into her jawline. He forced her to look up at him.

"Don't test me, Chloe," he warned, his breath hitting her face. "The Sterling family has a hundred ways to make you walk away with nothing."

Chloe grabbed his wrist and violently shoved his hand away. She stumbled back two steps, her chest heaving.

Axel stared at her for a long moment. He let out a cold scoff. He turned on his heel and walked out of the room.

The heavy oak door slammed shut behind him.

Seconds later, the roar of the Maybach's engine echoed through the window. The tires spun on the gravel as the car sped away.

Chloe's knees gave out. She collapsed onto the thick carpet. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and sobbed until her throat bled.

Thirty minutes passed. The house was dead quiet.

Suddenly, the faint chime of the security system echoed from downstairs. The front door clicked open—someone had the bypass code.

Chloe stopped crying. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and stood up. She walked to the top of the staircase and looked down.

Serena stood in the center of the foyer, tossing a spare key fob onto the marble table. She was wearing a beige trench coat. Behind her stood three men with thick necks and scarred faces.

The trembling girl who had cowered behind Axel hours ago was gone. In her place stood a woman with eyes as cold and calculating as a predator's. Serena looked up. A vicious, triumphant smile stretched across her face.

She walked up the stairs. Her heels clicked against the hardwood steps, slow and deliberate.

She stopped on the landing, just inches from Chloe.

"Axel is so predictable when he's angry," Serena sneered, her voice no longer high-pitched and fearful. "He didn't even notice me following his Maybach's signal. And look at you—a piece of trailer park trash trying to play house. Axel never loved you. You were just a cheap placeholder until I was ready."

Chloe's blood boiled. She raised her hand and swung hard at Serena's face.

Before her hand could connect, one of the thugs lunged forward. He grabbed Chloe's wrist and twisted it violently.

Chloe cried out in pain. The man shoved her hard in the chest.

Chloe flew backward and hit the floor, her head bouncing against the carpet.

Serena stepped over her. She looked down at Chloe's stomach. The fake sweetness was gone from her eyes, replaced by pure, unadulterated murder.