Ashes of Ambition

Chapter 1 When Caiden Fowler had only seven days left to live, he begged Alexandra Clayton to give him a chance to make up for his regrets. "Alexandra, the truth is, I've always loved Leyla," he said. "Now, at this point, I don't want to settle anymore. Can you sign the divorce papers and let me be with her?" Yet, he was the one who had abandoned his wife and child, and now he was the one crying for reconciliation. ... At Willow Haven Manor, a whip cracked through the air, striking the man kneeling in the courtyard. Bl**d mixed with rainwater, pooling beneath Caiden's knees. After what felt like an eternity, the sound of the whip finally stopped. Caiden's body swayed as he slowly lifted his pale, bloodless face. He looked toward the figure standing in the shadows under the corridor. "Alexandra, let these hundred lashes settle the debt of the eight years I deceived you," he said. "For the time I have left, I hope you won't disturb Leyla and me." With that, he struggled to his feet and walked toward the gate. Alexandra clenched her fists tightly upon hearing his words. She never imagined that her husband of seven years would leave her like this. "Caiden!" She took two steps after him, her voice heavy. "Aren't you afraid of losing everything, of your reputation crumbling?" Caiden paused, then turned to meet her gaze, his voice calm. "Given how things are now, what do I have left to fear?" Without another word, he walked away, leaving no trace of hesitation. The gate opened and closed. Alexandra tasted bl**d in her mouth, unsure if the wetness on her face was rain or tears. After a moment, she called her lawyer. "Draft a divorce agreement," she said. Then she instructed the household staff, "Pack up all of Mr. Fowler's belongings and move them to storage." After finishing these tasks, Alexandra went upstairs. She took down their wedding photo and tossed it into the fire. The image of them, once so close, twisted and blurred in the flames. Her vision blurred as well. Caiden and Alexandra had been married for seven years, deeply in love. Or so she thought, until that day, when she realized it was all a lie. Three months earlier, Caiden went abroad on business and was kidnapped. Though he escaped, he had been injected with a new, unknown toxin. They tried everything to find an antidote, even funding a dedicated research lab. But no matter what they did, there was no progress. Despair crept into both their hearts. Until that day, when the lab confirmed Caiden's body could only hold out for one more week. That was when he came to Alexandra, begging for a chance to right his regrets. "Alexandra, my heart has always belonged to someone else," he said. "With so little time left, I don't want to keep pretending. I hope you can let me go." Only then did Alexandra realize she had always been his compromise. The door clicked open. Her assistant strode in with a stack of documents. "Ms. Clayton, we've gathered information on Leyla Morrison and her past with Mr. Fowler." Alexandra flipped through the files. Leyla and Caiden had once been lovers. Leyla came from a humble background, while Caiden was the heir to a wealthy family. Their love had faced fierce opposition from his family. In the end, Caiden chose his family over Leyla, abandoning her. Now, for Leyla, he was abandoning Alexandra. Her assistant held out her phone. "Ms. Clayton, look at this." Just half an hour earlier, Caiden had rented every LED billboard in the city to confess his love for Leyla. "Leyla Morrison, I love you." Those words burned Alexandra's eyes. Once, Caiden had gone to similar lengths to profess his love for Alexandra. He had said, "In this world, you're the only one worth this kind of effort." Back then, everyone envied Alexandra for choosing the right man. She gave a bitter smile. "Ms. Clayton!" her assistant exclaimed suddenly, her voice bright. "The lab just sent word. They've decoded the toxin's molecular structure. With this, they'll likely develop an antidote soon. Mr. Fowler can be saved!" Alexandra's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively dialed Caiden's number. Before she could speak, a woman's low, sharp scream came through the phone. Then Caiden's voice, slightly breathless, answered. "What is it?" Alexandra gripped the phone tightly, her voice cold. "Caiden, what are you doing?" There was a pause on the other end. "Alexandra, I told you not to bother me anymore," he said. The call ended. The mechanical busy tone filled her ears. She took a deep breath and redialed. But then she realized he had blocked her. Alexandra put the phone down. From Caiden and Leyla's history, it was clear. Caiden was a cold, calculating man. Now, facing death, he was willing to throw everything away. Alexandra wiped away the tears that had fallen unnoticed and gave a hollow laugh, her gaze settling on the man in her phone's wallpaper. Caiden Fowler. If he found out he wasn't going to die, would he still be so reckless? She would wait and see. Chapter 2 Caiden's public declaration of love for Leyla was anything but subtle. News of his infidelity spread like wildfire through their social circle. Alexandra's phone buzzed incessantly with calls. Her parents, who had been traveling abroad, and her older brother, who was away on business, rushed back home overnight. When Alexandra saw them, the tears she had held back all day finally fell. Josh Clayton, her brother, took one look at her and turned to leave. "I'm going to settle this with Caiden right now!" he said. Alexandra quickly stopped him. "Josh, there's no need. Making a scene will only make it look like I can't let go." Josh's expression darkened, but he halted. "What's wrong with Caiden? Weren't you two happy together?" he asked, turning back to her. Alexandra briefly recounted the story of Caiden and Leyla. Her father, furious, slammed his hand on the coffee table. "Fine, just fine! I thought he was loyal, but I misjudged him!" Alexandra gave a bitter smile. Hadn't she misjudged him too? The Clayton family was one of the most prominent in Glimon Province, and Alexandra, as the family's eldest daughter, was strikingly beautiful and exceptionally capable. Back then, her suitors could have lined up from the Clayton estate to ten miles beyond. Caiden had been one of them. At first, Alexandra was drawn to his looks, though not enough to consider marriage. But then she had a severe car accident, and while her other suitors panicked, Caiden tirelessly sought the best doctors for her. He stayed outside her hospital room for an entire week without rest. The day she was discharged, Alexandra ki**ed him and smiled. "Caiden, let's get married." Looking back now, she realized his devotion likely had ulterior motives. Alexandra's lips twisted in self-mockery, her expression slowly hardening. If that was the case, she no longer wanted him. "By the way, Alex," Josh said, remembering something. "Are you still attending the charity gala tomorrow?" Alexandra let out a cold laugh. "Why wouldn't I? I'm not the one who betrayed our marriage." The charity gala was a fundraising event for community development, attended by the city's elite. When Alexandra arrived, the event was already underway. Seeing her arrive alone, the crowd exchanged subtle glances. Some busybodies wanted to pry into whether she and Caiden were having issues, but her status kept them at bay. Her closer friends, sensing her reluctance to discuss it, acted as if nothing was wrong. "Alex, come here," one said, pulling her over. Alexandra smiled and accepted a glass of champagne. A commotion stirred at the entrance. She turned to look. A woman in a blue mermaid gown walked in, arm in arm with Caiden. Alexandra's expression froze. Then she laughed. Well done, Caiden. Truly well done. The woman bore a striking resemblance to Alexandra, almost six parts identical. The esteemed eldest daughter of the Clayton family had been someone's stand-in for seven years! Her grip on the champagne flute nearly shattered it. But Alexandra refused to let others see her as a laughingstock. It took every ounce of self-control not to march over and slap Caiden. Caiden, as if oblivious to her presence, led Leyla to another corner of the room. After an awkward moment of silence, the gala resumed its lively hum. Her friends could no longer pretend nothing was wrong. "Alex, are you okay?" one asked. "What's gotten into that j**k Caiden? I thought the rumors were false, but he's actually cheating!" another said. Some tried to console her. "That mi**ress is clearly just a stand-in for you. Caiden's probably just chasing something new," one said. "Men are like that. Once he gets bored, he'll toss her aside," another added. "She's not a stand-in," a cold, deep voice interrupted from behind. Alexandra looked up to see Caiden standing there, his arm around a teary-eyed Leyla. Caiden, tall and imposing, carried an air of authority from years in power. In his navy suit, he seemed to command the room. His piercing gaze swept over the group, finally landing on Alexandra. He spoke slowly. "I've always loved Leyla. Seven years ago, I did. And seven years later, I still do." The implication of who the real stand-in was hung in the air. Sympathetic glances turned toward Alexandra, more intense than before. Her nails dug into her palm. She thought his public declaration of love was the worst he could do. Yet he continued to trample her dignity in front of everyone. As if that wasn't enough, Caiden paused, then spoke again. "Leyla isn't a mi**ress. I'm the one who pursued her relentlessly," he said. "And here, I formally request a divorce from Alexandra Clayton, the eldest daughter of the Clayton family." The room erupted in gasps. Alexandra could no longer hold back. She stepped forward and slapped Caiden hard across the face. Chapter 3 Alexandra lost her composure in the end. Her hand trembled, and tears welled in her eyes. "Caiden, you d**n ba**ard!" she shouted. Caiden's face turned from the slap, and when he looked back, he froze. In his memory, he had never made Alexandra cry, but now he had. His tone softened slightly. "I'm sorry, Alex. I don't want Leyla to suffer anymore," he said. Tears fell from Alexandra's eyes. She sneered, glaring at the man before her, each word deliberate. "Caiden, this is the last time I'll cry for you." Caiden's heart jolted. "Alex…" "Miss Clayton, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your marriage," Leyla's voice interrupted. Alexandra's gaze shifted to Leyla, who clung to Caiden's arm. "Do you think you have the right to speak here?" she asked coldly. Leyla's face paled. Alexandra's lips curled, her eyes dripping with scorn. "Don't flatter yourself. Even without you, I'd still divorce Caiden." Leyla swayed, looking as if she might collapse. "Alexandra!" Caiden's face darkened. Alexandra ignored him, turning to the crowd with a smile. In an instant, she seemed to reclaim her former pride and radiance as the Clayton heiress. "This was a private matter, and I didn't want to make a spectacle," she said loudly. "But since Mr. Fowler has laid it all bare tonight, let everyone bear witness. No matter how much he regrets it later, the Clayton family will never let him set foot in our home again!" The Clayton and Fowler families were the most prominent in Harbor City. No one dared interfere in their affairs. Silence fell, so heavy a pin could be heard dropping. Only Caiden's calm, cold voice echoed through the hall. "I won't regret it," he said. He handed Alexandra a divorce agreement in front of everyone. Her expression barely flickered, but her smile grew sharper, her eyes colder. Caiden was doing this to defend Leyla. She didn't take his papers. Instead, she pulled another document from her bag. "Sorry, Mr. Fowler, but this is the one you should sign," she said. When Caiden saw the bold words "leave with nothing" on the agreement, he froze. He remembered signing this very agreement before their marriage. Alexandra had said, "Caiden, our circle is full of fleeting relationships, but I want a lifelong partner. Can you promise that?" Caiden had replied, "Let's make a deal. Whoever betrays the marriage leaves with nothing." Alexandra had stared at him for a long time before smiling. "Alright," she agreed. Now, Caiden was the one humiliated. But he didn't let the awkwardness linger. After a brief hesitation, he signed the document. Alexandra watched his every move. When the final st**ke fell, she closed her eyes. In that moment, Caiden was completely erased from her heart. The gala, which had begun as a fundraiser, ended with this dramatic scene. With the divorce, Alexandra gained a massive fortune. She waved a hand and donated two hundred million. The event shifted to casual mingling. Alexandra swirled a glass of red w**e slowly. She was exhausted, but as long as Caiden and Leyla remained, she couldn't leave first. Otherwise, tomorrow's gossip headlines would read, "Fowler CEO attends event with new lover, Clayton heiress leaves alone in despair." "Miss Clayton, we really do look alike," a smiling voice said suddenly. Alexandra looked up to meet Leyla's bright, smug eyes. "You must know by now that Caiden always saw you as my substitute," Leyla added. The words stung like salt in a wound, and Alexandra's bl**d boiled. But her face remained calm. She raised an eyebrow. "And?" Leyla smiled. "I'm just letting you know that Caiden has always loved me. You never meant anything to him." Alexandra's breath caught. Then she laughed, her gaze turning to pity as she looked down at Leyla. "Leyla, love is the cheapest thing there is. Haven't you learned that already? Oh, and I forgot to mention—the antidote is almost ready. Do you think Caiden will stay with you once he knows he's not going to die?" Leyla's pupils shrank. "What did you say?" she asked. Alexandra crossed her arms. "What, disappointed?" Leyla stared at her. After a moment, she shook her head. "No, of course I want him to live," she said. "And I want him to stay with me forever. So…" With that, Leyla stepped back, smiling, and fell into the pool behind her. A loud splash echoed as water sprayed everywhere. Caiden, hearing the noise, dove into the pool without hesitation. Alexandra watched coldly. When Caiden pulled Leyla out, he demanded, "What happened?" Leyla, shivering under a towel, said, "It's my fault for upsetting Miss Clayton. If this helps her vent, I'm okay with it." Caiden's icy gaze shot to Alexandra. She said nothing. Before anyone could react, she kicked Leyla back into the pool. Grabbing a bucket of ice, she dumped it over Leyla's head and spoke coldly. "No, this is how I vent." Chapter 4 Chaos erupted at the scene. Alexandra watched coldly, the frustration in her heart easing slightly. She grabbed her handbag and stormed out. When she returned home, someone suddenly threw her into the pool. A heavy hand pushed her underwater. Who was it? Fear gripped Alexandra's heart. She struggled desperately, but the hand holding her was like iron, unyielding. Just when she thought she would drown, she was pulled to the surface. Choking coughs tore through her as she gasped for air by the poolside. A pair of polished shoes appeared before her. Alexandra looked up into Caiden's cold, dark eyes. In that moment, she saw unmasked killing intent in his gaze. "Alex, Leyla is my line in the sand. You shouldn't have hurt her," he said. Caiden crouched beside her, wiping a tear from her cough-strained eyes. "Go spend a few hours in the freezer to reflect," he added. "Caiden!" Alexandra screamed his name. He knew she had claustrophobia. But her terrified cries didn't sway him. Alexandra was roughly dragged into the freezer. As the heavy door slammed shut, cold air and darkness closed in. She curled up on the floor, laughing bitterly. Her smile was uglier than her tears. She and Caiden had been together not for seven days, but seven years. Seven years of love wasn't easy to let go. But in that moment, her lingering feelings for him vanished completely. Alexandra didn't know how long she was locked inside. When she woke, she saw Josh by her hospital bed. "Josh…" she whispered. Josh touched her head gently. "How do you feel?" Alexandra gave a weak smile. "I'm okay." She looked around. "Where are Mom and Dad?" Josh's face darkened. "They went to the Fowler residence." From her brother, Alexandra learned she had fluid in her lungs, hypothermia, and severe frostbite. She had nearly died. Her father, furious, had gone with her mother to confront the Fowler family, demanding answers. "Caiden's been detained by the Fowler patriarch," Josh said. "They're waiting for you to wake up before deciding what to do with him." When Alexandra felt stronger, Josh wheeled her to the Fowler residence. In the grand hall, Caiden knelt, bound tightly, with a trembling Leyla beside him. When Caiden saw Alexandra, he seemed shocked by her condition but said nothing. He turned to his father. "I did nothing wrong," Caiden said calmly, still kneeling. "I don't regret any choice I've made." The Fowler patriarch's face turned ashen. Though both the Clayton and Fowler families were among Glimon Province's elite, the Claytons had deeper roots. The patriarch didn't want to lose this alliance. He had made Caiden kneel to appease the Claytons and to dissuade him from divorcing Alexandra. But Caiden continued. "I have less than five days left. I just want to live for myself," he said. Leyla suddenly dropped to her knees before Alexandra. "Miss Clayton, please, I've waited for Caiden for seven years. I just want to be with him for his final days. Please don't make this harder for us," she pleaded. Alexandra nearly laughed, feeling like the villain in their story. She ignored Leyla and met Caiden's eyes. "Caiden, have you ever considered you might not die?" she asked. Caiden froze, then smirked. "They haven't found an antidote in three months. What chance do I have?" He had checked every source that day, and the answers were still hopeless. Alexandra began, "The Clayton lab…" Caiden cut her off impatiently. "Enough, Alexandra. We've signed the divorce papers. No matter what you say, I'm not coming back to you," he said. He paused. "I've decided to marry Leyla." Before Alexandra could respond, the Fowler patriarch slammed the table. "If that's your choice, you're stripped of your position as company president, expelled from the Fowler family, and denied burial in our ancestral graveyard!" Caiden's face paled. "Father!" he protested. The patriarch turned away. After a long pause, Caiden gritted his teeth. "Fine, I accept!" The patriarch's face grew darker. He raised a hand. "Take him to the underground arena." The Fowler family had risen from gang roots, retaining some old traditions. Family members who committed grave errors were injected with muscle relaxants and sent to the family's underground arena for three fights. Their survival was their own responsibility. In the first match, Caiden broke an arm and three ribs but didn't back down. As bl**d spilled on the stage, Leyla, now standing beside Alexandra, whispered, "Miss Clayton, do you see? He's willing to die for me." Alexandra said nothing. She believed Caiden loved Leyla. But she also knew he loved himself more. His recklessness stemmed from believing he was dying. If he survived, regret and collapse would follow. Just then, Alexandra's phone buzzed. "Ms. Clayton, the antidote has been successfully developed!" Alexandra gave a faint smile. It would make a fine wedding gift for Caiden. Chapter 5 Besides the Clayton family, Leyla stood closest to Alexandra. She overheard every word of the phone call. Leyla froze, staring at Alexandra in shock. She hadn't expected Alexandra to actually develop the antidote. Rather than joy, fear consumed her. Leyla knew better than anyone how ruthless Caiden could be. If he survived, his sweet promises to her would vanish like sm**e. Her face paled, and she bit her lip hard. In that moment, a twisted, obsessive glint flashed in her eyes. She would never let Caiden leave her again. Nor would she allow him to reconcile with Alexandra. Alexandra, focused on the call, missed the madness in Leyla's gaze. After hanging up, she looked toward the arena. Caiden's three matches had ended. As the heir who had triumphed in the Fowler family's brutal competitions, Caiden's strength was undeniable. He was the only one still standing after three fights. Bloodied and battered, he carried an air of unyielding dominance. His eyes, still burning with intent, swept the crowd. They landed on on Alexandra. "Satisfied?" he asked. Their eyes met, but Alexandra's face remained cold. She said nothing. She had nothing left to say to Caiden. His gaze softened as it shifted to Leyla. "Let's go," he said, extending a hand to her. From start to finish, he didn't spare Alexandra another glance. Despite the Clayton and Fowler families standing up for her, everyone felt Alexandra had lost. Her expression was icy. As Caiden left, she silently turned her wheelchair and departed the Fowler residences. Once, she might have felt anger or sorrow, but now her heart was calm. She thought this would be her last encounter with Caiden. In a few days, after delivering that gift, she would be done with him forever. Leaving the Fowler residence, Alexandra had Josh take her to an upscale sanatorium. In the top-floor VIP room 303, she donned a sterile gown and wheeled herself in. A boy, about five or six, lay on the bed, his face rosy but unconscious. Alexandra touched his cheek gently. "Little Treasure, have you been okay these past few days?" she whispered. After a pause, she continued, "Today, I came to tell you that your father and I…" Her voice broke. Even in front of her child, she couldn't hide her emotions. Seven years was too long. Cutting Caiden out of her heart felt like tearing out a piece of her flesh. No matter how composed she appeared, the pain was bone-deep. Alexandra sniffed, then continued, "…are divorced. But don't worry, he didn't fight for you. I'll make sure…" Her phone buzzed, interrupting her. Caiden's hoarse, cold voice came through, still raw from his injuries. "Alexandra, I warned you. Leyla is my line in the sand. You shouldn't have touched her," he said. Alexandra frowned. "What did I do to her?" Caiden's tone grew colder. "You've been slandering her online. It seems last time's lesson didn't sink in," he said. Alexandra's face darkened. "I didn't…" But Caiden had already hung up. She searched Leyla's name online. The screen filled with trending posts about Leyla being a homewrecker. Within minutes, as Alexandra scrolled, the posts vanished. Then a new headline surged to the top. "Clayton Heiress Caught Cheating." A bad feeling gripped Alexandra. She clicked the post. A video appeared, showing her in b*d with a man having s*x. The setting was her and Caiden's home. But the man wasn't Caiden. Her pupils constricted. She hadn't expected Caiden to stoop so low as to fabricate a video to ruin her for Leyla's sake. Josh strode in, his voice grave. "That video isn't fake!" "What?" Alexandra's face drained of color, her eyes trembling with disbelief. Who was the man in the video? Why had she no memory of it? It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her. Her hand could barely hold the phone. Before she could process, another bombshell hit the trending list. "Fowler Heir Not Caiden's Son—Clayton Heiress's Illegitimate Child." Caiden had personally released a paternity test proving their son wasn't his. Alexandra felt cold from head to toe. Even when she learned of Caiden's af**ir and realized she'd been a substitute, she hadn't lost control like this. She rushed to the hospital where Caiden was recovering, her lips trembling. "What's with that video?" Caiden stared at her, expressionless. "I needed an heir," he said. "But I'd never let any woman but Leyla bear my child." Those two sentences revealed a horrifying, sordid truth. To secure an heir, Caiden had dr**ged Alexandra and arranged for another man to sl**p with her. Now, he'd turned his vile actions into a weapon to defend Leyla, plunging a knife into Alexandra's heart without mercy. In that moment, Alexandra looked at Caiden. She had thought their love was gone, that parting ways was the best outcome. But now, hatred filled her heart. Chapter 6 Josh, who had followed his sister, couldn't hold back and punched Caiden in the face. "You animal!" he shouted. Caiden's head snapped to the side from the blow. As Josh raised his fist again, bodyguards rushed in and pulled him back. Caiden wiped the bl**d from his mouth and looked at Alexandra. "This was supposed to stay a secret," he said. "You forced my hand." Alexandra didn't bother defending herself. She sat in her wheelchair, staring coldly at Caiden. After a long silence, she spoke. "Caiden, I hope you never regret this." When Caiden met her gaze, he noticed the change in her eyes. Those beautiful eyes, once full of warmth, now held only coldness and hatred. His icy expression faltered for a moment. In that brief moment of his unease, Alexandra turned and left. Leyla chased after her, blocking her path. "Miss Clayton," she said. Alexandra looked at her. "You're quite cunning," she remarked. Leyla smiled. "It worked, didn't it? You seem to hate Caiden now. Let me tell you another secret." She leaned closer. "Your son's car accident was his doing." The words hit Alexandra like a thunderbolt. Her gaze sharpened as she stared at Leyla. "You think I'd believe that?" If Caiden needed an heir, why would he harm her son? Leyla's expression froze for a moment. Then she handed Alexandra a USB drive. "This has recordings of him arranging the accident." Back home, Alexandra reviewed the contents of the drive. Her bl**d ran cold. Leyla had told the truth. Her son was only four when the accident happened. How could Caiden be so heartless? Wasn't he the one who wanted an heir? Josh, furious, struggled to control his emotions. "When you confronted Caiden at the hospital, didn't you secretly record it? I'll have it released now," he said. Alexandra, eyes red, stopped him. The truth stabbed at her like countless knives. Though her body trembled with pain, she swallowed the taste of bl**d in her mouth. "Josh," she said hoarsely, "not yet. Wait until he marries Leyla." Then, she would deliver the most devastating blow to Caiden. Meanwhile, across the ocean in a sprawling estate, a butler hurriedly pushed open a wooden door to report to the man inside. "Young master, we've found the woman you were involved with years ago," he said. The man on the sofa looked up. "Who?" "Alexandra, the heiress of the Clayton Group." The man raised an eyebrow, surprised. "My sister-in-law?" The butler nodded. "And it's possible you have a child with her." The man froze, then glanced at the rain outside the window. He stood and gave instructions. "Then I'm returning to the country." Since the scandal of Alexandra's alleged af**ir broke, the Clayton Group lost billions overnight. Gossip reporters swarmed the Clayton estate like flies. Online, vitriol flooded Alexandra's social media accounts. "She cheated first and then blamed Caiden for his af**ir. How shameless!" "Clayton heiress can't get enough? Look at me instead." "Up for a fling? You looked wild in that video." ... Alexandra watched the escalating rumors coldly. She knew the public loved a scandal. The uproar was so massive because Caiden was fanning the flames behind the scenes. But she didn't stop it. The bigger the storm, the worse the backlash would be. She waited for the day Caiden would face the consequences. A day passed, leaving Caiden with only four days. He seemed determined to fulfill his regrets in the time he had left. On the fourth day, he posted a photo of him and Leyla ki**ing under the stars on a snowy mountain. On the third day, he held Leyla's hand on a Ferris wheel, vowing never to betray her. On the second day, he arranged a grand fireworks display for her. On the final day, Caiden and Leyla's wedding arrived. The ceremony took place at a villa owned by Caiden. Having offended the Claytons and been disowned by the Fowlers, he had few guests to invite. Still, Caiden ensured Leyla had a lavish, grand wedding. As the wedding march played, Caiden and Leyla walked hand in hand into the hall. Caiden wasn't truly happy. It was his wedding day, but also his last day alive. He could feel the suppressant failing, pain gnawing at his lungs. Yet he pushed forward to the altar. He had to give Leyla a perfect wedding. The officiant smiled at him. "On this beautiful day, Mr. Caiden Fowler, do you take Miss Leyla Morrison to be your wife, to…" As the words continued, Caiden's mind drifted to his wedding with Alexandra. Back then, the Clayton heiress had been radiant, like a rose ready to bloom. "Caiden, I'm not promising you forever. If you ever mistreat me, I'll leave you," she had said. Caiden's thoughts wandered. "Caiden?" Leyla tugged at his sleeve. He snapped back. "I do," he said. Just then, a group strode in from outside. The leader announced loudly, "The Clayton heiress has come to present a wedding gift." Caiden frowned, about to speak, when the man opened a black metal case and held it forward. "Mr. Fowler, the antidote to the poison in your body is here. Congratulations." Caiden froze, staring at the pale blue syringe. His reaction wasn't joy. His expression slowly hardened. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &2&