CHAPTER 1: THE FALL
Everyone believed that Ethan Blackwell's life had ended the day of the accident.
Three years earlier, Ethan had been one of the most successful businessmen in the country. He owned luxury hotels, technology companies, and investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Magazines called him a visionary. Investors admired him. Employees respected him.
Then came the crash.
A truck ran a red light and slammed into Ethan's car.
He survived.
But his spine did not.
After months in the hospital, Ethan returned home confined to a wheelchair.
Everything changed.
Especially his wife.
Victoria Blackwell had once adored being seen beside a powerful billionaire. She loved the private jets, the gala dinners, and the attention that came with being Ethan's wife.
But she had never loved Ethan.
Not really.
And when his body failed him, her patience disappeared.
She smiled in public.
She played the role of the devoted wife.
But behind closed doors, her eyes were filled with disgust.
Then came Ryan.
Young.
Handsome.
Ambitious.
And greedy.
Victoria met him at a charity event and quickly became his lover.
For more than a year, they carried on their affair in secret.
At first they dreamed about running away together.
Then they realized something.
If Victoria divorced Ethan, she would receive almost nothing.
Ethan had prepared an ironclad prenuptial agreement years before.
The fortune remained his.
Unless...
He died.
One evening Ryan poured wine into a crystal glass and looked at Victoria.
"What if we stop waiting?"
Victoria stared at him.
Neither spoke for several seconds.
Then she smiled.
The kind of smile that frightened even Ryan.
A week later she suggested a trip to Raven Falls, a remote waterfall famous for its breathtaking cliffs.
Ethan seemed surprised.
"You want to spend time with me?"
Victoria gently touched his shoulder.
"We've both been through so much."
For a moment Ethan looked into her eyes.
Then he nodded.
He agreed.
The trap was set.
The day arrived.
The waterfall thundered beneath dark clouds.
Mist covered the rocks.
Tourists were scarce.
Perfect.
Victoria pushed Ethan's wheelchair toward the edge.
Ryan followed closely behind.
The deeper they went into the trail, the more silent Ethan became.
Finally they reached the overlook.
A thousand-foot drop stretched below them.
Victoria's heart raced.
This was it.
Ryan slowly stepped closer.
Then Ethan quietly spoke.
"Please don't do this."
Both froze.
Ethan continued staring at the waterfall.
"I know."
Victoria's face turned pale.
Ryan clenched his fists.
"I know about the affair."
Silence.
"I know why you brought me here."
Victoria's breathing became heavy.
"Please," Ethan whispered. "Take everything. The companies. The money. Just let me live."
Ryan looked at Victoria.
Victoria looked at Ryan.
Then her expression hardened.
"Too late."
Ethan slowly closed his eyes.
Ryan grabbed the wheelchair.
With one violent shove—
The chair rolled forward.
Its wheels bounced across the wet rocks.
Then vanished over the edge.
Ethan disappeared into the roaring abyss.
Victoria screamed theatrically.
Ryan shouted for help.
The performance was flawless.
They believed they had won.
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But less than sixty seconds later...
A black helicopter suddenly emerged from the fog.
