When the Dream Finally Died

Everyone in their circle said Colby Willis was madly in love with his wife Ryann Fowler.

He would spend astronomical sums to charter a private yacht just to celebrate her birthday. And if some spoiled heir so much as flirted with her, Colby wouldn't hesitate to wipe out that family overnight.

Only Ryann knew the truth. Every night they spent together, after the passion faded, Colby would retreat into his study, lowering his voice as he gently comforted another girl.

That illusion shattered on the night of their fifth wedding anniversary. Colby's secretary, Suzanne Price, was kidnapped, and he completely lost control.

That same night, he had Ryann's younger brother, Charlee Fowler, who was being treated at a psychiatric hospital, abducted. Using the boy's life as leverage, he forced Ryann to confess where Suzanne was.

Colby sat high above her like a king on his throne, looking down coldly at Ryann as she knelt before him.

"Ryann," he said, his voice ice-cold. "I'm asking you one last time. Where did you hide Suzanne?"

Ryann's throat tightened. Her blood felt frozen as she stared at the man she once loved, unable to say a single word in her defense.

This was the third time he had questioned her.

The first time, she stayed silent. Colby had cupped her chin and kissed her deeply. "Don't be stubborn. Tell me everything, and I'll let it go."

The second time, she told him she didn't know. Colby's face turned cold. He walked away and starved her for three days and nights.

This time, he had no patience left. He was ready to kill her brother just to force her to admit a crime she never committed.

On the projection screen, Charlee's terrified face filled her vision. Ryann's tears fell uncontrollably.

"Colby, you know he is my whole life!"

Colby sneered, his eyes devoid of warmth. "Oh? Then when he tried to stab Suzanne, did he ever think about how important she is to me?"

Ryann stared at him in disbelief. The man who once shared her bed now felt terrifyingly unfamiliar.

When Suzanne first appeared, Colby had said taking care of her was nothing more than a charitable gesture.

That very night, he had held Ryann for hours, swearing that she would be his one and only love.

And now, just because Suzanne hadn't answered her phone for a single night, he was ready to throw Ryann's only brother to the sharks.

"Colby," Rhea asked hoarsely, "if I don't say anything, will you really kill my brother?"

Colby leaned down and grabbed her chin. "You're welcome to gamble on it."

On the screen, Charlee, dangling from a rope over a cliff, suddenly dropped. He came dangerously close to falling straight into the open jaws of sharks below.

The poor boy screamed in terror, his voice breaking. "Don't! Ryann, Colby, save me!"

He had no idea that the man he trusted most was the one trying to kill him.

The rope jerked him back up, then slowly lowered him again.

Beside Ryann's ear, her husband spoke with a cold smile, "Ten. Nine. Eight…"

"I really don't know!" Ryann sobbed. "Colby, please, please let him go!"

She completely broke down, slamming her head into the floor again and again until blood streamed down her forehead.

Colby watched her indifferently. "Lying even when death is right in front of you," he said flatly. "Ryann, you disgust me."

The next second, the rope snapped. Ryann saw it clearly—Charlee plunging into the sea as countless sharks swarmed toward him.

Her vision went black, and she lost consciousness.

When she woke again, she was lying in a hospital bed.

Colby sat beside her, his expression gentle as he wiped the sweat from her forehead, as if she has only had a nightmare.

"Another bad dream? You always have nightmares when you're sick. You were unconscious for three days this time—must've been worse than usual."

He went on about how the doctors said she had suffered emotional shock and needed rest.

Then, impatiently, he added, "Suzanne's fine now. Turns out that silly girl flew abroad for fun. That's why she didn't answer my calls. I misunderstood you this time."

Ryann turned her head away, refusing to look at him. A single tear slid from the corner of her eye.

Julian's tone suddenly turned sharp. "But if Charlee hadn't done that to Suzanne and caused her depression, none of this would've happened."

Ryann sat bolt upright, ripping out the IV needle. Blood immediately seeped from the back of her hand.

She grabbed Colby and demanded, "Then where is Charlee?"

Colby's expression remained calm. "He was bitten and has already been sent back to the psychiatric hospital to recover. Don't worry. I know how important he is to you. That day was just a joke."

That sentence ignited every ounce of rage Ryann had suppressed for years. She raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. "Colby, I want a divorce."