“I saw the silhouette of the car against the sky before my windshield shattered.”

“It was Jason’s personal vehicle.”

I stared at him, a cold dread washing over me.

My own father had sold me into this family to clear his gambling debts, telling me I was marrying a passive, wealthy man who would never wake up.

I had been told I was a caretaker, a companion to a ghost.

Now, the ghost was holding my wrist, telling me his cousin had tried to murder him.

“Why?” I whispered.

“The estate,” Ethan said, his voice growing fainter as his energy flagged.

“My grandfather’s will is ironclad.”

“If I die, or if I am declared permanently incapacitated, everything goes to Jason.”

“But why did they marry me to you?” I asked.

Ethan’s grip tightened further, his eyes locked onto mine.

“To create a distraction,” he said.

“A grieving bride makes the family look human to the press.”

“And your father’s debt gave them leverage.”

“They wanted someone who wouldn’t ask questions.”

“Someone they could easily blame if something went wrong with my care.”