Phoenix Of Ruin: My Second Life Comes With A Better Man

"Nicolas Reed," the kidnapper called out with a cruel smile. "This is the last choice you'll have to make between them. Your wife, or the woman you still can't forget. Only one leaves here breathing. Which one will it be?"

At the crumbling dock by the sea, Nicolas Reed's face turned grim beneath the kidnapper's cold ultimatum.

Caroline Wheeler stood in her white dress, delicate and trembling, every inch the picture of helpless sorrow.

Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "Nicolas, don't think about me. Save Ashley. She's your wife. Knowing you're happy is enough for me. I could die right now and feel at peace."

Across from her, Ashley Dunn was a far crueler sight—her body streaked with blood, her breathing weak, her mind fading after days of relentless torture.

Ever since she and Caroline had been kidnapped together, Nicolas was forced to choose one to suffer each day.

Three days ago, to protect Caroline, he had chosen Ashley—and watched the kidnappers tear out her fingernails one by one.

Two days ago, again to spare Caroline, he had chosen Ashley—and watched them destroy her face.

The day before, once more to spare Caroline, he had chosen Ashley—and watched them smash her legs.

Summoning every last shred of strength, Ashley forced her head up and looked at the man she had loved for ten long years, still clinging to the desperate hope that he might remember the five years they had shared as husband and wife.

Nicolas did not spare her so much as a glance.

"I'm choosing Caroline," he blurted without hesitation. "Let her go. Right now."

A violent tremor passed through Ashley's cracked lips. Days of torture had shredded her voice until it came out hoarse and broken. "Nicolas... why?"

Nothing about it made sense to her. She was his wife, so why did he look so determined to send her to her death?

At last, Nicolas turned his gaze on her, and all she found there was icy disgust and blatant contempt.

"Why?" he echoed, his voice sharp. "Ashley, because you've always been jealous of Caroline. For two whole years, you kept finding ways to go after her. For all I know, you were the one who arranged this kidnapping. If putting your own life on the line is some kind of twisted game to you, then fine—consider this your payment for everything you owe her."

Frantic, Ashley kept shaking her head, tears blurring her battered face. "I didn't... I really didn't..."

Yet Nicolas refused to listen.

Without another glance at her, he stepped forward, took Caroline the moment her restraints were undone, and gathered her tightly against his chest.

Curled against his chest, Caroline wept in soft, trembling little sobs that made her seem even more delicate and wronged.

Yet the instant Nicolas's gaze shifted away, she tilted her face just enough to catch Ashley's eye and gave her a smug, victorious smile.

With slow, deliberate precision, her lips formed the words, "You