On The Verge of Death

That night, Los Angeles sparkled as usual. The city lights reflected a success that looked beautiful from the outside, but behind it all, six siblings who had reached the top of the world were at the lowest point of their lives.

Victoria Alistair – 30th Floor, Los Angeles Hotel

The night breeze brushed against Victoria's face as she stood at the edge of the balcony, her body just one step away from the void. Her hands gripped the cold iron railing, her eyes staring blankly at the streets below.

"Just one step... and this will all be over."

The Oscar trophy she had won still lay on the table inside the room, gleaming under the hotel lights. But it held no meaning. She had played many roles in her life, yet happiness was something she had never been able to portray well.

As her body began to lean forward, a distant noise disturbed her. Sirens, someone shouting in the lobby, loud knocks on the door.

"Miss Alistair! We have to come in!"

The door she had damaged was finally forced open. Several people rushed in, their faces filled with panic. Victoria turned to look at them, her eyes empty, and one word slipped from her lips.

"Too late."

But before she could take that step, a hand grabbed her wrist tightly.

Rebecca Alistair – Penthouse in Los Angeles

Rebecca sat on the sofa, her head resting weakly. The glass in her hand was about to slip, and on the table, dozens of pills were scattered.

The air in the room felt heavy, and her consciousness began to fade. In her hazy mind, she saw her mother—Penelope Alistair—smiling gently at her.

"Mom... I can finally rest..."

But before she could completely lose consciousness, the door burst open. A man rushed in, his face stricken with fear as he saw Rebecca's limp body.

"Rebecca! Damn it, what are you doing?!"

Strong hands shook her, and before everything went dark, she heard a faint voice calling her name.

Madison Alistair – Apartment in Los Angeles

Madison stared at her reflection in the mirror, her body just a shadow of what it used to be. Her bones protruded, her face was hollow, her lips cracked. She had stopped eating for weeks, letting herself slowly disappear.

On the table beside her were dozens of fashion magazines with her face on the cover. Ironic, how the world saw her as a symbol of beauty while she herself felt disgusting.

Her body was weak, and as she tried to stand, her vision spun. Her steps faltered, and within seconds, she collapsed onto the floor.

As her consciousness began to slip away, her apartment door swung open. Urgent footsteps rushed toward her.

"Madison! No! Please stay with me!"

Davis Alistair – Los Angeles Highway

Davis pushed the throttle of his motorcycle to the limit, the wind slamming against his face, but he didn't care. The roar of the Ducati's engine was like the constant noise in his head—loud, relentless, painful.

He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the freedom in speed.

"At least I'll die doing what I love."

When he opened his eyes again, a massive truck was right in front of him. But somehow, at the last second, his instincts still wanted to survive. His hands yanked the handlebars to the left.

The tires lost balance. His body was thrown into the air.

A loud crash echoed through the streets. His helmet protected his head, but his body hit the asphalt brutally. The world spun, blood began to trickle down his temple. Before everything went black, he heard people screaming, sirens blaring in the distance.

Sadie Alistair – Private Medical Laboratory

Sadie stared at the syringe in her hand, the anesthetic already prepared for injection.

"It won't hurt. I'll sleep and never wake up."

Her hands didn't tremble. She knew the exact dosage, the most effective method. How could she not? She had studied this her entire life.

Just as the needle was about to pierce her skin, her phone vibrated. Ravi's name appeared on the screen.

She ignored it. But a few seconds later, the lab door was forced open.

"Sadie! What are you doing?!"

In an instant, someone snatched the syringe from her hand, and before she could resist, her arm was gripped tightly. She looked up to see Ravi's terrified face.

"Don't do this... please..."

Sadie finally lowered her head, silent tears falling.

Corina Alistair – Alistair Mansion

Thin smoke curled up from the fireplace. She had thrown all her inhalers into the flames.

Corina sat on the floor, her breathing ragged, her chest feeling like it was being crushed by a boulder. She could feel her lungs struggling, but she didn't reach for help.

"Finally... I can stop fighting."

She closed her eyes, her body growing weaker.

As she was about to lose consciousness, a voice shattered the silence.

"Corina! Oh God, what are you doing?!"

Strong arms shook her, another hand grabbing a new inhaler from a bag. Something was pressed against her face, and suddenly, air rushed back into her lungs.

She coughed violently, opening her eyes to see Malik in front of her. His eyes were filled with tears.

"Don't leave me... please..."

And for the first time, Corina felt like someone truly saw her.

The Alistair siblings never spoke to each other about their plans.

But somehow, fate saved them at the last second.

They were still here. Wounded, broken, but alive.

And maybe, just maybe, there was still something worth fighting for.

They didn't know that night, they all had the same intention. That each of them had tried to end everything.

But they also didn't know that someone would stop them just at the brink of destruction.

Victoria – Los Angeles, Luxury Hotel

30th-floor balcony.

The cold wind bit at her skin. Her body was already leaning forward, her fingers about to let go of the railing.

Too late.

But suddenly, a hand gripped her wrist tightly, pulling her back. Her breath caught.

"Victoria, don't!"

That voice. A voice filled with fear and panic. Victoria turned, her eyes meeting Amir Al Fahad's tear-filled gaze.

"Let me go," she whispered.

"Never." Amir pulled her into his embrace, his body trembling. "I won't let you go."

The knocking on the door continued. Hotel staff and police were trying to get in. But the only thing Victoria could hear was Amir's voice, calling her name over and over.

Rebecca – Los Angeles, Penthouse Apartment

Rebecca was barely conscious, her breaths shallow. The pills she had taken were taking over her body.

A distant voice called out, faint like an echo.

"Rebecca! Hold on! Please!"

Someone's hands shook her. Her breathing grew weaker, but as she opened her eyes, she saw Ethan Zhao's panicked face.

She had no idea how Ethan got here. The last time she checked, he was still in Singapore.

But then she saw something on the phone lying on the floor.

25 missed calls from Ethan.

Before her eyes completely closed, she felt her hand being tightly held.

Madison – Los Angeles, Private Apartment

A loud thud. Madison lay on the floor, too weak to stand again.

Quick footsteps rushed toward her, followed by a woman's desperate cry.

"Madison! Wake up, baby! Please, don't leave me!"

Lea Marie Dubois knelt beside her, pulling Madison's frail body into her arms. Her hands cupped Madison's pale face.

Tears fell onto her cheeks.

Madison couldn't speak. But through her fading consciousness, she could hear Lea's sobs.

"Don't do this," Lea whispered. "I need you."

Madison couldn't cry. Even her tears were gone.

Davis – Los Angeles, Highway

Sirens shattered the night. Red and blue lights flashed, illuminating Davis' body sprawled on the asphalt.

His helmet was cracked, blood trickled down his forehead. A large man in a truck driver's uniform rushed toward him, face filled with terror.

"Hang on, kid!" the man shouted.

Paramedics arrived. They lifted Davis onto a stretcher. A nurse checked his pulse.

"He's still alive!"

Davis' hands trembled, his eyes half-open. He saw the glow of the streetlights above him, then everything turned dark.

Sadie – Clinical Laboratory

Sadie felt a strong grip on her hand. The syringe fell to the floor, rolling away.

The sound of ragged breathing filled the room. She looked up and met Ravi Choi's bloodshot, furious eyes.

"What are you doing?" His voice shook.

Sadie didn't answer. She just stared at him, searching for words. But nothing came out.

Ravi took a deep breath, his eyes glistening. "Sadie… I love you. I can't lose you."

Sadie looked away. Her heart was pounding too fast—not from the effects of the drug, but from something else.

Fear.

Corina – Alistair Mansion

Smoke still lingered from the fireplace. Corina lay motionless on the floor, her face pale, her lips turning blue.

Hurried footsteps rushed into the room.

"Corina!"

Malik Carter sprinted toward her, pulling her into his arms. Frantically, he rummaged through his bag, yanked out an inhaler, and pressed it against her lips.

"Breathe! Come on, breathe!" His voice was desperate.

Corina's body jolted as her lungs struggled to function again. After what felt like an eternity, she finally took a deep, shuddering breath and coughed violently.

Malik cupped her face. "Why did you do this? Why didn't you call me?"

Corina had no answer. She just gazed at him, eyes brimming with tears.

To be continued...