Se connecterLena sat frozen in her seat as the doctor’s words crushed down on her chest.“How soon?” she asked, her voice barely there.“The next forty-eight hours,” the doctor answered. “Maybe less.”The room suddenly felt unstable.Lena gripped the arms of the chair tightly, afraid she might collapse if she let go.“Doctor… isn’t there another way?”The doctor sighed and removed his glasses.“We’ve been using an artificial support system to stabilize his condition,” he said..“But that was only ever a temporary measure. Without a transplant… his heart will fail again.”His gaze lowered.“And next time… we might not be able to save him.”Lena’s breathing turned uneven. Her eyes burned.“Isn’t there any donor match in this hospital?” she asked in desperation. “Anything at all?”“There was,” the doctor replied.Hope flashed briefly across Lena’s face, then vanished immediately when she noticed the doctor’s expression.“But there was a problem.”Her fingers tightened around the edge of the chair. “W
The words hit her like ice water.For a moment, Lena couldn't move or think. Her mind went blank, then flooded all at once."What?" The word came out barely a whisper.Theon leaned forward, his gaze locked onto hers, sharp and unwavering."I don't mind that you're married to my cousin. You just have to pretend for six months. Be my girlfriend, and you'll get whatever you want." He paused. "Money. Status. Power. Name it."He let the words settle."Including a heart for your father."The room suddenly felt smaller. The cold air pressed against her skin.Lena’s fingers tightened around the document unconsciously. Her entire body trembled.For a second, she just stared at the papers in her hand… then—Rip.The sound was sharp. Before Theon could react, she tore the document into pieces and flung it straight at him.The shredded papers scattered across the table, some landing on his plate, others sticking to his clothes.Her chest heaved.“Theon, what do you really take me for?” she deman
Lena spent the next few months in a strange kind of peace.Her days settled into a quiet rhythm. She juggled between her tech freelancing work, visits to Evelyn, and long hours at the hospital with her father.He drifted in and out of consciousness, but there was improvement. And that was enough for her.It had been two months since she made that deal with Rhys—cutting off all ties with his cousin.Ever since that night, two months ago, she hasn't seen Theon.At first, she had expected him to show up, cause trouble, and push boundaries like he always did. But he didn’t.There were no calls, or sudden appearances. Nothing.For a man who had inserted himself into her life with such force, his silence was louder than she anticipated.She now lived with Rhys in his penthouse, so she couldn’t tell if Theon had ever gone to her old place looking for her.Part of her wondered if he indeed had. Part of her was glad she didn't know.The decision still sat heavy in her chest sometimes, but she
Evelyn and Lena decided to walk back home to help with digestion.They were almost at Lena’s street when a black vehicle sped past them.Lena paused, turning her head.“Hm… who’s that?”She narrowed her eyes, trying to catch the plate number.“I’m not expecting anyone… and that’s not Rhys’ car either.”Evelyn’s lips pressed together.“That… looks like the car Roman usually uses.”Lena’s eyes widened instantly.“Eve! You didn’t text him your location or anything?!”Evelyn flinched slightly. “No need to yell. I forgot.”Lena stared at her in disbelief.“Do you want to land me in trouble?!”“Why would you get in trouble?” Evelyn asked, confused.Lena dragged a hand down her face.“Check your phone. Now.”Evelyn slowly brought it out. She swallowed.Lena’s patience snapped.“What?!”“Thirty-nine missed calls, and… fifteen messages.”Silence settled between them.Lena’s mouth fell open. “How did you not see any of that?!”“…It was on silent.”Lena didn’t say another word. She grabbed Evely
Lena was surprised to see Evelyn crouched in front of her house.She quickly stepped out of the car and ran toward her.“Eve!”Evelyn looked up. Her eyes were red.Lena’s brows knitted immediately.“Why are you—what’s going on?”Her gaze swept around.“Where’s your driver?”Evelyn sniffed. “I came alone.”That only made Lena more worried.“Evelyn, what’s happening?” she asked again.“I…” Evelyn trailed off, her voice hoarse.—A few minutes later, Lena sat across from her, completely dumbfounded.Slurp. Slurp.Evelyn didn’t even spare her a glance as she devoured the instant noodles in front of her.Lena’s lips twitched.“Are you this starved?” she finally asked.Slurp.Evelyn took a few more bites before lifting her head.“Roman won’t let me eat things like this often,” she said, her mouth still full. “So yes… I’m starving.”Lena pressed her lips together.“He should at least let you eat what you want. You’re pregnant.”Gulp. Gulp.Evelyn drank the soup greedily.“Hah…” she exhaled i
Lena took a cold shower, letting the water run over her as she tried to calm her racing thoughts.But it didn’t help much.When she finally stepped out, she felt drained—both physically and mentally.The house was silent.It made her wonder if Rhys was still around.She slowly made her way to the elevator and went downstairs.Her steps led her straight to the door, but she paused.She felt a gaze on her.Lena slowly turned.Rhys sat at the dining table.His hair was slightly damp, and he was dressed in dark casual clothes, looking composed. As if nothing had happened between them.“Come. Sit.”His voice carried across the room.“You haven’t eaten anything,” he continued, calmly spreading jam on a slice of toast. “This was brought in fresh this morning.”Lena frowned, staring at him.It was like the earlier confrontation had been erased. Like he had simply reset.Her feet remained rooted to the ground, torn between walking toward him or heading straight for the door.Her gaze flickered
Roman’s heart skipped the moment he saw her lashes flutter and her eyes slowly open.For a second, he couldn’t breathe.‘Did she hear me?’ He stared at her face, wondering.Evelyn blinked slowly, like she was trying to wake from a deep, heavy sleep. Her eyes were hazy and confused, her heart beatin
“Stay put,” Roman said.Evelyn didn’t move. She sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, trying not to look at the spots where her skin still burned. Every time she shifted, her palm throbbed, and the sting along her side and thighs flared like a warning.Roman walked out.For a few seconds, the room fe
TRIGGER WARNING: NON-CONSENSUAL TOUCHING(This chapter contains intimate physical contact without consent. Reader discretion is advised.)Lena stared at her laptop screen for a long time, her mind trying to process the headline.A scornful laugh burst from her lips.“No way.”She exited the page, an
Evelyn woke to bright light spilling through the curtains.For a while, her brain refused to work. Everything felt thick and slow, like she was underwater. Her body was heavy. Even lifting her fingers felt like effort.She blinked again.‘Where am I…?’Her head ached dully. She tried to sit up, but







