LOGINRhys smiled at William.“Dad.”The smooth way he said it stunned Lena for a second.“Sorry I didn’t come with Lena earlier to visit you.”The nurse supported Rhys into the room while he spoke.Lena snapped out of her daze and hurried over. “Careful.”She held his arm and guided him toward the chair beside the bed before thanking the nurse.William frowned at Rhys. “What happened to you?”“Just a slight fever,” Rhys answered in a calm tone.William scoffed. “A slight fever wouldn’t leave you walking around like that.”“Dad.” Lena sighed, resting her hand on Rhys’ shoulder without noticing. “He already said he’s fine. You just woke up and you’re already worrying too much.”William opened his mouth to argue, but paused after seeing the concern on her face.He coughed into his fist and turned away.“Anyway…” His lips stretched into a grin. “I’m glad you two finally worked things out as husband and wife.”“Dad.” Lena glared at him.“You rushed away from my side the moment Rhys entered.” Wi
Gazing into his sincere eyes, Lena felt her chest tighten.‘What will Rhys think if he finds out Theon wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend?’The thought made her stomach twist.‘Wouldn’t that only create problems between the cousins? Maybe even between both families?’Her fingers curled against her clothes.‘It’s just temporary. No need to make it a big deal.’ She tried convincing herself.“Lena?”She jerked from her thoughts.“Lena.” Rhys called again, worry filling his face. “What are you thinking about?”“Hmm?” She blinked fast before avoiding his eyes. “It’s nothing. Just… a small favor I’m repaying him for.”Rhys frowned. “What favor?”His grip tightened around her shoulders.Lena pushed him back against the bed before he could sit up more.“Can you stop moving around?” she complained. “You were critically ill and still didn’t think to tell me.”Her tone turned irritated. “But you let another woman feed you.”Rhys pressed his lips together. “I’m sorry.”Seeing him look so pi
Lena held her breath for his answer.Theon’s gaze rested on her for a few seconds before he placed his phone down on the table. The teasing look on his face faded bit by bit.“How much time?” he asked at last.Lena lowered her eyes to her plate. “I… don’t know.”Silence settled between them. The only sound in the room was the faint hum of the air conditioner.Theon leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You’re reconsidering?” he asked.Lena raised her head at once. “No.” The answer came too fast.One of Theon’s brows lifted.Lena bit her lip and looked away.“It’s just…” She let out a breath. “Everything happened too fast.”The past few days felt like one long nightmare she hadn’t woken up from.Her father almost dying, the surgery, Rhys returning, the fight, the accusations. Everything came crashing one after another without giving her room to breathe.Lena tightened her fingers around the chopsticks.“I’m tired,” she admitted in a quiet tone. “I don’t even know what I’m thinking
“Bastard.”Lena muttered under her breath as she kicked a pebble down the empty road.The pebble bounced twice before disappearing into the gutter.She had been walking for a while now, yet not a single decent taxi had passed by.Lena rubbed her forehead tiredly.She wanted to stay angry with Rhys. She had every right to be. But at the same time… she couldn’t blame him for anything either.He had tried to help her father. He had left the country, chased down leads, exhausted himself. Just because he took longer didn't mean he hadn't tried at all.What really upset her was the way he kept accusing her and Theon of having something inappropriate going on between them. The way he looked at her like she was already guilty.She pursed her lips tightly.A taxi finally appeared from the other side of the road.Lena immediately raised her hand.The vehicle slowed to a stop beside her.“Where to?” the driver asked.Lena froze with one hand on the door.Where exactly was she supposed to go?The
Without thinking, Lena rushed forward, ignoring the wobble in her legs.Thud!Rhys’ fist landed on Theon again.A deep groan escaped Theon as he stumbled backward and hit the floor.“Ahh!” one of the nurses screamed from the side. “What are you doing? This is a hospital!”Lena’s heart skipped. “Theon!”She dropped beside him.“Lena!” Rhys thundered.The anger in his voice made her turn.For a moment, Lena froze. Rhys looked nothing like himself.His usually neat appearance was gone. His eyes were bloodshot and wild, his chest rising heavily as if he could barely control his breathing.“Mmh…” Theon let out another strained groan, one hand clutching his jaw.Lena turned back fast.“Are you okay?” she asked anxiously. “Do you feel dizzy? Unwell?”Theon only winced, not answering.Lena’s temper snapped.“What is your problem?!” she yelled at Rhys. “He was already exhausted and you still came here to make things worse!”Rhys went still. Something twisted hard inside his chest.He watched L
“Mr. Kensington, we found a possible match.”Theon immediately looked up.The doctor across from him adjusted his glasses before continuing carefully. “But there’s a problem.”Theon’s gaze darkened."The donor's family is asking for an impossible amount. We tried negotiating, but they won't budge."Theon scoffed.“Where is the problem in that?”The doctor fell silent for a moment. “We assumed—”“Inform the family I’ll give them double whatever amount they requested.” Theon cut in coldly.The doctor’s eyes widened.“But…” Theon’s voice dropped lower. “On no account are they to withdraw consent last minute or delay the procedure.”He leaned back into the seat, exhaling through his nose as though a weight had finally lifted from his chest.“We’re leaving now.”—It had been three days.Lena stopped counting after the first forty-eight hours. After that, time blurred into one endless stretch of hospital corridors, sleepless nights, and silent prayers.She sat outside the ward, her fingers
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







