Chapter 4

The mark left by Adrian's slap felt hot, the heat spreading quickly to her chest. The love she had cherished for three years now left only hatred and deep disappointment.

"I hit you because you deserved it! This is punishment for your behavior, which has crossed the line!" Adrian snapped.

Anna shook her head vigorously. "It's not like that, Adrian, you misunderstand—"

"Misunderstand? I saw you push Jessica myself! No matter how angry you are at your sister, you can't hurt her! Do you want to make her even more hurt?"

Adrian moved closer to Anna, grabbing her chin.

"Know your place, Anna! If it weren't for Jessica forcing your parents to look for you, you'd still be stuck in that filthy orphanage!"

The man's last sentence made Anna's heart sink. So her parents had brought her home for Jessica's sake? Why did everyone choose Jessica and treat her like an animal?

Anna's eyes flashed sharply at Adrian. "Adrian, I never hit or pushed her! I swear on our baby—"

"Please don't fight!"

Jessica immediately interrupted, her face tensing when she heard Anna mention the baby.

"I'm sorry, because of me, you guys are like this. I didn't mean to cause a rift between you." Jessica spoke weakly, she began to cry, her face filled with guilt, while a sly glint appeared in her eyes when Adrian approached her. 

Adrian hugged Jessica's shoulders, then the woman leaned weakly  on his chest.

"Jessica, it's okay, it's not your fault, calm down..."

Witnessing this scene, Anna just stood frozen, clenching her fists silently. Her eyes were empty and dark. A sneer of disgust formed on her lips, then she left the room, dragging her weak steps.

***

For some time Anna just closed her eyes without being able to fall asleep, while the clock on the nightstand showed that it was midnight.

Her thoughts spiraled through memories of Adrian, Jessica, and her parents. Each memory intensified the pain in her chest.

 Anna kept thinking about how she could escape this pain and bury it forever.

Her body tensed when she heard the sound of the door opening, followed by light footsteps approaching her.

Was Adrian back? Anna thought to herself, pretending to be asleep because she didn't want to see Adrian's repulsive face.

A few seconds later, Anna's body jerked as she felt a very strong grip on her neck. Her eyes opened spontaneously. Her gaze met a pair of dark, dangerous black eyes. The man's face was covered by a black mask, so Anna didn't recognize him.

Anna choked as the pressure on her neck grew stronger. Her voice was stuck in her throat. 

Anna struggled, her hands clutching the man's strong arms with what little strength she had left. Every time her feet kicked the mattress or her body twisted in an attempt to break free, the stitches in her body felt as if they were being forcibly pulled, causing her to groan in pain.

Her face turned red and then blue as her air supply was almost cut off. 

Anna felt the veins in her temples throbbing violently, her vision slowly began to darken.

Death... just let me die... she thought desperately.

 Her eyes slowly closed, Anna wanted to give up. She would rather meet death than have her body exploited for Jessica's interests continuously.

Anna could no longer bear the disgust she felt when witnessing Adrian's betrayal of love, Jessica's ridiculous charade, and her parents who abandoned her without guilt.

"You must die. When Adrian sees his beloved wife die, it will destroy him. That's what I want, so die peacefully," the man whispered in Anna's ear.

Anna's eyes slowly opened. She could see deep hatred in the man's eyes. Did this man want revenge on her husband?

The despair that had previously overwhelmed her slowly turned into burning anger.

"Y-you're wrong..." Anna spoke with difficulty. "He doesn't love me, it's useless to kill me, even if I die... my husband will never care."

The man's gaze dimmed, his grip loosened slightly.

Anna gasped for air, then continued. "Whoever you are, if you want to destroy him, I'll help you."

The man finally released his grip.

Anna gasped for breath as she rubbed her neck.

"If you don't believe me, take a look at my medical records." She grabbed the envelope hidden under her pillow.

"I lost my organs, even my baby, because of my husband's selfishness."

The man opened the test results, glanced at the contents before closing it again.

Anna instinctively backed away as the man leaned toward her, his cold, sharp gaze making Anna feel that he was truly dangerous.

"So you want to destroy him with me?" The man's voice was heavy and hoarse.

Anna nodded quickly. "If you're willing, I'll pay you whatever the price."

The man chuckled. "And if I'm not interested in money?"

Anna gritted her teeth. "I'll give you half of the 50% stake I secretly own in Adrian's company, as long as you destroy his life."

The man laughed harshly. "Do you think I'm so poor that I'd be interested in such a pittance?"

The man then removed his mask, and Anna's eyes widened instantly. She recognized him as her husband's longtime rival and arch enemy.

"X-Xavier?" Anna stammered.

Xavier smiled broadly at Anna's surprise.

"If you really want to work with me... pay me with something special, something more permanent and useful in the long run."

He stared at Anna's body with a dark gaze, then carelessly sat on the edge of the bed.

"What do you want? I'll give it to you," Anna replied without hesitation, while the hatred in her chest grew stronger.

Xavier didn't answer immediately. He leaned closer to Anna, his fingers combing through the hair that fell across her face. His movements stunned Anna.

"I want you. Anna. Marry me." The man's voice was hoarse, his lips curled into a thin smirk.

Anna spontaneously pushed Xavier's chest.

"Are you crazy?!" Anna growled, knowing how dangerous this man was, even rumors circulating in the city claimed that Xavier was involved with a number of mafia groups. 

If she married him, it would be like handing herself over to a cage of hungry lions.

"I won't give myself to you," Anna hissed sharply, which was met with a seductive smile from the man. Xavier seemed to enjoy Anna's anger.

"I need to make you my woman as a symbol of my victory over Adrian. It's a fair price if I help you destroy him. Remember, Anna, I don't want any other payment."

Anna scoffed softly. She swore she would never get caught up with a man again.

"If that's the case... just cancel it. I'll destroy Adrian my own way."

The creaking sound of the door broke the tension between them.

Anna and Xavier turned towards the door that was starting to open.

Xavier immediately got up and nimbly ran towards the balcony. A few seconds later, Adrian appeared from behind the door.

Anna gave the man a disgusted look as he stopped at the side of the bed.

Her whole body tensed when Adrian suddenly hugged her.

Adrian's embrace used to calm her. Now it only provoked her anger.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong, I shouldn't have slapped you..." he whispered. Adrian then stepped back to look at Anna's face, a soft smile appearing on his lips.

"Anna, you are the kindest woman I have ever met, please forgive me, I promise I won't do it again."

He reached for Anna's hand. But Anna immediately pulled it away.

"Don't touch me."

Surprise flashed across Adrian's eyes at Anna's indifferent response. Even though Anna rejected his touch, he grabbed her hand again, more firmly this time.

"I'm really sorry."

Adrian's face grew more desperate. Anna just stared at him silently and didn't give him an answer.

"I'll keep apologizing all night if you won't forgive me now."

Anna sighed heavily. It would be even more disgusting if Adrian did that.

"All right, I forgive you," she replied flatly, just so that the man would end his charade, even though in her heart she swore she would never forgive him.

Adrian smiled again. "I know you're a very good woman. Honey, can I ask you for one thing?"

Anna gave him a suspicious look. "What do you want?"

"It's Jessica's birthday in two days, she wants to go home soon, she has already sent out invitations to her friends so her birthday party can't be canceled. But her condition worsened tonight, I'm very worried about her."

Seeing Adrian's concern, Anna sneered.

"The doctor said she can only go home if she gets enough blood donations for extra recovery."

Adrian gently stroked Anna's hand.

"Honey, please donate your blood again. She'll be very disappointed if her party is canceled. You don't mind, do you? Giving a few more bags of blood?"

Anna's heartbeat slowed. She pulled her hand away from Adrian

"I can't do it, I'm not feeling well right now," Anna replied indifferently, then  looked away toward the balcony, unwilling to look at Adrian's face any longer.

"I beg you, dear. If you don't do it, Jessica will be embarrassed because her party will be ruined. If you agree, I'll grant your wish, whatever it is."

Anna finally looked back at Adrian. "Whatever it is?" she muttered with a dark look.

"Yes, I'll do anything as long as you agree to give your blood tomorrow morning."

 Anna clenched her jaw hard. Adrian looked like a fool enslaved by love.

"Fine, I'll do it," she said softly. This will be the last time you squeeze my blood, Adrian, she continued in her heart.

Adrian immediately hugged Anna upon hearing her agreement.

"Keep your promise after that," she whispered right into Adrian's ear. Then the man nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, I will definitely keep it! As long as you save Jessica."

A smile slowly spread across Anna's face, a smile that looked dark and full of vengeance.

"Adrian, I will make the best request you will never forget." She thought to herself.