Chapter 3

Jase stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me. His brow furrowed at the pool of blood on the floor. A flicker of concern crossed his face.

"What happened? Audrey, you've been living on your own all this time, and you can't even take care of yourself?"

Before I could answer, Brielle chimed in with a sweet smile, "I heard Audrey's been involved with hospitals for years. Sometimes she even sells her blood. Could she have caught some nasty disease?

"I already knew you weren't exactly virtuous, but I'm surprised you'd sink this low just for money."

I opened my mouth, but I couldn't refute her accusations.

I'd been dealing with hospitals all these years because I needed to keep track of Jase's condition after the heart-swap procedure.

I'd sold my blood only because, after going bankrupt, I had no other way to afford my medication.

But how could I tell him that?

He was such a fool. Even now, when he hated me with every fiber of his being, the truth would still break his heart.

My voice was so hoarse I could barely hear myself. I muttered the words as though I were confessing to a sin, "Yes. The place where I sold my blood didn't follow proper procedures. I caught a disease."

The concern that had flashed across Jase's face vanished in an instant, replaced by shock and disgust.

He clenched his fists. His words came through gritted teeth. "Audrey, you keep finding new ways to show me just how low you'll sink. Do you really want to take all that money with you to the grave?"

Brielle sighed. "Jase, we can't just stand by and let someone die. Since she once helped you, we should at least do something for her."

She turned to me, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "Our engagement party is in a few days. Since you're apparently doing such a good job as a bartender, why don't you come help out?"

She tugged at Jase's sleeve and spoke in a syrupy voice, "Come on, Jase. Please?"

He snorted and strode forward. "Whatever."

After they left, I dragged myself to the hospital.

The doctor looked at me with pity.

"Your body has developed a resistance to the medication. Ms. Bennett, unless a miracle happens, I'm afraid you won't survive more than a few days."

I stared at the hospital's pale ceiling and nodded. "I know."

Hadn't selling my blood to pay for the medication been my only way to hold on until this day?

I'd waited to watch him grow, reach the point of getting engaged, and have the chance to live a happy, peaceful life. That was enough.

"Spend the next few days saying goodbye to your family," the doctor advised.

I gave a bitter smile. "Doctor, I'm an orphan. I have only one person left in my life, and I've turned him into my enemy. After I die, please give these things to Professor Jase Prescott at Stonebridge University."

I'd once believed life was nothing more than a game of chasing money. It wasn't until I met him that I felt as though I'd truly lived.

No one had ever taught me how to love, so I'd taken it upon myself to love him the only way I knew how.

I'd spent every last cent of my fortune. I had no regrets.

Sometimes, though, I found myself thinking how fortunate I was.

How fortunate that I had money as well as love. Money, as it turned out, was enough to buy his life back.

A businesswoman who'd spent the first half of her life chasing wealth could still be treated with tenderness. Yet when she finally decided to live for someone else, she was condemned for being obsessed with money.

The doctor took the things I'd brought him. "He'll forgive you."

I shook my head and looked out the window. "Forgive me? No. I want him to hate me for the rest of his life."

Just then, my phone rang with a breaking local news alert.

The photo showed Jase in a suit, shopping for wedding dresses with Brielle. She leaned against him. Together, they made a striking couple, the kind everyone envied.

The headline read: "Stonebridge University Professor Jase Prescott Set to Marry, Enjoys Romantic Outing with Fiancee."

I calmly closed the notification and swallowed my last dose of the medication.