Chapter 2

Kiara stared at my horribly mangled hands, something flickering in her eyes.

However, it was only for a brief moment, as in the next second, her expression darkened.

"Shane, just endure it a little longer." She was unable to bring herself to meet my gaze, her eyes darting away. "Cain's artificial heart is more important, and every little bit of money needs to go to him to save his life. You just need to save up a little more, and it'll all be over soon…"

By that, she meant the 999th test, didn't she?

Cain's artificial heart was more important only because he was here to oversee my tests. He had the power to decide whether I passed or not, so she couldn't afford to upset him.

Up till now, Kiara still thought that we would be able to marry after I passed this last test, that we would be able to live her dream life.

Unfortunately for her, I no longer wished to play this game with her.

Just as I was about to speak, Cain hung his head and uttered bitterly, "Shane, don't blame Kia. This is all my fault. I'm nothing but a burden to you two… I'm sorry, Shane. I won't take the medicine anymore, so don't be angry, alright?"

With that said, he turned to throw himself at the wall.

Kiara was quick to respond, flinging her arms around his waist and pulling him back. Anxiety was scrawled across her features as she cried out, "Shane, listen to me this once, okay? If you're a man, then you can endure it a little longer. Just wash them under running cold water, and you'll be fine… It'll be okay soon… Really… It'll be okay…"

Staring at the peeling and angry red skin on my hands, I thought back to two years ago.

For the sake of saving money to buy Cain's imported medication, I started eating only plain bread. Besides that, so that Kiara could get enough nourishment for her body, I gave her all the meat while leaving myself with only the vegetable scraps. Because of this, my originally muscular body had lost so much weight that I was hardly recognizable.

I had been haunted by guilt, blaming myself for causing Kiara to become crippled and Cain to injure his heart. I owed them my life, so I was willing to do anything to redeem myself, even be their slave or do the most humiliating things.

Yet, all that suffering had been for nothing.

"Alright, I understand."

With a nod, I turned and entered the cramped, dimly lit bathroom.

Twisting the tap, I allowed the cool water to run over my burns for a moment before dipping my head under the stream. The water slid over my cheeks, hiding the faint hint of self-mockery on my face.

At that moment, my phone vibrated.

It was a message from an unknown number and unknown IP address, with only one simple word, "Okay."

I knew that it was Winona. Only she would contact me in such a manner.

My nightmare would be over soon.

After taking a shower, I collapsed onto my bed, only to wake up in the middle of the night with a fever. Through the feverish haze, I got up, planning on getting a glass of water.

However, I had only just made it to the curtain separating the living room from the bedrooms when I heard Cain speak, his voice deliberately pitched low.

"Kia, for his 999th test, let's have him do a full-body sealed mold."

Kiara answered somewhat hesitantly, "That's too dangerous. It would be so easy for him to lose his life."

Cain wrapped an arm around her shoulders and cajoled in a deceptively sincere tone, "This is the only way to prove that he isn't after the Sommer family's wealth and is with you because he truly loves you. Think about it. If he's even willing to risk his life for you, what reason does your family have to protest you marrying him?"

I had heard people on the black market talking about full-body sealed molds before. The person undergoing the process would be completely sealed in silicon or plaster, leaving only two holes at the nostrils for them to breathe through.

If the operator made a mistake or if someone deliberately sabotaged the process, then the person sealed inside the mold would suffocate to death. Even if all safety measures were taken, the person inside would be unable to eat or drink until the mold formed completely and they were able to leave.

No matter how I looked at it, it was either death or horrible suffering.

I was already shivering from my fever, but hearing that suggestion only made me shake harder.

Nonetheless, Cain was still trying to persuade Kiara.

"He just needs to endure this one last test. After that, you two will finally be able to marry."

Kiara was silent for a long while, long enough that I was beginning to think that she still had a shred of conscience and would reject this ridiculous suggestion.

However, when she finally spoke up, it was to say, "Alright, we'll do as you say. I'm heading back now."

The sound of her wheelchair moving had me hurrying back to bed, where I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.

My heart pounded like a drum.

I had to leave.

I had to protect myself while waiting for Winona to come for me.

Once Kiara was deeply asleep, I forced myself through the pain and snuck out of bed toward the front door.

Just as my hand landed on the doorknob, a blinding ray of light snapped to life behind me.

"Shane, where are you going so late at night?"