Chapter 2

Evening came, and I dragged my exhausted body home.

My fiancé Marcus was in the living room, holding my dog Rusty, playing fetch while video chatting with Celeste.

Maybe it was the effect of the witch's potion, but my steps were steady and strong. They didn't even notice my return.

Marcus threw the ball and turned around to see me. The smile on his face froze for a moment.

"Aria, you're back? How are you feeling today?"

Rusty was a dog I'd brought with me from the countryside. The moment he saw me, he tried to break free from Marcus's arms to circle around me.

It seemed Celeste was determined to leave me with nothing. She wouldn't even spare my wolf companion.

How ridiculous. I was about to die.

Marcus hurriedly hung up the video call, trying to calm the struggling Rusty.

But Rusty ignored him, whimpering as he rubbed against my legs.

This was the only companion I'd brought from the countryside.

From the video screen, Celeste's weak voice rang out again.

"Marcus, does Aria not like me? Even her dog is so mean."

Before I could speak, Marcus was already frowning.

"Aria, Celeste's health is fragile. She can't handle being scared."

"It's just a country dog anyway. I'll have my assistant take it away tomorrow."

Celeste flashed a triumphant smile on the screen.

I lifted my head, my gaze sweeping coldly across Marcus's face.

My stare made him uncomfortable. He looked away.

"Rusty is mine. I'll handle it myself. Don't trouble yourself."

I turned and headed upstairs.

Marcus hesitated, then called after me.

"Aria, there's something I want to talk to you about."

"Celeste's condition—the doctors say it's not looking good."

His voice carried a barely detectable note of pleading.

He pulled me toward the dining room.

On the table was a candlelit dinner spread.

The flickering flames reflected off his handsome face, making him look especially tender.

He pulled out my chair and poured the wine.

"Aria, it's been so long since we've had a proper meal like this."

He raised his glass, looking at me with gentle eyes.

I didn't move.

"Do you remember? Our first date was at a restaurant just like this."

He talked about the past, lost in his memories.

Those moments that once made my heart race now sounded grating to my ears.

Finally, he got to the point.

"Aria, I know asking you to donate your kidney is cruel."

"But Celeste—she became this way because of me."

I paused mid-reach for my wine glass.

Marcus's eyes were filled with pain and guilt.

"She was originally a strong she-wolf, but she's just too kind-hearted. Not only did she suffer a serious injury saving your family, but she also suffered kidney failure saving me.

Three years ago, during the forest patrol mission, if she hadn't pushed me out of the way when that rogue wolf attacked, I would've been the one bitten."

"Her kidneys started failing from the toxins in that bite. I owe her my life."

I almost laughed out loud.

So that was it.

But that day, the one who was bitten protecting him from the rogue wolf was me.

I was the one who got bitten and fell down the ravine.

Celeste had only been waiting at the base camp below. She'd twisted her ankle on her own.

But while I was missing, she stole all my credit.

The same trick she always pulled—just like how she had stolen credit for me saving our family before, now she was stealing credit for me saving Marcus.

My achievements, my injuries—she effortlessly turned them into capital for gaining sympathy.

From that moment on, she'd been scheming to replace everything of mine.

"Aria, you're so kind-hearted."

Marcus gripped my hand, his tone earnest.

"For my sake, please save her, will you?"

I looked at his face, full of deep emotion, and felt nothing but emptiness inside.

"Marcus."

I spoke calmly.

"My kidneys are damaged too."

The pleading expression on his face froze instantly.

"I was diagnosed today."

Last winter, I'd been rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night with severe stomach cramps.

He had held my hand just like this then.

His palms were sweaty, his brow furrowed with worry.

He'd told the doctor to use the best medicine, no matter the cost.

He'd leaned down and whispered comfort in my ear.

"Aria, your health is more important than anything else."

His caring words still echoed in my memory.

Now he was asking me to sacrifice my health to save someone else.

I slowly pulled my hand away.

Looking at the man before me, I suddenly felt like he was a stranger.

The deep affection in his eyes—it had all been an act.

Even his concern had an expiration date.

He seemed to misunderstand my silence, thinking I was throwing a tantrum.

"Marcus, Celeste isn't sick."

I looked into his eyes, speaking each word clearly.

"Her kidney failure is fake. The person who saved you that day was—"

Before I could finish, Marcus's expression darkened.

"Aria, I never thought you could be so vicious."

"To avoid donating your kidney, you'd actually make up such lies to curse her."

I tried to explain. "I saw her eating spicy food with friends at a restaurant. Someone with kidney failure could never do that."

His phone rang.

It was Celeste calling on video.

On screen, Celeste lay in her hospital bed, pale as paper, coughing weakly.

"Marcus, I feel so terrible. Am I going to die soon?"

Marcus's eyes immediately filled with heartache and anxiety.

He hung up the call and looked at me with cold disappointment.

"This is the Celeste you claim was eating spicy food?"

"Aria, you've let me down completely."

My ears rang, and it took a long time to find my voice again.

Marcus sighed with relief. "Aria, I know you feel wronged. But Celeste is your sister. We can't abandon her."

"Besides, it's just a delay. After Celeste dies, I'll give you an even grander mating ceremony."

I stared quietly at the man before me.

This was the man I had once loved deeply.

This was my chosen life partner.

I thought I'd given everything in our relationship, held nothing back.

In the end, all I got was betrayal.

But it didn't matter anymore.

If this was what they wanted, they could have it all.

I lifted my head and looked at Marcus. "Fine. I agree."

Relief washed over Marcus's face. He gripped my hand, his tone utterly sincere.

Looking at him, the last trace of warmth in my heart finally dissipated.

Until this moment, I'd held onto a tiny bit of hope for Marcus.

But now...

Enough. Besides death, I had no other expectations left.

I stood up, ready to return to my room.

Suddenly, a wave of intense dizziness hit me. My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.

As I fell, I seemed to see Marcus's face filled with panic.

I was awakened by the cold.

Opening my eyes, I found myself still lying on the cold floor.

Marcus stood over me, looking at me.

"Aria, can you stop using these methods to get my attention?"