Chapter 1: Just For Love

Lilico slammed five stacks of cash onto the table in front of Ivana. Ivana’s eyes widened, locking onto the money, ignoring everything else, the giver, her surroundings. Everything blurred into insignificance.

She immediately ran her fingers over the stack, assessing its thickness and texture. Her thumb rubbed obsessively along the edges, testing its bulk and reality.

Without uttering a word, Ivana began counting it right there, licking her thumb compulsively, a satisfied smile spreading across her lips.

“Marry him. Make him fall in love. Then kill him.” Lilico’s cold voice cut through the heavy silence like a knife.

Ivana’s gaze snapped toward Lilico as if waking from a trance. Unconsciously, the money slipped from her hand, scattering onto the floor. 

Uncontrollable laughter burst from her throat, shoulders shaking violently, ribs aching. Her gaze darted wildly between Lilico and her boyfriend, Davis, who sat opposite her, desperately signaling her to accept.

“Wait! What?” Ivana finally choked out, suppressing her laughter. “Is this a joke? Or do I look like a hired killer to you? If you’ve got this much money, why not hire a professional?” Amusement lingered in her voice.

Lilico’s stony expression suggested she was deadly serious.

Lilico and Davis exchanged a sharp glance. This wasn’t the reaction they’d anticipated. 

Knowing Ivana, outspoken, unfiltered, and notoriously money-driven (a fact well-known, especially to Davis, who understood she’d go to great lengths for it) they’d expected something very different.

Lilico’s face twisted in disappointment as she glared at Davis. This was not what he’d promised during their deal-making meeting at the club last night.

A silent conversation passed between them with their eyes. After a tense pause, Davis cleared his throat, stood up, and walked to Ivana’s side. 

He sat beside her, took her hand, and began smoothing it softly as he spoke.

“Babe, it’s not what you think,” he murmured, his eyes soft and pleading. 

Ivana stared back intensely, waiting for an explanation.

“Think about the money, babe. This could set us up for life. Remember the business you—” 

“I’d rather work my ass off to earn it,” she spat, pulling her hand away. “Davis, I couldn’t even hurt a fly, let alone a person. I can’t.” Ivana paced angrily in her small apartment, arms crossed tightly under her chest.

She watched as Davis leaned toward Lilico, whispering urgently. Their conversation quickly escalated into a heated argument. 

Ivana scoffed at seeing him try to calm Lilico down, promising he’d convince her.

‘In his wildest dreams,’ Ivana muttered, helplessly her gaze landed on the scattered cash on the floor. 

She gulped. ‘That’s a huge amount of money.’ She couldn't deny how tempting the money was, however, she turned her attention back to Davis and Lilico, still locked in argument.

‘What kind of relationship do they share?’ Ivana’s thoughts reeled. ‘Why me? Why can’t she do it herself? And why is my boyfriend supporting this?’ She cursed under her breath. ‘I love money, but I won’t spill blood for it.’

Determined to refuse, she turned to them, face stern and at the same time Davis stood up and came to her, “Babe, can I speak to you upstairs?” Without waiting for her response, he dragged her towards the stairs.

They entered the bedroom, and Davis immediately seized her hand. He saw the pain flash in her eyes but pressed on. He couldn’t back down now, not after giving Lilico his word he’d convince Ivana.

“Babe…” Davis muttered, stepping closer.

“Who is that bitch? Why did you bring her here, Davis?” Ivana yelled, not caring if Lilico would hear her.

Davis grabbed her arms. “Keep your voice down! She might hear you,” he pleaded in a harsh whisper.

“I don’t care! Not until you tell me who—”

“She’s wealthy,” he explained softly. “I met her at the club, and we made a deal that could change our lives, free us from this struggle.” He emphasized, “She’ll give us millions after the task is done,” hoping for a reaction.

Ivana struggled to understand Davis’s persistence. What truly baffled her was how he’d even encountered Lilico.

Judging by her appearance, the shimmering dress clinging to her figure, bold red lipstick, heavy makeup. She radiated wealth from a different world, far above Davis. 

How had he gotten involved? Confusion swirled, and even with his explanation, doubt lingered.

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t care. I can’t kill.” Her resolve remained firm.

Davis sighed, shoulders slumping, and pulled her into a tight hug. 

This was harder than he’d expected. He’d imagined Ivana losing all reason at the sight of money or the word ‘wealth’ he never thought she’d resist this fiercely. 

He couldn’t help feeling she was ungrateful after all his sacrifices.

Ivana melted in his embrace. This was the man she’d loved for four years, the one who’d supported her after her parents’ fatal accident. He’d borrowed heavily, plunging into debt just to cover their funeral. 

Davis had proven his love countless times. But two years ago, when debt collectors hounded them, insecurity consumed him about “failing” her. Now he was using her as bait?.

She suddenly pulled back. “Why are you doing this to me, Davis?” she asked, raising her gaze to his face, every word heavy with emotion.

“It’s for our good—” he began.

“By marrying another man? Living under his roof? That’s your idea of good? Murdering someone in cold blood—that’s good?” She flared up, shoving his shoulder aggressively.

Davis scoffed, stepped back, and brushed his shirt where she’d pushed him as if disgusted. “Haven’t I done worse for you?!” he shot back.

“Have you killed someone before?” she hissed, moving away from him.

He let out a short, dry laugh, then stopped abruptly. “Do you know the pain of waking up to hundreds of missed calls? The pain of death threats every single day? Ivana, you’re just ungrateful!” he spat. “After all I’ve done for you and your dead parents, this is how you repay me?”

Ivana snapped her gaze at him. “So you’re blaming me? I thought you were sincere in helping me.”

“I was sincere, but all the debtors are on my back! All the money I used taking care of your parents when they were on their sickbed, and all the money I used for their funeral, Ivana, I borrowed it all! And I did it because of you!” he ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

Ivana was dumbstruck. Words failed her, but her mind was jumbled. As she started thinking from his perspective, how the money would clear all the debts he’d accumulated because of her and her dead parents, but the thought of jeopardizing a human life still paralyzed her, thus she couldn’t do it.

She shook her head. “The money is tempting, but I can’t kill,” she whispered, instinctively reaching out to touch him.

“Let’s break up, Ivana,” Davis said, voice hard and flat.

 Her jaw dropped in shock as he moved away, avoiding her touch.

“What?!” Tears welled in Ivana’s eyes as she grabbed his hands. “Davis, you can’t do this to me,” her voice cracked, eyes desperately searching his face as the fear of losing him crushed her.

Davis scoffed, rolling his eyes, unmoved. He knew this was the only leverage. He knew Ivana would move mountains for him, she loved him more than he loved her.

“I can’t be with someone whose ambitions don’t align with mine. Someone so selfish and ungrateful,” he stated, his voice final.

“What if I get caught? I’ll rot in jail!” Ivana’s voice broke; her heart sank.

“I will also rot in jail, if we don't pay off this debt!” Davis yelled in her face, eyes blazing with a rage she’d never seen.

“This is a human life we’re talking about!” she protested, trying to make him see the gravity. 

“This is a million dollars we’re talking about, Ivana!” he retorted, furious. “Look, if you won’t do it, I’m walking out that door and out of your life forever,” he threatened, his expression deadly serious. 

“And maybe I will just find someone who loves me enough to do it.” He turned and strode towards the door without a backward glance. 

Ivana slumped to her knees as it struck her harder that she was even replaceable if she won’t do it. Memories started flooding in; their first meeting at the beach, intimate nights, all his sacrifices. Panic seized her chest.

‘No… no, he can't leave. He can't.’ Tears streamed down her face. ‘If this is really what I need to do to get him to stay with me, then I will do it. 

Furthermore, just like he said, we will get millions after this and it will help him pay off the debts he had because of me.’  The cold dread of losing him swallowed the horror of Lilico’s demand. 

Ivana sprang to her feet and ran after him. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, she wrapped her arms around him. 

“Please don’t leave me, Davis. I can’t live without you,” she cried desperately, clinging as if her world would end.

Davis struggled briefly, but she held tighter. A smirk tugged at his lips seeing her obsession. “Ivana, please let me go,” he said.

She shook her head violently. “No, Davis. I’ll do whatever you want. Please don’t leave. You’re all I have left.”

He sighed. “Alright, let go of me. Let’s talk,” he muttered softly, slowly unwrapping her arms and turning to face her.

Ivana lowered her head as more tears fell. She instantly hated herself for going to such lengths for a man. But did she have a choice? No. This was the man who had been through thick and thin with her.

“I won’t break up with you if you truly want this. You know I won’t leave you halfway. No matter the consequences, we’ll see it through together,” he comforted her. 

She nodded, trusting him completely.

He smiled. “And afterward, we’ll get married, just like you’ve always wanted.” He patted her head softly, like rewarding an obedient pet.

Ivana’s tear-streaked face instantly brightened, lips stretching into a wide smile. ‘He’s doing this for our future,’ she realized. ‘Stupid me—I almost ruined everything!’

He pulled her close, and they strode downstairs where Lilico waited patiently.

Lilico’s gaze locked onto Ivana as she drummed her fingers on the stack of cash, wondering if Davis had delivered as promised. His naked ambition had convinced her he would.

“She agreed!” Davis announced the moment they entered, excitement ringing in his voice.

Ivana sat down, folding her hands nervously, and forced a nod. The taste of her own weakness, agreeing to this rose like bile in her throat. But if it saved her relationship, she would do it.

“S-so… who am I k-killing?” Ivana stammered. The word itself made her stomach churn.

Lilico sat upright and cleared her throat. “You’re going to kill Tardrain Brooklyns. My brother,” she stated nonchalantly.

“What? The Ice Face?!” Ivana exclaimed, jaw dropping.