I stared at his sculpted, beautiful face–so cold, so perfect–and suddenly, I found it all ridiculous.
You gave up everything for her.
And you couldn’t even recognize the woman who truly moved your heart.
I almost stormed out of my mouth to tell him the truth, but swallowed on second thought.
Maybe we really were never meant to be.
The moment you faked your death, our ties were cut.
“I just came to return something.” I stepped aside to reveal the box.
His expression went cold instantly.
“Still some time until the wedding. The bride’s already eager to send over her dowry?”
“I’m not-”
“I suggest you think twice about this engagement,” he cut me off sharply. His voice was like ice. “I love Lilian. Forcing this won’t end well.”
My fingertips trembled with rage.
There were countless sons of elite families lining up to marry Evelyn Lanchford-
And somehow, to you, I was a burden to be rid of?
I almost shouted, “I didn’t choose you!”
But before I could say a word, Lilian let out a soft cry and collapsed to the ground.
“Adrian… I twisted my ankle…”
He immediately swept her into his arms and disappeared into the next room, Without sparing me a single glance.
I stood in the doorway.
Watched him gently dab medicine on her ankle, his voice low and soothing:
“Does it hurt? Just hold on, I’m here.”
And in that moment, I finally understood.
In my last life, all I ever wanted was a bit of tenderness from him.
And he never gave it to me. Not once.
Adrian Whitmore, You’re blind. And you’re a fool.
You can’t even tell who truly captured your heart/
So go on.
Live this life in regret.
I closed my eyes, turned away, and walked out of the house that was never meant to be mine.
For the next few days, I shut myself away, focusing solely on the wedding preparations.
Outside the gates of the Langford estate, reporters swarmed like vultures.
Faked His Death Married His Enemy. Now He’s Begging
1.5%
But I refused to see anyone.
Until that morning-
Amy burst into my room, pale with panic.
“Miss, Adrian Whitmore is downstairs. He says he must see you.”
I didn’t even look up. “No.”
But before the word had even faded from the air, the front door slammed open with a thunderous crash.
Adrian stormed in, his white shirt soaked in blood, eyes burning red.
“Evelyn,” he roared, “Why did you poison Lillian?!”
I froze. “What… did you say?”
“She collapsed after drinking what you gave her,” he growled, storming forward and seizing my wrist with such force it made my bones creak. They found an illegal neurotoxin in her system! Are you insane?!”
“Let go!” I fought to pull away, but he dragged me out of the house without hesitation.
He brought me straight to the Whitmore family’s private clinic.
Lillian lay in the hospital bed, pale as a ghost. Blood stained her lips.
A thin oxygen tube curled across her delicate face, making her look fragile–almost unreal.
The attending physician’s voice was grim.
“The toxin is a type of neuroenzyme inhibitor. There’s no known antidote. We may have a chance if we try a compatibility match using blood from the suspected source. Otherwise… organ failure is likely within three days.”
Adrian turned to me with a look as cold as death.
“You’re the only person she had contact with two days ago.”
I felt something inside me snap. “Why would I hurt her?”
“Because I told you I love her,” he said flatly. “Not you.”
I stood there, stunned by how absurd–how deranged–this entire moment felt.
Just then, Lillian began to cough violently, spattering blood across the bedsheets.
“She needs a transfusion!” the doctor shouted. “A–type blood! Is anyone here a match?”
My body went cold.
-I was A–type. Adrian knew that.
He closed his eyes. When he opened them, his expression was void of anything but ruthless determination.
“I’m sorry.”
Guards surged forward, pinning me in place.
“Adrian Whitmore, have you completely lost your mind?! I’m the heir to the Langford Group!” I screamed, thrashing. “You touch me, and I swear-
“I don’t care,” he said, his voice flat. “If it saves Lillian, I’ll do anything. Draw her blood. Now.”
The cold needle pierced my wrist.
The pain burned through me like fire, and tears began to fall uncontrollably.
Chapter 3
I’d been terrified of needles all my life.
But now… even crying took too much effort.
I watched him hand vial after vial of my blood to the doctor without blinking.
You’ll regret this,” I whispered, barely conscious.
“I won’t,” he said. “For Lillian, I’ll do anything.”
Darkness crept over my vision.
And just before I blacked out, I swore I heard the sound of my heart breaking.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my room at the Langford estate.
“Miss Evelyn!” Amy rushed to my side, her face streaked with tears. “He went too far! You’ve always been terrified of needles–and he let them force your blood out for someone else…”
I looked down at my wrist, wrapped in thick gauze. The wound still burned.
“Where is he?”
A
Amy hesitated. “He’s outside the gates… He’s made a formal compensation offer to the Langford Group. And now he’s kneeling there, begging for punishment–offering to take ninety–nine lashes.”
I was speechless.
Amy clutched my hand, crying. “Miss, please… Stop loving him. He ruined you for another woman–he doesn’t deserve you.”
I slowly closed my eyes.
“I don’t love him anymore.”
But before the words had fully left my lips, the door creaked open.
I looked up.
Adrian stood in the doorway, soaked in blood. A long gash ran down his forehead.
His white shirt was ruined–soaked through with sweat and blood.
His face was so pale, it barely looked alive.
He stood still, throat working.
“Just now…” His voice was raw,
broken. “What did you say?”
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
