Chapter 2
Selene’s POV
Lorelei pouted. “That’s more like it. Good thing I spit it out after one bite, otherwise…”
Lucien finished her sentence: “Otherwise I’d make the bitch pay with her life.”
Hearing those words, my body went rigid.
My heart felt like it was being ripped apart, and my cramping stomach felt like my insides were being shredded.
Under their cold stares, I couldn’t hold on anymore and collapsed.
When I woke up, Lucien was actually sitting beside me. His eyes showed guilt as he said, “Selene, I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“Lorelei and I were separated for so many years before we reunited. She doesn’t feel secure, so I had to do that to put her mind at ease. But don’t worry–I’ll make it up to you.”
My heart shattered completely. To comfort Lorelei, Lucien was willing to destroy me physically and emotionally?
“I’ll make time to spend with you later. And money–how about I buy you a place downtown?”
He waited for me to look thrilled, but I just stared at him numbly, my soul feeling completely dead inside. After a long silence, I whispered, “I just want those few bluebells from the garden that didn’t get destroyed.”
Bluebells were my favorite flowers. They represented resilience and distant horizons–I wanted to take that spirit with me and leave Lucien behind for good.
He didn’t understand what I was thinking and looked pissed off. “That’s all you want? Some fucking flowers?”
“Yeah, just a few flowers.” I couldn’t afford to ask for more–not when I was nothing to him.
After Lucien agreed, he stormed off looking annoyed.
17:15
When Flowers Turn to Fire:Watch Me Bloom Watch Him Burn
11.19%
Chapter 2
The next day, while I was still drowsy from medication, Lucien’s door–slamming jolted me awake.
He yanked me out of bed, roaring, “Who the hell gave you the nerve to hide razor blades in the garden soil?”
I looked confused and was about to deny it when Lucien dragged me out like a dog. “You made Lorelei cut an artery in her foot. She’s lost too much blood. You’re going to donate blood to make up for what your pathetic ass did.”
He forced me to the blood draw room. “Lucien, I really didn’t plant any blades. I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
I was already weak and couldn’t handle losing a lot of blood. I had to explain before that thick needle went into my arm, panic rising in my throat.
Lucien clearly didn’t believe me. He nodded to the doctor and snarled at me, “Cut the bullshit, you
lying whore. You think I can’t see how fucking bitter you are about Lorelei coming back? You’re
pathetic.”
The needle went in, and blood flowed out of my body like my life force draining away. As I got dizzy,
it felt like my life was flashing before my eyes, and I wanted to sob from the hopelessness of it all.
Losing my family left me to grow up alone. When I met gentle Lucien, I thought I’d found someone to
lean on, but it turned out to be just the delusion of someone starved for love.
I was nothing but Lorelei’s stand–in–a substitute who got loved for a while in her place.
“Mr. Castellan, if we draw much more, this young lady might not make it.”
Lucien frowned, looked at the blood bag, and said harshly, “We need another hundred milliliters. Finish drawing it first. The slut can handle it–then give her whatever supplements.”
Finally, they’d drawn the amount Lucien wanted. He left with the doctor without a backward glance, like I was trash.
My head was buzzing, and tears I didn’t even realize I was crying mixed with the dizziness as I lost consciousness again.
This time when I woke up, the room was empty. I’d been dumped here like a broken doll, completely alone and forgotten.
As overwhelming despair filled my heart, a nurse came in and said:
17:15
When Flowers Turn to Fire:Watch Me Bloom,Watch Him Burn
14.8
Chapter 2
“Miss Weylind, this is the blood supplement Mr. Castellan prepared for you.”
I numbly took it and swallowed it down, feeling completely dead inside.
I didn’t want to give up. Once my contract expired, I could start a new life–I had to believe that.
I’d been through worse before–so much worse that I’d survived drinking dirty water for half a
month. I couldn’t give up on myself because of Lucien.
If no one else would love me, I’d love myself. I had to.
17:15
