He Died So She Could Live

Chapter 2 He Paid Her to Suffer

Selene looked at the man before her, who was now even more striking than before, and a dull ache spread through her chest.

Three years ago, she had worn the wedding gown her father designed for her, filled with anticipation as she prepared to marry Adrian.

But on the eve of the wedding, her mother's identity as a researcher developing a new drug was exposed. Criminal forces began retaliating against her entire family. To keep Adrian out of danger, she had no choice but to break up with him.

Then she learned about his accident. His heart was failing. She risked her own life to perform the transplant for him, giving him her heart, while replacing her own with an artificial one. A heart that would last, at most, five years and came with countless complications.

To protect her, her parents arranged for her to be sent to Southhaven Private Detention Facility, allowing her to narrowly escape the disaster. Her family did not escape. Every one of them was killed.

At the thought, Selene's eyes stung. Now, one of them had barely two years left to live. The other stood at the peak of power as the richest man in Southhaven City. There was no future for them.

Once she gathered enough money for the surgery, she would head to the border and continue her mother's research, fulfilling her final wish.

Selene lowered her gaze, hiding the pain in her eyes. When she looked up again, only resolve remained.

"No. I've never regretted it. The only thing I've ever loved is money."

Bang! Adrian's composure shattered. His eyes flared with fury as his fist slammed against the wall beside her.

"Good. Very good. Since you love money that much, then stay by my side from now on. Vivian isn't in good health. She needs someone to test medication for her. Fifty thousand per trial."

Silence fell. Just as he thought she would not respond, Selene pressed her lips together and spoke, "Not enough. One hundred thousand per trial."

Adrian froze. Shock flickered across his face, then gave way to a darker, colder fury. When he looked at her again, there was nothing but anger.

"Fine. Then we start tonight."

Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked straight toward Vivian, taking her hand and leading her to the center of the stage.

Selene stood in the corner, watching as the two of them, pressed close together, embraced and kissed under the crowd's eager cheers.

A tear slid from the corner of her eye, falling silently to the floor, vanishing without a trace.

That night at the Vale family estate, Selene was held in place by two bodyguards as a bundle of bills was slammed into her face, leaving faint streaks of blood.

"There's exactly one hundred thousand here. Isn't that what you love? From now on, you'll provide blood and test medication for Vivian. If she's not well, you're not going anywhere." Adrian had returned to his usual cold indifference, Vivian resting weakly in his arms.

Selene lowered her eyes. She did not argue. Instead, she silently gathered the scattered bills from the floor, carefully stuffing it into her pocket.

"Dr. Blake, begin the trial." His voice sounded even colder, laced with impatience.

Selene's hand paused for a moment, but she did not dwell on it.

Carter Blake approached with a slender syringe. A clear liquid flowed through the needle into her body.

All Selene could feel was a piercing, bone-deep pain. As the drug took hold, her body trembled uncontrollably, and she curled in on herself as her limbs turned cold.

In her haze, she felt a hand resting on her back, patting her gently in a steady rhythm. It felt so familiar.

But when she opened her eyes again, the bedroom was empty. She looked through the c***k in the door and saw Adrian in the living room, coaxing Vivian to take her medicine.

"Be good. Take the medicine, and you'll feel better."

It was the same gentle expression, the same tenderness, exactly as he used to treat her. Her gaze dropped to her own wrists, covered in needle marks, and a bitter laugh escaped her.

Of course, Adrian hated her. Why would he ever comfort her the way he once did? It must have been the pain playing tricks on her mind.

The next second, the sharp chime of a notification broke the silence.

Doctor: Miss Price, please come to the hospital as soon as possible for your surgery. If you keep delaying, your body won't hold out much longer.