When the moon shows no mercy

Chapter 1 Fifty Thousand Each Time

"Fifty thousand each time. When I get bored, you disappear."

Julian Croft flung a thick stack of cash at Seraphina Vale's face.

The bills scattered across the floor. Seraphina bent down quietly and picked them up one by one.

Without warning, Julian strode forward and seized her by the throat. His grip tightened like a predator closing in on prey.

"Seraphina, how can you be this cheap?" he said coldly. "You would do anything for money. A woman as vain as you deserves to die. You should have died at your purest, at eighteen."

In Julian's eyes, Seraphina was the most despicable woman in the world. She had left him for money. Then she had come back to him for money.

What he did not know was that seven years earlier, she had traded her life for his. She had been gravely injured. She was dying.

Every day he humiliated her, she silently counted how many days she had left.

******

"Ms. Vale, are you certain you wish to sign the posthumous organ donation agreement?" the doctor asked.

Seraphina looked down at the diagnosis report in her hands. "I am certain," she replied.

The report stated clearly that a blood clot in her brain was compressing her optic nerve. Once it reached the brainstem, there would be no hope of survival.

In other words, she had only one month left.

When she walked out of the hospital, her phone vibrated with a new message. It was from Elara.

Elara: Sera, I accidentally stained Julian's trousers. He asked you to bring a clean pair.

A shy emoji followed the suggestive wording. This was not the first time Seraphina had received a message like this.

She did not reply. She put her phone away, her expression numb.

After only a few steps, her phone rang again. This time, it was Julian.

"What are you doing? Didn't you see Elara's message?" he demanded.

"I saw it," she replied evenly.

"Go home, get a clean pair of trousers, and bring them to my office." Julian ended the call without waiting for an answer.

Half an hour later, Seraphina arrived at Croft Holdings.

Julian was not in the CEO's office. His gray trousers lay draped over the sofa.

White stains marked the fabric in harsh contrast. The air carried a faint but unmistakable scent.

Seraphina felt as though something had struck her chest. Her movements turned stiff. She picked up the soiled trousers and placed them carefully into a bag.

The office door opened. Elara walked in with deliberate elegance.

"Sera, you really took your time," she said lightly. "You almost delayed Julian's meeting."

"Good thing I had his spare pair." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Do you know where that spare pair came from?"

Elara smiled and leaned toward Seraphina's ear. "It was the one he left at my place the night of your birthday."

Seraphina's face turned even paler.

Elara's smile grew sweeter. "I sent it to be dry-cleaned," she continued softly, "but just now Julian noticed there was still a lipstick mark on the zipper from that night. He said the cleaners were careless. What do you think, Sera?"

Seraphina's heart trembled violently. "Are you finished?" she asked calmly. "If you are, I am leaving." She turned and walked toward the door.

Out of the corner of her eye, Elara noticed a tall figure standing at the entrance.

Julian had returned from his meeting.

Elara immediately rushed after Seraphina.

"Sera, it was my fault," she said hurriedly. "You can blame me, but please do not blame Julian." A sharp scream cut through the air.

Before Seraphina could understand what was happening, Elara's body slammed heavily into the wall.

Julian witnessed the scene the moment he stepped inside. Rage flared across his face.

He strode forward and pulled Elara into his arms. "Seraphina," he demanded furiously, "what have you done this time?"