Chapter 1
“Riley, I need money.”
With that simple sentence from Asher Blackwell, Riley Hawthorne sold her heart for $800,000.
After three months recovering in a rehabilitation center, she called her mother.
“Mom, I’ve made my decision. Next month I’ll join you and stepdad in Paris.”
There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end. “Really? That’s wonderful, sweetheart! I’ll book your tickets right away. Send me Asher and Vivian’s information too.”
Her mother continued excitedly: “You and Asher have been together for seven years–this is the perfect time to make things official! I know his family’s business collapsed, but don’t worry, I’ll handle all the wedding arrangements. And once you’re married, we can help Vivian find someone perfect too. You two best friends can spend your lives together just like you always
wanted…”
“Mom,” Riley interrupted softly. “I’m coming alone.”
“You don’t want Asher to come? But sweetheart, didn’t you say you’d never marry anyone else? What happened between you
two…”
Her mother’s words were cut off by a black Cullinan pulling up beside Riley.
Asher lowered the window, his elegant features half–hidden in shadow. “We were supposed to pick you up together. Why’d you come out on your own?”
He reached out and affectionately ruffled her hair. “It’s been three months. Did you miss me?”
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Riley’s mouth. Mom, the man I swore to marry was the Asher who once treasured me above all else, not… this con artist who faked bankruptcy to steal my heart.
Riley met Vivian Blackwell in college, and they quickly became inseparable best friends. When visiting Vivian’s home, she caught the eye of Vivian’s arrogant brother Asher.
After two years of persistent pursuit and with Vivian’s enthusiastic help, Riley finally said yes.
During their relationship, the privileged heir washed her feet with his own hands, showered her with designer bags and jewelry, proclaimed his love with grand drone displays, and even founded an orchestra for her with his own money…
Until two years ago, the Blackwell family business collapsed.
To help redeem the company, Riley sold all the gifts the siblings had given her and worked multiple jobs alongside them for two years, but it wasn’t enough.
That day, Asher hid alone in the basement, devastated: “Riley, I need money, but if getting that $800,000 means you trading your heart for it, I’d rather be poor forever!”
Vivian grabbed her hands, nearly falling to her knees: “Please, I’m begging you! If my brother can revive our family business, we’ll get you the healthiest heart transplant possible. But we can’t lose the company–it’s my parents‘ life’s work…”
Riley gently helped Vivian up and nodded. “I’ll do it.”
21-57
Two Chances. One Bullet: How His “Next Life” Promise Failed
56.2%
Chapter 1
Her parents had divorced, and she’d already lost one family, she couldn’t hear to lose her family with Asher and Vivian too
When she received the payment, she snuck out of the rehabilitation center, excited to find Asher, believing their lives could finally get back on track. She’d marry him with her artificial heart, while her real heart would go to someone who needed it–a good deed.
Instead, she overheard Asher talking with his assistant: “Mr. Blackwell, as you instructed, the $800,000 has been transferred to Miss Hawthorne through the private account. It’s completely untraceable.”
Asher’s face was partially obscured by cigarette smoke: “Excellent. Tell the rehab center to use the best imported medications and take perfect care of her. Make sure nothing leaks out.”
Vigan was nearby, playing with a $3 million pearl necklace, adding anxiously: “Riley gets cold easily–make sure she never touches cold water!”
The assistant smiled reassuringly: “Of course, Miss Blackwell. The rehabilitation center is under your name, and all staff are our people. There won’t be any problems.”
Those words cut through Riley like a knife, instantly piercing the cold, empty cavity in her chest.
Vivian’s voice pulled Riley back to reality. She looked concerned: “Riley, what are you doing standing there? Get in the car! You need to be careful with your artificial heart.”
As Riley reached for the door handle, she noticed Nora Sinclair sitting in the passenger seat, smiling and waving: “Long time
no see, Miss Hawthorne.”
Seeing that face made Riley’s skin crawl.
She flipped her hair back, revealing a neck covered in red kiss marks and a winding scar: “I get carsick. You don’t mind if I take the front seat, right? Oh, and thanks for donating a heart to me… your heart works quite well.”
21:57
