Chapter 6
When Elizabeth lost consciousness from blood loss, it was as if Kaiden’s entire world shattered in an instant.
He changed her dressings himself, wrapping layer–after layer of gauze, but nothing could staunch the panic gnawing at his heart.
He ordered the strongest blood–replenishing medicine and personally prepared it for her.
But Elizabeth remained unconscious, unable to swallow any of it, so he held the medicine in his mouth, leaning down to pass it to her little by little. The bitter taste lingered on his lips, but all he could taste was the sour ache of regret.
At last, Elizabeth woke up. But by some cruel twist of fate, Natasha fell gravely ill at the very same moment.
Kaiden stood outside the intensive care unit, the doctor’s words echoing in his ears.
“If we don’t have a blood donor, Ms. Natasha won’t survive another two hours.”
His hands clenched into fists, nails digging so deep into his palms they threatened to draw blood.
Three days ago, when Elizabeth had passed out from blood loss in his arms, he’d sworn never to hurt her again.
But now, he was about to hurt her with his own hands once more.
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Chapter 6
Vischers
“But it’s all because she tried to harm Natasha,” he told himself.
Yet as he pushed open Elizabeth’s hospital room door, his heart wrenched painfully in his chest. Sunlight filtered through her hospital gown, tracing the outline of her frail body.
The hair she once took such pride in now hung limp and lifeless against her shoulders.
“Eliza.” Kaiden’s voice was raw and rasping.
Elizabeth didn’t turn around. She simply stroked the potted plant on the windowsill–the one Kaiden had placed there himself on the day she was admitted, saying her favorite flowers would help her heal faster.
Summoning all his courage, Kaiden strode forward, closed his eyes, and seized her wrist.
“Eliza, Tasha is dying. You have to save her!”
Elizabeth finally turned, a faint, mocking smile flickering across her pale face. “And why should I?”
“Because you owe her your life. I thought you truly wanted to apologize to Tasha before, but it turns out you just wanted to push the blame onto her! You curse her like this–aren’t you afraid it’ll come back to bite you?!”
Elizabeth’s lips curled in scorn. She knew Natasha was pulling the same tricks again.
But what could she do? Kaiden would only ever believe his precious Tasha. He would never believe Eliza again.
Kaiden’s words grew sharper, his tone more cutting.
“If you don’t save Tasha, she really will die. And if that happens, I’ll call
Chapter 6
off the engagement on the grounds of your lack of virtue and attempted harm to a relative.”
As he spoke, he reached out to touch Elizabeth’s face, his thumb brushing her cold cheek, just as he’d done countless times before.
“Eliza, don’t force me. You know I don’t want things to end like this. Cooperate, and I’ll make it up to you. I’ll treat you twice as well in the future…”
Elizabeth turned her head slightly, evading his touch.
“The engagement?” She let out a soft laugh. “Didn’t I already tear up that
contract?”
He suddenly gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
“Elizabeth, the engagement I wrote was a life–or–death pact. You think tearing up a piece of paper can free you from me? Dream on. Unless I break it off myself, as long as you’re alive, you’ll always be my fiancée. Now, give me your cardiac blood.”
He’d meant for his words to sound harsh, planning to make it up to her later. But Elizabeth’s reply sent his frantic heart plummeting into despair.
“And what if I refuse?” Elizabeth stared straight into his eyes, her gaze bottomless.
Kaiden let out a cold, humorless laugh–a sound that made even the nurses at the door shiver.
He released her, slowly straightening his sleeves with deliberate calm.
“If you really want to watch Tasha die before your eyes, don’t blame me for… using more extreme measures.”
Chapter 6
The nurses, trembling, wheeled in a medical cart, restraints and blood collection equipment laid out in plain view.
“Tie her down,” Kaiden ordered coldly.
Chapter 7
