I was born with two hearts—one of which my father sold to a company in Hewcroft that researches organs, for ten million dollars.

It was Stefan Slade who returned to Cendria to save me. He gave up his overseas business and stayed with me, doing almost everything I asked.

For ten years, I truly believed he loved me, just as the rest of the world seemed to think.

Then, on my birthday, I overheard him talking to his friends. "After keeping Nadine for so long, it's finally time to take that heart. Jaylene is still waiting, you know."

So that was it. Just like everyone else, he’d gotten close to me for my organ.

I smiled bitterly, blew out the candles and made a wish; to leave the Slade Family for good.

——

When Stefan came out of the study, I had already finished the birthday cake on my own.

He sat across from me, a hint of guilt in his eyes.

"Nadine, my friend and I had something urgent to handle. I'm sorry for missing your birthday," he said.

As he spoke, he pulled out a small, delicate box as if by magic and handed it to me. Inside was a diamond bracelet, one of only a few in the world, worth millions.

I had seen it on TV a few days ago and lingered on it longer than I should have. I hadn’t expected Stefan to notice.

He was ten years older than me, always more composed, more thoughtful. Especially when it came to these small surprise gifts that used to make me so happy.

Before, I would’ve jumped up with joy. But now, after what I heard… my heart felt hollow.

Stefan had always been kind to me, but only because of that heart. His loyalty wasn’t to me; it was to somebody else.

I folded my hands around the bracelet and said, almost blandly, “Thank you. It’s lovely.”

He blinked, caught off guard by my cool reaction, then smoothed his smile and got down to business.

“Nadine, a friend of mine is coming from overseas in a few days. She’s… not well. I need you to look after her.”

I leaned back, arching an eyebrow. “And this guest… male or female?”

His answer was immediate. “Female.”

I nodded, a bit stiffly, then said, “So you want me to take care of her? What am I? Your friend’s daughter, your girlfriend, or your mistress?”

“Nadine!” His voice cracked and his polite veneer slipped. “Stop. I won’t have you degrade yourself with that word. Mistress is—”

“—exactly what it looks like,” I cut in, heart thudding. “You won’t claim me as yours, but you still take me to bed. If I’m not your mistress, what am I?”

He pressed his lips into a thin line, eyes flashing. “Don’t ever bring that up again.”

Stefan wasn’t one to lose his temper, but every time I mentioned it, something in him snapped.

I was a blemish on his perfect life, something he couldn’t admit out loud.

My throat tightened, but I forced myself to speak. “I want to leave. I’m done staying here.”

Stefan's brows drew together sharply. “Leave? Go where?

“Nadine, I saved your life. The moment you step out of the Slade Family, you’ll have a hundred eyes on you. Do you really think you’ll make it?”

I dropped my gaze, hiding the sting in my eyes. “I’ll manage. I’ll keep a low profile. And if that fails… I’ll go back to my father.”

Then came Stefan’s voice, cold and laced with ridicule.

"Your father? That bastard sold you for ten million after going bankrupt. Don’t tell me you forgot. Who saved you, huh?"

I froze. My entire body stiffened. That one sentence cut deeper than anything else he could’ve said.

Ten years and yet, the pain was still fresh.

I could pretend it didn’t affect me, as long as no one brought it up. But Stefan’s voice, so casual, so cruel, made it all come crashing down.

He knew how much it destroyed me. And still, he said it. Just to make a point.

I shot up from my seat, ready to walk away. But before I could take a step, he yanked my wrist and forced me back down.

His fingers were cold as he picked up the diamond bracelet and clipped it around my wrist like it meant something.

Then he barked at the servants, “Keep an eye on Nadine. She’s not going anywhere. Jaylene’s arriving in two days, I don’t want any screw-ups.”

I was trapped, literally.

Servants kept me under surveillance like I was some fragile object. The guards at the door sealed the deal, there was no way out.

I didn’t see much of Stefan. He was always gone.

When he did show up, he barely looked at me. And when he did, it was quick, like even looking at me was a burden.

Then, on the third day, he brought her home. I was reading on the sofa when he walked in with a woman at his side.

He gave her a gentle smile. “Jaylene, meet Nadine, my friend’s daughter.”

Stefan glanced at me again, his voice sharper. “This is Jaylene. She saved my life abroad. Be kind to her, treat her like a sister.”

I met her eyes, sensing the coldness behind her smile. Her bracelet gleamed, clearly more expensive than mine.

I looked away and kept my tone neutral. “I’m an only child. I’ve never had a sister.”

Stefan’s expression instantly tightened, but before he could say anything, Jaylene gave a sweet laugh. “Oh, Nadine, right? Then I’ll be your first sister.”

She walked over, undoing her bracelet. “Stefan gave me this, but I found it too plain, so I didn’t wear it.”

Then, Jaylene added, “I didn’t think he’d hand it off to you. But, this one I’m wearing is a newer model, you can keep it.”

I frowned, confused by her sudden generosity.

Just as I tried to pull my hand away, both bracelets broke apart. Diamonds spilled onto the floor with a loud clatter. Jaylene’s hand froze midair.

Then her face changed. Her eyes welled up as she whispered, “Nadine… How could you? This was a gift from Stefan… If you didn’t want it, you could’ve said so. Why destroy them both?”

I stared at her in disbelief, then it clicked. She had planned this all along.

But just as I was about to expose her, she suddenly clutched her chest and started gasping for breath.

Stefan’s expression changed. He rushed over to support her, his voice full of concern. “Jaylene, what’s wrong? Is your heart acting up again?”

I frowned and tugged at his sleeve. “Don’t fall for it, she is faking it!”

Before I could finish, Stefan turned and slapped me across the face.

His eyes burned with anger. “Nadine, in ten years, this is the first time I’ve ever raised a hand to you.”

“You’re out of line! Jaylene didn’t even do any harm and what did you do? You actually broke the bracelet! Have I been to kind that you’ve lost all sense of boundaries?” he said sharply.

I stood there, stunned, my hand covering the stinging side of my face.

A thousand words caught in my throat, but in the end, I only managed to say through tears, “So you trust her, not me?”

Stefan’s expression turned cold. “I trust what I see with my own eyes.”

***

Stefan left with Jaylene, heading to his private hospital.

Maisie Weller, the head maid, quietly applied ointment to my cheek. Her voice was low and apologetic. “Miss Nadine, I actually saw what happened earlier. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything to Mr. Slade…”

She hesitated. “But Jaylene is clearly the one he treasures most. I didn’t dare speak up.”

I forced a bitter smile. “I don’t blame you. Even if you had, it wouldn’t change anything. He already said it, he only trusts what he sees.”

Maisie sighed and fell silent. The villa was oppressively quiet, every second dragging on.

After the medicine was applied, I felt like I couldn’t breathe and needed fresh air, even just for a moment.

But the bodyguard at the door blocked my path. “Mr. Slade said you’re not allowed to leave.”

“I just want to stand in the yard for a bit…” I pleaded.

“Miss Ashby, without Mr. Slade’s permission, you can’t step out of this house.”

His firm tone left no room for argument. A deep wave of helplessness washed over me. My chest tightened with grief and frustration.

I bit back my tears and raised my voice. “Why is Stefan locking me up? I just want to go out!”

As I spoke, I shoved the bodyguard aside and made for the door, but before I could reach it, he grabbed a fistful of my hair from behind.

Pain shot through my scalp. I was yanked backward and crashed to the floor.

Just then, the villa door swung open. Stefan stood there.

Our eyes locked. His expression froze; shock, then pain.

My lips trembled, heavy with hurt, but I stayed where I was, letting the bodyguard drag me without resistance.

Stefan’s gaze turned icy. “Let go of Nadine. Who gave you permission to touch her?”

The bodyguard flinched and let go immediately, then reached out to help me up.

I didn’t hesitate. I threw myself into Stefan’s arms like someone drowning.

“Stefan, please,” I pleaded, choking back sobs. “Leave Jaylene. What happened abroad is over. Life is too short. Let’s start again, please don’t…”

“Nadine.” His voice cut through like ice. “There’s ten years between us. What happened before, it was a mistake. You should forget it.”

I froze, stunned. The words hit me like a slap. I stared blankly, then slowly let go of his sleeve.

But just as my hand dropped, Stefan grabbed it again.

His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “I’m taking you to the hospital for a physical.”

A cold sweat broke out on my back.

I had heard what he and his friend said. This wasn’t just a check-up. They were planning something horrifying, maybe even taking my heart while I was still alive.

I shook my head frantically and bolted for the door.

But before I could escape, a bodyguard caught up to me and struck the back of my neck hard. My vision went black and I collapsed on the floor.

When I woke up, I was already lying in a hospital bed. The room was eerily quiet, except for the low hum of machines. Stefan and Jaylene stood at the foot of the bed, watching me.

The moment I opened my eyes, a group of doctors immediately closed in, checking my vitals and murmuring medical terms I couldn’t follow.