In fact, the rumors were not accurate.

I never wanted to marry Joshua.

From the beginning, all I needed was money, enough for a heart transplant surgery, that was, five hundred thousand dollars.

This sum of money was beyond reach for me, but it was nothing to the House family.

At first, I asked for help in a proper way.

Back then, the one I asked for help was Alice House, my adoptive mother.

Because when she adopted me, she kept telling me to treat her as my biological mother and to come to her for help whenever I needed it, assuring me that she would certainly assist me.

So, when the orphanage director called to tell me that Benjamin's condition had deteriorated and he needed a heart transplant as soon as possible, I did not hesitate to borrow money from Alice.

But before I could even explain why I needed the money, she interrupted me carelessly, "Wild children are always greedy and always want more. With a good life, you start thinking about money right away, asking for five hundred thousand dollars at a stretch. You say you want to borrow it. But do you think you can repay it? Maybe you'll even ask me to arrange a good job for you later on, and then you'll be able to repay the money? You've got quite a plan."

That day, my face turned red, and I wanted to explain, "I'm borrowing money because..."

"Because of what? Do you have any expenses that require five hundred thousand dollars? Don't make excuses! Even if you really have a use for it, I'm under no obligation to give it to you!"

I couldn't understand how the gentle lady who had said she took a liking to me at first sight and wanted to raise me as her most precious daughter at the orphanage could suddenly be so harsh.

She refused to help me, and I knew I had no reason to blame her.

She had money, but it didn't mean she had to help me. However, the fact that I was unable to seek help from Alice left me very desperate.

When I discovered that Joshua was particularly generous to his girlfriends, handing out tens of thousands of dollars in gifts and money at a whim, I was disgustingly tempted.

When he got tired of his previous girlfriend but still gave the girl a million-dollar check as a breakup fee, I could no longer resist the temptation.

I knew I shouldn't have set my sights on him.

The House couple had taken me in and provided for my living and education. It was both shameless and ungrateful of me to intentionally seduce their son and my nominal brother.

But when someone is truly desperate, one forgets all about propriety and morality.

Joshua blew smoke rings in my face, and I was suddenly pulled back into my thoughts.

My hands trembled as I untied the straps of my dress and underwear from my shoulders one by one.

"Whatever you like, I'll do it..."

Joshua's office walls were made of glass.

There were some stripes blocking visibility, but if you looked closely, you could see everything clearly.

He was the president, and ordinary employees dared not loiter near his door. But there was always someone passing by.

Joshua was trying to intimidate me with this.

However, I didn't mind. Because in this circle, I no longer had any reputation or dignity left, and I wasn't afraid of adding another joke.

"Josh, Beckie is ready..."

I uttered a low moan in the voice he loved to hear. One hand pressed against the belt at his waist, and the other grabbed the hem of my dress and pulled it down abruptly.

"You're crazy!"

Joshua quickly turned over and pinned me down on the sofa, his broad shoulders covering me tightly.

His face was livid, his eyes sharp as knives, looking as if he wanted to stab me to death.

"Is that man so important to you? Worth sacrificing yourself for him?!"

Of course, Benjamin was the most important person in my life.

We grew up together since childhood. We were truly childhood sweethearts.

When I was young, I was bullied by the older kids at the orphanage, and every time, it was Benjamin who stood in front of me to protect me.

Whenever there was extra food, Benjamin would pretend he didn't like it and give his share to me.

When I was studying without focus, he would shake his head in helplessness while helping me review.

In the winter of my fourteenth year, I mischievously went ice-skating on the river but accidentally fell into the water. Without hesitation, he grabbed my hand and struggled to pull me out.

Without him, perhaps I wouldn't be in this world today.

Ben gave me peace and happiness throughout my childhood.

He was such a good man, but fate did not treat him kindly by giving him a healthy body.

He was born with congenital heart disease and was abandoned.

If there were any hope to save him, I would do anything, even sacrifice my dignity, to make it happen.