Outside the hospital ward, Brad looked at her with a mix of concern and cold indifference.

"Didn’t you have three kidneys? Is something wrong with the one you were supposed to donate to Lora? The match is confirmed, so stay in the hospital tonight and be ready for the transplant at any time."

Nikki stared at him in shock, her voice trembling. "Weren’t you the one who was sick back then?"

At the time, she hadn’t felt this crushing disappointment—only worry for his health. That’s why she had rushed to get tested for a donor match.

Brad let out a cold laugh. "If I hadn’t pretended to be sick, would someone as selfish and petty as you have willingly donated your kidney to Lora? If her surgery had been delayed, could you have lived with that guilt?"

He had gripped her wrist so tightly along the way that angry red and purple marks marred her fair skin. But Nikki didn’t even seem to register the pain. She simply stared at Brad’s hardened face.

He was only a few months older than her, yet compared to his composed older brother, Howard, Brad had always been the reckless, impulsive one—like a younger brother trailing after her with unwavering enthusiasm.

He had done everything for her. He had never wanted to see her get hurt, not even a little.

When a boy with a crush on her once tugged at her pigtails, Brad had spun around and beaten him so badly that he ended up disfigured—yet he had still come to Nikki afterward, grinning proudly as if expecting praise.

When she accidentally burned her hand while setting off fireworks one New Year's Eve, he had been more panicked than she was. From that day forward, he never let her light fireworks again. Instead, he held them up for her to watch, staying up all night just so she could enjoy them—every single year.

This same rebellious boy, once so full of passion and sincerity, had deceived her into giving up a kidney with a lie.

And now, he expected her to lie on an operating table again and give up another one.

Maybe everything had gone wrong the moment she had chosen the wrong heart transplant recipient.

Tears blurred Nikki’s vision as a bitter smile formed on her lips. "Three kidneys? How could I possibly have three? Brad, I lied to you to put your mind at ease… and you actually believed it."

Brad narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. "I know you don’t want to donate a kidney to Lora. But don’t forget—her weak health is because of you. You stole her rightful place as the rich family’s daughter, while she suffered outside for years. Don’t you think you should atone for that?"

"I…"

"Enough."

Howard’s voice cut in impatiently as he stepped out of the ward. His tone was deep and authoritative.

"Nikki, isn’t marrying into our family all you want?"

"If you agree to donate another healthy kidney to Lora, Brad and I will attend the wedding in seven days. We won’t embarrass you by not showing up. Satisfied?"

Nikki met his cold gaze, his condescending tone stabbing into her. The memory of her kidney removal surgery six months ago resurfaced—the pain of the incision still lingering in her body.

"I already told you—I’m not marrying either of you. Whether you show up or not, it makes no difference to me."

Howard’s eyes darkened.

At that moment, Lora stirred awake.

The two brothers rushed inside, their voices filled with concern.

"Thank God, Lora, you’re okay."

From inside the room, Brad’s voice carried out loud and clear.

"That fraud is truly unlucky. First, she killed Brother Bray, then she caused you to suffer outside for years, sick and weak. Now, all we’re asking is for her to donate a kidney, yet she dares to use it as leverage to force a marriage…"

The mention of Brother Bray made Nikki’s heart clench violently.

She bit her lip, feeling an icy wetness on her cheeks—tears she hadn’t even realized were falling.

Like a wandering soul, she turned and walked away.

Her phone suddenly rang.

On the other end, a deep, unfamiliar voice spoke.

"I heard you want to marry me."

Nikki immediately recognized who it was. Her body froze for a second before she answered nervously.

"Yes."

The man chuckled, his voice carrying a hint of knowing amusement.

"Weren’t those two so desperate to win your favor before? How quickly their affections have changed…"

Nikki didn’t know what to say. Her palms were slick with sweat, panic creeping through her veins.

The next second, she heard David’s voice, casual yet firm.

"I do."

Then, with a hint of amusement, he added, "But you should’ve heard—I bring bad luck to my wives. I can’t guarantee what might happen if you marry me."

Nikki’s breath hitched. She sniffled and forced a small, bitter smile. "I’m bad luck too. Tough life, unlucky fate… maybe we’re a perfect match."

Silence stretched for a few seconds before David suddenly let out a low, soft chuckle.

"Alright. Wait for me. In seven days, I’ll come back and marry you."

He must have heard the quiet sobs she was trying so hard to suppress. His sigh was barely audible, but when he spoke again, his voice carried a rare warmth—calm, steady, almost reassuring.

"Nikki, don’t cry. From now on, you have me."

The call ended, yet Nikki felt as if she had just woken up from a dream.

She hadn’t expected David to actually agree…

Though his face was nothing but a vague memory now, his deep and clear voice made her wonder—he probably wasn’t that old yet, right?

But it didn’t matter. She had chosen to marry him for one reason only—to protect that heart. She had no other expectations.

Over the years, she had learned the hard way—wishful thinking only led to punishment from fate.

And fate had already punished her until she had nothing left to lose.

With David’s answer, a strange calm settled over Nikki. She focused on preparing for the wedding in seven days.

The Hewitt brothers, as always, expected her to cook their meals. Over the past few days, they kept messaging her, ordering dishes for her to prepare and sending them to the hospital to help Lora recover.

But Nikki never replied. Not once.

They assumed she was just throwing another tantrum—until they heard from others that she was busy preparing for a wedding.

Their reactions were exactly as expected—mockery, laced with disdain.

"So much for saying she wouldn’t marry either of us," Brad scoffed. "Looks like that was just a reverse psychology trick to force a proposal."

Lora forced a delicate smile. "I envy my sister… She had the two of you growing up with her, childhood sweethearts, two little kids playing together. But my body is weak—I probably won’t even be able to attend the wedding."

Brad immediately tried to comfort her. "Who’s even marrying her? Lora, if you’re not going, neither am I. My brother and I will just skip it, let her have the ceremony alone—see how she likes becoming a laughingstock in all of Seattle!"

Howard murmured a few reassuring words to Lora as well, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t shake off what he had overheard at the hospital that day. A nagging unease settled in his chest.

Three days later, a delivery arrived for Nikki—an overwhelming number of gifts, all sent by David, who had yet to return to the country.

There was a one-of-a-kind, custom-made wedding veil. A diamond necklace worth tens of millions. A pair of wedding shoes adorned with real crystal diamonds.

She hadn’t expected him to be so thoughtful. Somehow, her heart felt… a little lighter.

That night, she went to try on the wedding ring David had ordered.

Just then, her phone rang.

It was Howard.

But when she answered, no one spoke. Only the sound of laughter and loud voices filled the line—it was a party.

"Howard won the dare!" someone shouted.

"Drink ten shots or kiss Lora—your choice! Hahaha!"

Nikki could hear Howard’s heavy breathing against the microphone. He sounded a little drunk.

The next second, Lora’s soft, shy voice came through.

"Howard, you can’t drink too much—it’s bad for your heart. Let me drink for you instead… Don’t let them tease me."

Then, it wasn’t Howard’s voice that spoke, but some rich second-generation heir from his circle. His tone was arrogant, dismissive.

"Come to the bar right now. Howard has a stomachache."

For a moment, Nikki’s heart clenched in reflex. She parted her lips, ready to respond—

But the call cut off.

She stood frozen for a long while, staring at the phone. Then, slowly, she curled her lips into a mocking smile.

How many times had this happened before?

How many times had she dropped everything, rushing to him the moment someone called?

Whether it was a business dinner, a late-night party, or just another social gathering, she had always been the one to worry about Howard’s health—more than he ever did himself.

This time, she was determined to break the habit. She wouldn't go there again.

Nikki tried on the ring and went home alone. As she passed by the bar, a group of drunken men blocked her path.

"Well, if it isn’t the fake Bray daughter."

"The Hewitt brothers are throwing a bachelorette party for the real one tonight. Didn’t you know?" One of them sneered. "Since you couldn’t climb your way up to the Hewitt family, why not settle for us instead…?"

They were infamous playboys in the circle. In the past, they wouldn’t have dared to look Nikki in the eye when the Hewitt brothers were around. But now, emboldened by alcohol, their lecherous gazes raked over her as they surrounded her, hands reaching out to grope her.

Nikki frowned, inhaling sharply. She turned to leave, but they forcibly stopped her. Panic surged through her as she struggled, desperately hoping for someone—anyone—to help.

Then, a voice rang out behind her.

"Let her go!"

It was Howard.

Relief flooded Nikki’s face as she looked at him, gratitude in her eyes. But the moment she met his gaze—along with Brad and Lora’s—her heart sank.

There was no concern.

Only disgust.

"Sister," Lora sighed, her delicate features tinged with disappointment. "Even if you can't marry Howard or Brad, you shouldn’t throw yourself at random men..." Her voice was soft, almost pitying. "I may have grown up poor, but even I know that a woman should keep her dignity. Are you really willing to degrade yourself like this—just to retaliate against me? Or is marrying into a wealthy family worth losing all self-respect?"

The tears that had welled in Nikki’s eyes from the earlier assault froze in disbelief. "It wasn’t—"

Brad cut her off with a sneer. "I think she’s just desperate enough to take whatever she can get."

His voice was cold, dripping with disdain. "Nikki, I really misjudged you. For years, you clung to me and my brother, and I could at least respect your persistence. But this?" He let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "You realize you can’t get into the Hewitt family, so you throw yourself at the first pack of dogs you find? When I think of all those years I spent with you as a kid, I feel sick."

Howard stepped forward, his expression unreadable but his tone cutting. "So this is the person who said she wanted to change her marriage partner?" He scoffed. "Lora was right. You really are cheap."

On the crowded street, passersby had already gathered, whispering among themselves, their gazes filled with judgment. The socialites who followed the Hewitt brothers smirked, adding fuel to the fire.

"She really is a disgrace. A fake through and through."

"Acts all innocent on the surface, but flirts with men behind closed doors. Who knows how many people she’s slept with already? She’s nothing compared to Lora!"

For three years, Nikki had fallen from her pedestal, from the life of a wealthy heiress to rock bottom. She had endured countless rumors, endured being looked down upon.

But this—

This was the first time Howard and Brad had humiliated her so openly, without a second thought.

Her lips quivered, but before she could say anything, she met their eyes.

There was no hesitation. No regret. Just sheer contempt, as if she were nothing more than filth beneath their shoes.

It was suffocating.

Her mind reeled back to the past—the laughter, the warmth, the way Howard and Brad had once looked at her with genuine care. But those memories shattered against the harsh reality of the present.

The crowd’s taunts grew louder, their laughter cutting through her like a blade.

And the two men who once meant everything to her stood silently, making no effort to stop it.

Then—something cold from her hand.

The diamond ring.

It landed with a sharp clink, jarring her back to reality.

Right.

The man she was going to marry wasn’t them.

That thought alone was enough to steady her.

Nikki swallowed back her emotions, lowered her gaze, and without a word, turned on her heel. Tears clung to her lashes, but she only let out a cold, bitter smile as she walked away.

Howard’s expression darkened. His brows furrowed as he called after her.

"Don’t you have anything to say?"