As long as he didn't drive her away, as long as she could keep a little time with him, that was already the best outcome for her.
"If you don't mind, I… I can be your companion tonight."
"You really think too highly of yourself. Do you actually believe that just any stray cat or dog can be my companion?"
"Then what do you want?"
"Heh…"
The grip on Elena's jawbone loosened. The next second, the man glanced down at his trousers, then leaned lazily back against the chair, wearing the typical frivolous air of a spoiled young master.
"Come. Please me."
Elena instinctively turned her head away, disbelief sharpening her voice. "Lucian!!"
"Weren't you just saying that you served me so well? That I enjoyed it?" His voice was like poison-laced poppies—deadly, intoxicating. "And you even complained that I put my pants on and pretended not to know you, didn't you?"
"I…"
"Elena, I can't just let that accusation stick without proof. I'll have to make it real. While my pants are still off… show me what you're really capable of."
He knew perfectly well why she had come. He knew she was desperate, frantic for Sean's life, so desperate that she had no choice but to humiliate herself. And yet, he still chose to insult her this way.
She felt wronged, but she didn't dare show it. She could only bite down hard on her lower lip, tasting blood, as her trembling hand slowly reached toward him…
Suddenly, her wrist was seized.
For a heartbeat, she thought he had relented, that he might let her go. She looked up quickly, hope flashing in her eyes.
"Lucian!"
The man's beautiful eyes narrowed, icy coldness extinguishing every trace of warmth. His voice dropped, sinister and bone-chilling.
"Use your mouth."
Her pupils contracted violently. Her fingers curled into fists, her heart pierced with pain. After a long silence, she averted her reddened eyes and whispered hoarsely, "Can we… change places?"
"Elena, you don't have the right to bargain with me. You schemed so hard just to get close to me, wasn't it all for your brother?"
"Ten minutes. I'll give you ten minutes. If you prove you're really that capable, maybe I'll consider saving him."
Lucian's eyes were deep and cold—so deep she couldn't see the bottom.
Her amber eyes grew misty. Biting her lip until it nearly bled, she trembled all over.
"I understand… I'll do whatever you ask."
As long as Sean could survive, she would endure anything.
Anything.
She rose from the sofa, then dropped to her knees before him with a heavy thud.
It's nothing, Elena. You're not a naive little girl anymore.
To adults, this isn't shame—it's just… a kind of game. Yes, that's all it is.
She kept repeating the lie, deceiving herself, until even she almost believed it. Slowly, she lowered her head.
"Elena!!"
Her hair was suddenly yanked, her head wrenched upward in brutal force. Through blurred vision, she saw his face twisted in shadow and fury, his entire being wrapped in suffocating darkness.
Grinding his teeth, he spat out each word as if from the depths of hell.
"How dare you? You actually dare?"
Her scalp burned, tears stung her eyes, but none would fall. She was choking, suffocating in pain.
She didn't even know why he was suddenly so enraged. Was it because she dared to do this? Or because she dared to anger him? She couldn't tell. His temper was terrifying, shifting like storm clouds—unreadable, uncontrollable.
Her voice was raw, thick with suppressed sobs.
"Why are you angry?"
Tilting her neck back, she stubbornly forced the tears to retreat.
"You're the one who said it—if I could prove myself, you'd consider saving Sean."
"Lucian, you knew it. For Sean's life, I wouldn't let even the tiniest chance slip by!"
"I've done everything, I've compromised in every way, but why are you furious again? I just want a little of your bone marrow—just a little! Why won't you give it to me?"
"Yes, I'm unreasonable. Does that satisfy you?" Lucian's rage boiled over. His glare was like a knife, merciless and unforgiving.
"I will not save your brother. Are you satisfied now?"
"Lucian…"
"Ha!" He gave a bitter laugh, throwing her aside and fastening his belt. Rising sharply to his feet, he towered over her.
"Elena, stop wasting your breath. I will never save Sean!"
"You'd do anything for him, say anything. But I won't let you succeed. I want you to watch Sean die in front of your eyes while you can do nothing. I want you to taste the same agony I have tasted!"
He turned to leave, but Elena scrambled forward, clutching his arm desperately.
"Lucian, don't go!"
He looked back, struggling to suppress the disgust twisting his jawline.
"Let go."
"I won't!" she pleaded stubbornly.
His clenched jaw was terrifying.
"Let go of me now. Otherwise—not only will I refuse you my bone marrow, I'll make sure Sean never sees another sunrise. Do you believe me?"
"Lucian…"
"Elena, you know I have the power to do it."
"I'll find Lydia for you!"
Her voice broke, raw with desperation. Finally, tears spilled hot and heavy down her face.
"Lucian, I know you hate me—I hate myself too!"
If she hadn't gone drinking that night five years ago, there never would have been that mistake between them. If not for that night, Lydia wouldn't have left for England, and she wouldn't have vanished there without a trace.
That was why he hated her. That was why he hated her to the bone.
"I'll find Lydia. I promise, I'll bring her back to you. Just… please, save my brother first…"
"Elena, why don't you just die?"
His words were cruel, venomous, absolute. His eyes bloodshot with rage and hatred.
"Why haven't you died yet?"
Her hands slipped from his arm. She stumbled back, two steps, maybe more.
So that was his truth. Deep down, he had always wished her dead.
Ever since Lydia vanished in England.
Even five years later, the moment her name was spoken, he became a beast—violent, uncontrollable.
Through her tears, she could no longer see his face clearly. All she could feel was the weight of his hatred, searing into her like a brand.
Shaking her head, she backed away step by step, until she hit the railing of the terrace—no more room to retreat.
"Lucian… is my death the only way to ease your hatred?"