The nurse chimed in quickly, "Exactly. You're lucky that handsome gentleman grabbed the knife in time. Otherwise, you'd be more than just scratched."
She added, almost casually, "But really… why try to kill yourself? Don't you know people who commit suicide go to hell?"
Elena let out a bitter smile. Isn't this already hell?
Enduring the ache in her chest, she wiped her tears away and whispered, "I want to see him. Could you… call that gentleman for me?"
The nurse blinked. "He's not your friend?"
Elena shook her head. After a pause, the nurse said, "Well, his assistant left a number. I'll give it a try."
"Looking for me?"
When Lucian stepped into the room, Elena was staring blankly at the storm-gray sky outside.
At the sound of his voice, her lashes trembled, and she slowly turned.
He stood tall by her bed, sharp in his tailored suit, every line of him screaming wealth and power. His eyes, though, were carved from ice.
"Lucian," she said softly. "Before I blacked out, you told me that if I died, you'd stop Sean's treatments and let him follow me to hell. But I'm alive…"
Her gaze lifted, meeting his. "So will you let Sean live, too?"
Lucian's brow furrowed.
"Lucas."
His assistant entered, immaculate in his suit, holding a folder. He set it before her.
"Miss Sung, this is an agreement drafted by our lawyers. If you'll sign, Sean's future will be secured."
The meaning was clear. Sign, and Sean would live.
Elena snatched up the pen without hesitation—until her eyes caught the title. Her hand froze.
A marriage contract? With Lucian?
"W-why?"
His expression darkened at her hesitation. "I hate women who ask too many questions. Sign."
Her lips trembled. She said nothing.
His long, pale fingers tapped twice on the signature line, his voice low and merciless. "Now."
She couldn't believe it. He despised her. He loathed her. And yet, he wanted marriage as the price for saving Sean? What good could this possibly bring him?
But she didn't dare ask. What if one more word made him change his mind?
She'd risked death to save her brother. What was marriage compared to that?
Her hand shook violently as she scrawled her name, the ink jagged and broken like the scratches of an insect. The more she had once dreamed of marrying Lucian, the more she feared it now.
Because between them, there would always be Lydia.
Everyone in Southville knew. Lydia had been Lucian's girlfriend. His treasure, his obsession, the woman he would've brought down the stars for.
And Lydia had been Elena's closest friend.
Lucian and Elena had once been neighbors. She'd seen their love firsthand. And she was the reason it had all shattered. Lydia disappeared in England, and now Lucian was marrying her?
It was wrong. Twisted. Terrifying.
Her lips trembled. "After we marry… will you hit me?"
He stilled. His gaze swept her face—pale, fragile, trembling. A shadow flickered in his dark eyes before vanishing.
"Who knows?"
Her eyes stung. She brushed her hair aside, voice small and pitiful.
"If you do… could you at least go easy on me?"
He let out a sharp laugh.
The harsh hospital light revealed the disdain carved on his face. "Elena, do you really think you're in any position to bargain with me?"
"Five years ago, when you took the money and ran, I told you—never show your face to me again. But here you are, throwing yourself at me."
"If you dare come near me, you'd better be ready for the consequences. So don't talk about bargaining. Even if I beat you half-dead, you'll take it and thank me."
He snapped the folder shut with a brutal thud, turned, and strode toward the door.
"Lucian!"
Her voice cracked. Eyes red, she cried out, "If you hate me this much, why save me at all? Why not let me die?"
He stopped. Turned. His handsome face was carved with shadows, cruel and venomous.
"Because death is too easy. Too merciful. I want you alive, Elena. I want you to suffer. Every day of your life will be agony until you beg for death—and still, I won't let you go."
His words struck like lightning, splitting her chest wide open.
So that was it. That was why he saved her. Why he demanded marriage.
The man she had loved her whole life was nothing but ice.
She sat motionless on the bed, her body stiff and cold, as though her soul had already left. Pain raged through her, tearing her apart piece by piece.
It's fine, Elena. Sean will live. That's what matters. Compared to his life, your pain is nothing. You can endure it. You must.
But it hurt. God, it hurt. So much she wished she could claw her own heart out.
Outside, Lucian clenched the folder in a bloodied hand. His palm, already scabbed from the knife wound, split open again, blood dripping steadily onto the marble floor.
"Mr. Sterling…" Lucas began, voice tight with concern.
One lethal glare silenced him instantly.
Lucian stormed out without another word.
Lucas glanced between the closed hospital door and his employer's retreating back. He sighed, shaking his head as he followed.
Five years at Lucian Sterling's side, and he thought he understood the man. Tonight, he realized he knew nothing at all.