Chapter 5 Marry Me

Astrid was stunned; the man smelled so good that she couldn’t help but inhale deeply. *Gosh, he smells of saffron and bergamot,* she thought, her senses momentarily overwhelmed. She was mesmerized by his striking features.  

She looked up at him, meeting his cold, detached eyes. He looked as though he had stepped out of a timeless painting, too perfect to belong to the real world.  

“What a fucking handsome dude,” she almost said aloud but managed to catch herself just in time.  

The man, meanwhile, seemed equally taken aback. The woman in his arms was stunning. Her piercing blue eyes held a depth that stirred something unfamiliar in him—an inexplicable urge to protect her.  

But the moment quickly shattered. Snapping back to reality, his expression hardened, and he pushed her away abruptly.  

Astrid staggered but caught herself. She hadn’t expected this sudden rejection and felt her already weak body wobble. “If you didn’t want to save me, you should’ve just let me fall,” she muttered, her expression was full of irritation.   

Krax narrowed his eyes, his tone icy. “Woman, you should know when to say thank you.”  

Astrid rolled her eyes, her head too heavy for further arguments. Why should I thank him? He almost let me fall. Instead, she said softly, “I’m sorry,” her voice was weak as all her strength has been exhausted as she turned and continued walking.  

Krax hummed in disdain. “What an uncultured person,” he muttered under his breath, his gaze following her unsteady steps.  

As Astrid moved further away, her vision became blur, and her head grew heavy. Before she could take another step, her knees became weak and fell.  Astrid collapsed.  

Krax’s sharp eyes caught the fall instantly. Without hesitation, he rushed forward and scooped her into his arms, carrying her back into the hospital.  

The doctor examined her quickly before speaking. “She just had an abortion. She needs some rest,” he said, his voice measured but concerned.  

“She had an abortion?” Krax asked flatly, his expression unreadable.  

The doctor nodded. “Yes, some men in black brought her here a few days ago. After the procedure, they left her.”  

Krax’s brow furrowed as he fell into deep thought. Who is she?

Turning back to the doctor, his voice dropped to an icy command. “Ensure she is fine. If anything happens to her, your hospital will be shut down.”  

The doctor stiffened under the weight of his words and nodded quickly, his face pale.  

Once outside the ward, Krax pulled out his phone and dialed a number.  

“Leonard,” he said curtly. “Look into the woman we brought to the hospital three days ago. She’s still admitted here. Make sure she’s being well cared for.” Without waiting for a reply, he ended the call and walked toward the immunology department.  

…….

Inside the office, a young doctor sat at his desk, frowning as he flipped through a file.  

A knock interrupted his concentration. “Come in,” he called out.  

The door opened, and Krax entered. The doctor looked up, his serious expression shifting to a grin. “Well, well, the great Krax finally decides to visit. To what do I owe this honor?”  

Krax ignored the humor, taking a seat and folding his arms. “I have a problem,” he said bluntly.  

The doctor chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “What kind of problem could possibly trouble you?”  

“I met a woman earlier,” Krax began, his tone clipped. “She was about to fall, and I caught her. I didn’t feel any discomfort.”  

The doctor froze, his mouth slightly open. “You helped a woman?” he repeated, incredulous. “Why?”  

Krax’s gaze turned colder. “Does that matter?”  

“Of course it does,” the doctor replied, now more serious. “I need to understand why you did it. It might give us a lead on your condition.”  

Krax clenched his jaw. “I don’t know why I helped her. It just happened.”  

The doctor’s smile returned, this time tinged with curiosity. He rested his chin on his hands, studying Krax intently.  

Feeling scrutinized, Krax leaned forward, his voice low and threatening. “Alaric Bryan, do you want to keep your eyes?”  

Alaric flinched, holding up his hands defensively. “Relax! I’m just saying—it’s interesting. Maybe you’ve fallen for her at first sight.”  

Krax immediately dismissed the idea, his tone harsh. “That’s absurd. There’s no way I’d fall for a pathetic girl like her.”  

Alaric smirked knowingly. “Then maybe she’s the key to curing you. Ever think of that?”  

Krax stared at him, his mind racing. “There’s no other way?”  

“None, since she is the only woman you can get close to,” Alaric replied simply.  

Krax stood without another word and left the office, his thoughts a tangled mess.  

Alaric watched him go, shaking his head with a smirk. “Interesting days ahead,” he murmured.  

Krax made his way back to Astrid’s ward, still pondering his inexplicable actions. When he entered, he found her asleep. He stepped closer, studying her features with a mix of curiosity and frustration.  

A notification message appeared on his phone display, snapping him out of his thoughts. Checking the message, he smirked before slipping the phone back into his pocket.  

Astrid slowly  woke up, wincing as she held her head. Looking around, her eyes landed on Krax. She froze, her hand instinctively moving to her chest.  

“Must you scare me like that?” she snapped, her voice sharp despite her weakness.  

Krax leaned in, his face now inches from hers. His breath brushed her skin, sending an involuntary shiver through her.  

“Marry me,” he said, his tone calm but firm, as though he were stating a simple fact.  

Astrid blinked, her heart pounding. “Are you out of your mind?” she asked, incredulous.  

“I need something from you. You need something from me. A simple arrangement,” Krax replied, his cold eyes unflinching. “It’s not about love.”  

“Who are you?” Astrid asked warily, her voice low.  

“You’ll know soon enough,” Krax said. “I can give you money and power. You’ll need them for revenge.”  

Astrid froze, his words striking a nerve. Revenge.

Her mind raced. She had no family left to turn to, no safety net, no one to help her. She had nothing but the bitterness of betrayal.  

“Money and power,” she repeated, her voice hollow. A twisted laugh escaped her lips. She’d already lost so much. What was one more sacrifice?  

Looking up, she met his piercing gaze. He wasn’t offering affection—just a deal. And revenge... revenge could be hers.  

“Alright,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll accept your offer.”  

Her hands clenched the bedcovers tightly as cold resolve settled in her chest. Eira, Riven... just wait for me. I’ll make you wish for death.