Chapter 1

Adeline Shaw was my boss - we lived in completely different worlds. I only caught her attention because her childhood sweetheart needed a blood transfusion after a car accident, and I happened to be a match.

After I saved Bryan Chancer's life that day, Adeline smiled at me softly for the first time. She asked what I wished for, and I told her I wanted to date her.

Still woozy from the blood donation, I'd blurted out what was in my heart while looking at her face.

After a few seconds of silence, she agreed. That relationship lasted three years.

This year, the Shaw family started pressuring her about marriage. To get them off her back, Adeline agreed to get engaged to me.

I knew it was just for show, but then Bryan had to collapse at the worst possible moment.

I grabbed Adeline's arm. "Don't go. The hospital has doctors. What about our engagement party? You can't just leave!"

"Henry Scott, stop being so selfish," she snapped. "Being engaged to me is already more luck than you deserve in this lifetime. Don't push for more!"

She yanked free and ran out. My grandmother hurried after her.

"Adeline, please! Just finish the ceremony first!"

I froze for a moment, then heard screams from outside, "Someone's been hit!"

By the time I rushed out, Adeline's car was long gone. My grandmother was lying in a pool of blood, surrounded by a crowd.

I completely broke down. Everything went silent - all I could see was my grandmother's motionless body. Someone pushed me into the ambulance when it arrived.

"We're sorry for your loss. We did everything we could."

The doctor's words echoed as I sat in the hallway, death certificate clutched in my hands, completely numb.

A harsh ringtone snapped me back to reality.

It was Adeline, barking orders. "Henry, where are you? Get to the hospital now. Bryan needs your blood!"

Rage surged through me. "Go to hell! We're done, Adeline. Don't you dare come crawling back!"

There was a pause on the other end, then her voice turned icy. "Well, Henry, look who found their backbone! It's just an engagement - Bryan's dying!"

"Then let him die! Always sick and weak. He’s just wasting food while he's alive and wasting space when he's dead!"

I hung up and went to the police station.

The family of the driver who hit my grandmother begged for forgiveness. I refused.

But the real culprits were Adeline and Bryan - those two lunatics. What was I thinking, getting tangled up with her?

I knew about their decade-long relationship but refused to accept it. Now I was paying the price.

Grandma, I'm so sorry. I regret everything.

Just as I was getting up to arrange the funeral, Adeline appeared with her security team.

"Henry Scott!"

"Stop him!"

I ran, calling the police as I went. All Adeline's money couldn't put her above the law.

I wouldn't give blood, and there was nothing she could do about it.

So what if I had rare blood type? I wasn't the only one in the world with it.

Alright, Adeline, let's see if your precious childhood sweetheart survives without my help!

But before I could reach the hospital exit, someone tackled me to the ground.

Her security team pinned me down.

"Where do you think you're going, punk?"

"You should be honored to give blood to Mr. Chancer. Show some respect!"

Unable to break free, I shouted, "I refuse! You can't ignore the law! Let me go!"

"Adeline Shaw, this is illegal!"