I was born with two hearts—one of which my father sold to a company in Hewcroft that researches organs, for ten million dollars.
It was Stefan Slade who returned to Cendria to save me. He gave up his overseas business and stayed with me, doing almost everything I asked.
For ten years, I truly believed he loved me, just as the rest of the world seemed to think.
Then, on my birthday, I overheard him talking to his friends. "After keeping Nadine for so long, it's finally time to take that heart. Jaylene is still waiting, you know."
So that was it. Just like everyone else, he’d gotten close to me for my organ.
I smiled bitterly, blew out the candles and made a wish; to leave the Slade Family for good.
——
When Stefan came out of the study, I had already finished the birthday cake on my own.
He sat across from me, a hint of guilt in his eyes.
"Nadine, my friend and I had something urgent to handle. I'm sorry for missing your birthday," he said.
As he spoke, he pulled out a small, delicate box as if by magic and handed it to me. Inside was a diamond bracelet, one of only a few in the world, worth millions.
I had seen it on TV a few days ago and lingered on it longer than I should have. I hadn’t expected Stefan to notice.
He was ten years older than me, always more composed, more thoughtful. Especially when it came to these small surprise gifts that used to make me so happy.
Before, I would’ve jumped up with joy. But now, after what I heard… my heart felt hollow.
Stefan had always been kind to me, but only because of that heart. His loyalty wasn’t to me; it was to somebody else.
I folded my hands around the bracelet and said, almost blandly, “Thank you. It’s lovely.”
He blinked, caught off guard by my cool reaction, then smoothed his smile and got down to business.
“Nadine, a friend of mine is coming from overseas in a few days. She’s… not well. I need you to look after her.”
I leaned back, arching an eyebrow. “And this guest… male or female?”
His answer was immediate. “Female.”
I nodded, a bit stiffly, then said, “So you want me to take care of her? What am I? Your friend’s daughter, your girlfriend, or your mistress?”
“Nadine!” His voice cracked and his polite veneer slipped. “Stop. I won’t have you degrade yourself with that word. Mistress is—”
“—exactly what it looks like,” I cut in, heart thudding. “You won’t claim me as yours, but you still take me to bed. If I’m not your mistress, what am I?”
He pressed his lips into a thin line, eyes flashing. “Don’t ever bring that up again.”
Stefan wasn’t one to lose his temper, but every time I mentioned it, something in him snapped.
I was a blemish on his perfect life, something he couldn’t admit out loud.
My throat tightened, but I forced myself to speak. “I want to leave. I’m done staying here.”
Stefan's brows drew together sharply. “Leave? Go where?
“Nadine, I saved your life. The moment you step out of the Slade Family, you’ll have a hundred eyes on you. Do you really think you’ll make it?”
I dropped my gaze, hiding the sting in my eyes. “I’ll manage. I’ll keep a low profile. And if that fails… I’ll go back to my father.”
Then came Stefan’s voice, cold and laced with ridicule.
