Chapter 1

I'm dying.

To live a few more days, I chose to sell my body for money to buy medicine.

"As long as you pay, I'm yours tonight."

I sneaked into a fancy gala, searching for a long time until I found a bald man who seemed interested in buying me.

His greasy hand slid down my waist. "If you want money, you've got to show some sincerity, right?"

I stood on my tiptoes, closed my eyes, and leaned toward his oily, shiny mouth.

Just one kiss, and I'd get the money for medicine. It would keep my artificial heart running a little longer.

Right as our lips were about to touch, a sharp tug gripped the back of my neck. A powerful force yanked me backward.

With a loud "thud," I crashed into a hard chest.

It was Michael Johnson.

I heard his strong, steady heartbeat.

That was my heart.

It was beating so well inside him.

"Amelia, you disgust me."

Michael's voice was cold, like it had been dipped in ice. He looked at me with pure hatred, as if I were a pile of trash.

The bald guy, seeing that Michael knew me, turned pale with fear and scrambled into the crowd.

The money I desperately needed slipped away.

The metal device in my chest seemed to protest, twisting painfully. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

I steadied myself, swallowed the metallic taste in my throat, and looked up into Michael's fiery, raging eyes.

"Mr. Johnson, you scared off my client. Are you planning to cover the cost for me?"

The disgust in Michael's eyes deepened. His fingers tightened on my chin. "It's only been a year since you left me, and you're already this desperate? Any man will do?"

"Yeah, I'm broke," I said with a smile, my fingertips teasingly brushing over his chest. "If Mr. Johnson is interested, for the sake of the three years we spent in bed together, I'll give you a 20% discount. How about it?"

Michael reacted as if he'd touched something filthy, shoving me away.

I stumbled a couple of steps, barely regaining my balance when a soft, delicate voice interrupted.

"Amelia? What are you doing in a place like this…?"

Elizabeth Martinez approached slowly. Her gaze swept over me, and her eyes instantly turned red. "Amelia, don't degrade yourself like this. If you just apologize to Mom and Dad and show some humility, they'll forgive you."

Apologize? Forgive?

Memories of the three years I spent back with the Martinez family flashed through my mind, and I couldn't help but scoff.

"If you feel so bad for me, Elizabeth, why don't you help me ask Mr. Johnson for help?"

My eyes darted between the two of them, my tone flippant. "Or how about both of you together? I've never tried a threesome, but if it's with Elizabeth, I don't mind."

"But it'll cost extra, of course."

"Amelia!"

Michael exploded with anger, the veins on his forehead bulging.

"You want money, huh? Fine, I'll give it to you!"

He yanked out his wallet, pulled out a thick stack of cash, and slammed it into my face.

Green bills fluttered everywhere, one of them grazing the corner of my eye.

It stung.

Michael's eyes were bloodshot. He randomly pointed at a waiter in the corner.

"Since you're so cheap, so shameless, do it right here in front of everyone. Give that guy a blowjob! If you do it, all this money is yours!"

The entire banquet hall fell silent.

Everyone stared at me in shock, waiting for my reaction.

"Mr. Johnson, do you keep your word?"

With this money, I could live a few more days.

In the face of death, what's dignity worth?

Under everyone's stunned gazes, I walked toward the waiter.

The poor guy was so scared his tray was shaking. He tried to run, but Michael's bodyguard held him in place.

I reached him and slowly crouched down.

At eye level was the zipper of his suit pants.

"Help me out. It'll be quick," I said with a smile to the terrified boy, my trembling fingers reaching for the cold metal zipper.

"Zzz—"

The sound of the zipper sliding down pierced the silent hall.

If he wants to see me stoop low, I'll show him low.

A powerful grip suddenly seized my wrist, nearly crushing my bones.

I looked up into Michael's blood-red eyes, burning with fury.

"Amelia, you actually dared!"

He gritted his teeth. The next second, he shoved Elizabeth aside, grabbed me like I was nothing, hauling me upstairs toward the guest room.

"Michael!" Elizabeth cried out behind us.

Michael ignored her. He moved so fast I stumbled after him, losing one of my high heels. My bare foot pressed against the cold marble floor, sending sharp pain through me.

The suite door was kicked open.

I was flung onto the bed. Before I could get up, his heavy body pinned me down, his anger crashing over me like a storm.

"You want to sell yourself, huh? I'll make it happen!"