Everyone around them knew Luciana Fitzgerald would do anything for Camron Fowler.

She had once taken a bullet for him, stayed half an hour in freezing water to save the woman he loved, and even when she was pale with menstrual pain, she still managed to handle all his messes without flinching.

People said Luciana loved Camron so deeply she'd never leave him in this lifetime.

Yet in her fifth year as his secretary, Luciana handed in her resignation.

The HR stared at her in disbelief, confirming repeatedly. "Lucy, you're really leaving?"

"Yes. I'll be gone in a month." Luciana signed calmly, turned, and walked out.

Instead of heading home, she drove to the cemetery.

On the tombstone was a man's photo—his gentle features bore a striking resemblance to Camron's, seven parts alike but far softer.

Luciana reached out and brushed her trembling fingers across the image.

Raymond Fowler.

Camron's elder brother—and her true love.

Five years ago, when they were deep in love, Raymond died in a car crash protecting her.

Covered in blood, he had held on to his last breath and whispered, "Lucy, don't cry... I have one more favor to ask.

"My brother... he's cold, careless... will you look after him for me? For at least... five years?"

Luciana knew he didn't truly mean for her to care for Camron. He only feared she wouldn't survive the grief. That promise was his way of giving her a reason to keep living, hoping she'd find purpose again over the next five years.

She'd kept her word, going to Camron's side as his personal secretary. She'd shielded him from all dangers, cleaning up all his troubles.

But five years had passed, and nothing inside her had changed.

She was ready to be with Raymond again.

Gazing down at the tombstone, she whispered, "Raye, this world feels too lonely to me without you. Wait for me... I'll come to join you soon."

Her phone suddenly vibrated, pulling her back from her thoughts.

It was Camron's friend, his voice frantic. "Luciana! Get to the racetrack! Cam's gone crazy. He's risking his life for Alissa's stupid test!"

Luciana's eyes widened in shock. She shot to her feet and ran out.

Alissa Morrow.

The woman Camron had been chasing for two whole years.

She'd said she wanted to test Camron's sincerity, demanding he complete a hundred tasks before agreeing to date him. Most of the so-called tasks were dangerous, even absurd.

They included skydiving, deep diving, and even sparring with professional fighters...

By the time Luciana reached the racetrack, Camron was shrugging off his suit jacket, ready to change into a racing suit.

His friends surrounded him, trying to stop him.

"Cam, are you insane? You just recovered from the broken leg you suffered while parachuting for Alissa last month, and now this?"

"Yeah, you're the most eligible man in Los Angeles! Dozens of socialites would kill for your attention, and you're fixated on Alissa?"

"Come on, even Luciana's better! She's given everything for you all these years—can't you see that?"

Camron paused, a dark flicker crossing his eyes.

When he looked up, his gaze met Luciana's pale face in the crowd.

"I don't like a pursuer at her own expense," he said, his voice low, casual yet cruel. "Especially the kind that cling to me."

Luciana froze where she stood, her heart twisting painfully in her chest.

But she still stepped forward quickly, grabbed the racing suit, and slipped it on neatly.

Camron narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing?"

Luciana lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her cheeks. "You can't get hurt. I'll go in your place."

His friends jumped in immediately. "Cam, let Luciana do it! If something happens to you, how will you be with Alissa?"

Camron was about to speak when he watched Luciana swing open the car door and slip inside.

Dumbfounded, he reached out instinctively to stop her, but only grabbed empty air.

"Luciana! “His voice was cold, carrying a sharp note of command.

But through the window, she only gave him a gentle nod—her eyes calm, as though she were merely completing another routine task.

With a roar, the engine ignited. The racecar shot forward like an arrow from the string.

Camron stood rooted in place, the wind tugging at his jacket.

He stared at the car speeding around the track, his gaze growing darker by the second.

Again, Luciana risked her life just to protect him.

On the track, Luciana's car scraped past the guardrail several times, sparks flashing in the night.

Spectators gasped, but she kept the speed at its limit, never wavering.

When her car finally crossed the finish line, there came a deafening crash.

The front of the car crumpled. The airbags burst open.

Luciana pushed the door open with great effort, blood streaming down her pale cheeks.

She staggered toward Camron and held out the medal.

"I ... won..."

Before the words were out, she collapsed forward like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Camron reacted instinctively, catching her in his arms.

Luciana was surprisingly light, as if she might vanish at any moment.

He looked down at her closed eyes, a strange emotion welling in his chest.

"Luciana!" He called her name, his voice tighter than he realized.

As darkness swallowed her, a faint smile tugged at Luciana's lips.

She had always loved hearing him call her name. Because that voice sounded just like the one she could never forget.

When Luciana opened her eyes again, the first thing she saw was the pale hospital ceiling.

She turned her head slightly and saw Camron standing by the window. His slender figure was outlined by the morning light.

"Awake?" He turned around, his voice low and cold. "Luciana, is your life so worthless?"

She parted her lips, but a stinging pain shot through her cracked skin.

"I told you," Camron stepped closer to the bed, looking down at her, "no matter what you do, I'll never like you."

Luciana lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her cheeks.

She'd wanted to say she didn't do this for him, and that her purpose was never to win his favor.

But the words stuck in her throat.

How could she explain? That she'd done it all just to keep a promise to Raymond?

In the end, she only whispered, "I know."

She'd always known he didn't like her.

Better than anyone.

Camron stared at her pale profile. Somehow, he felt upset.

He looked away, his voice softening slightly. "Take a week off. Have a good rest."

After a pause, he added, "I'll stay here for the next two days."

Luciana's head snapped up. A flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Are you that happy I'm staying?" Camron narrowed his gaze.

She looked at his face, which was so similar to Raymond's, and nodded gently. "Yes. I'm very happy."

Camron was quite moved. He was about to speak when his phone rang suddenly.

"Cam..." Alissa's tearful voice came from the other end. "I sprained my ankle. It hurts so bad..."

Camron's eyes darted to Luciana.

She caught his hesitation in an instant and forced a smile. "Go take care of her. I'm fine."

Camron fell silent for a moment, then picked up his coat. "Call me if you need anything."

Then he left without a backward glance.

The second the ward door clicked shut, the smile slid off Luciana's face.

She stared at the ceiling, her eyes stinging, but no tears came.

***

Not long after, a commotion erupted outside.

Luciana heard nurses' voices in the corridor.

"Did you hear? Mr. Fowler rented the entire floor for Ms. Morrow in the VIP ward, even moving all the medical equipment and doctors there!"

"Oh my, he spoils her so much..."

Luciana lay quietly, listening with an expressionless face.

Her wound needed redressing, but the nurse never came.

After waiting a long time, she sat up, took the medicine from the bedside, and began applying it to her wound bit by bit.

The medication stung, a burning pain flaring up. Her hands shook so badly she fumbled the bottle several times. It clattered to the floor, and the glass shards scattered everywhere.

She bent to pick it up, jostling her wound. She collapsed hard, her knees hitting the shards. Blood welled instantly.

Pain blurred her vision, but she bit down hard, saying nothing. Slowly, she pulled herself up and kept applying the medicine.

In the days that followed, she passed Alissa's ward occasionally.

Through the half-open door, she saw Camron sitting by the bed, feeding Alissa food gently. His eyes were soft with a tenderness he'd never shown her.

Luciana stood outside the door, watching silently for a moment.

She supposed Camron really did love Alissa.

If she could help them stay together, Raye would be glad.

On the day of her discharge, Luciana packed her things and stepped out of the ward, only to collide head-on with Alissa.

She stepped aside reflexively to make way, but watched as Alissa suddenly stumbled and crashed to the ground.

"Ah..."Alissa's eyes instantly reddened, her voice trembling with tears. "It hurts..."

Rapid footsteps approached. Camron grabbed Luciana's wrist. His grip was so tight that she winced.

"Luciana, after all these years as my secretary, can't you even watch your steps?"

"Cam, don't blame Lucy," Alissa looked up pitifully, her voice soft. "She might ... just be jealous you've been taking care of me these days, so she..."

Luciana froze.

She hadn't even touched Alissa. They hadn't exchanged a single word. Alissa was simply shifting the blame to her.

"I didn't," Luciana said, trying to explain. "Why would I be jealous of her? I..."

"That's enough!"

Camron cut her off sharply, yanking his hand away.

Taken by surprise, Luciana crashed backward, slamming her waist against the door handle with a jolt. Her newly healed wound split open at once, and the pain almost made her faint.

Camron stared down at her, his eyes sharp. "This is my last warning. Stay away from Allie."

He bent to lift Alissa. His movements were as gentle as if he were holding a priceless treasure.

As they left, Alissa leaned against Camron's shoulder, shooting Luciana a triumphant smile.

Luciana slid down the wall to the floor. Blood already seeped through her clothes, staining them crimson.

As she stared at Camron walking away, a profound weariness swept over her, unlike anything she'd experienced.

Luciana returned to her empty apartment alone.

Moonlight seeped through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled shadows across the floor.

Mechanically, she untied the blood-soaked gauze, hastily tending to the wound on her waist.

Then she walked to the cabinet, pulling an iron box from the depths of a drawer.

It was filled with memories she shared with Raymond.

There was a cinema ticket, a button, and a few yellowed photos.

She brushed her fingers gently over Raymond's soft smile in the picture, her touch trembling.

"Wait for me, Raye... I'll see you soon."

Her phone vibrated suddenly, the screen lighting up. It was a call from Camron.

"Buy Allie's favorite desserts and bring them to the Azur Club."

The call ended suddenly, giving her no chance to decline.

Outside, rain poured down.

Luciana stood at the window a moment, then silently grabbed an umbrella and stepped into the downpour.

She waited in line at the popular dessert shop for nearly an hour, her body stiffening with cold before finally getting what Alissa wanted.

By the time she reached the club, her hair still dripped with water.

Alissa took the dessert bag, glancing at the soaked Luciana and chuckling softly, "Lucy, I've heard that you will do everything Cam asks. I didn't believe it before."

She turned to Camron. "Guess the rumors weren't exaggerated."

Camron sat deep in the sofa, legs crossed, amber liquid swirling gently in his crystal glass.

He looked up at Luciana, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Alissa took a bite of the dessert, then frowned. "It's too sweet. I don't want it."

She looked up at Luciana, feigning innocence. "Lucy, could you go to another shop? I remember that shop's dessert wasn't so cloying."

Luciana fell silent for two seconds, then nodded. "Sure."

She turned and stepped back into the rain.

When she returned with the second batch, Alissa shook her head again. "This doesn't taste fresh enough..."

The third time, she said, "The flavor's off. Did you get the wrong one?"

The fourth...

Luciana was drenched, her fingertips numb with cold, her breath visible in frosty puffs.

Alissa finally stopped nitpicking, smiling in satisfaction. "Thank you, Lucy."

She turned, snuggling into Camron's arms. "Cam, I've thought of the ninety-eighth task."

"What is it?" Camron's voice was low, soft.

"I want you to finish all the wine on this table."

The air stilled.

Several of Camron's friends shot to their feet, chairs scraping harshly against the carpet.

"Alissa, are you insane? You know Cam's allergic to alcohol!"

"I know," she blinked innocently. "But I want a man who loves me unconditionally. If he's willing to drink despite his allergy, doesn't that prove how much he cares?"

"You—" One slammed a fist on the table. "Last time, Cam fought a pro boxer for you and broke two ribs! He nearly shattered his leg skydiving for you! Isn't that enough? How far will you go? You won't stop until you've destroyed him completely, will you?"

Tears instantly filled Alissa's eyes. She clutched Camron's sleeve pitifully. "Cam, I didn't mean that... I just..."

"I'll drink it."

Camron had already lifted his glass. His Adam's apple bobbed as he drained the amber liquid in one swallow.

His pale skin flushed instantly, his breathing growing labored.

"Cam!" Everyone exclaimed.

Just as he reached for the second glass, a slender figure cut in front of him.

Luciana gripped the glass, her knuckles whitening with the force.

"Move." Camron's voice was hoarse.

"You're allergic to alcohol. If you die, you can't love her anymore. Are you willing to do that?"

After that, she turned to Alissa. "One glass is enough to prove his sincerity. The allergic reaction could kill him if he took another sip.

"So I'll finish the rest."

Alissa, seemingly convinced, pouted. "Fine. You can do it for him."

Luciana fished allergy pills from her coat pocket, shoving them into Camron's hand before he could refuse.

Then she grabbed the bottle, tilted her head back, and drank.

The harsh liquor seared her throat like fire. She fought down the nausea, draining bottle after bottle.

The private room fell silent, save for the sound of liquid sliding down her throat.

Camron clutched the pill, his knuckles whitening with the force.

He stared at Luciana's pale profile, and a sharp, suffocating pain gripped his chest.

All these years, Luciana had always been like this, quietly stepping in front of him and taking every blow in his stead.

He'd thought he'd never be moved by her sacrifices. But now, watching her ashen face, he didn't know how to describe his feelings.

He tugged irritably at his tie, trying to smother the strange emotion. Over and over, he told himself—

He liked Alissa, not Luciana.

It could never be Luciana.

By the time the party ended, Luciana's face was deathly pale.

She clung to the wall to steady herself. Without digging her fingertips deep into her palms, she could barely keep herself upright.

Camron stood at the bar settling the bill, but his gaze kept drifting to her swaying figure.

It wasn't until the waiter reminded him for the third time that he snapped back to attention and signed the receipt.

He turned to fetch the car, telling Luciana to see Alissa out first.

Luciana nodded, supporting the slightly tipsy Alissa as they walked.

But as they passed an artificial lake, Alissa suddenly slipped on purpose and fell into the water!

"Ah!"

Her scream pierced the air. Camron rushed over, just in time to see Alissa submerged.

His eyes turned icy. He grabbed Luciana's wrist. "Luciana! How dare you push her?"

Luciana stumbled, her wet skirt clinging to her legs, sending a bone-deep chill through her.

She looked up into his furious eyes and shook her head gently. "I didn't..."

"I saw it with my own eyes. Don't you dare to lie!" Camron's fingers tightened. He noticed her brows furrow in pain, but he didn't pity her. "Since you love hurting people so much, you deserve a taste of it!"

Before she could respond, he shoved her into the lake without hesitation.

The icy water engulfed Luciana instantly.

She was already freezing from her period, and now she curled up in agony, her vision darkening.

Camron stared at her coldly, ordering his bodyguard, "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her come up."

The lake's bite was unbearable. Luciana's consciousness faded bit by bit.

The last thing she saw was Camron carrying Alissa in his arms, walking away without a glance.

***

When Luciana woke up again, she found herself lying on a bed in a guest room at the Fowler's house.

Camron sat on the edge of the bed, holding an unlit cigarette between his slender fingers. In his profound gaze, emotions churned, unreadable to her.

"Why didn't you say you were on your period earlier?"

Luciana's lips twitched weakly. "If I had, would you have kept me from falling in?"

The air turned rigid.

The cigarette in Camron's hand crumpled under his grip, cigarette ashes spilling onto the sheets.

He stood up, towering over her. "Why do you keep hurting Allie?"

"I didn't." Luciana's voice was barely a whisper. "She jumped down on purpose."

"Luciana!" Camron snapped. "Watch your tongue. Allie would never do that!"

Luciana fell silent, no longer defending herself, just staring at him quietly.

She'd always known he'd never believe her.

Camron took a sharp breath, pulled a bronze-colored folder from his suit pocket, and tossed it on the bed.

"You need to make amends. Allie's birthday party is coming up. You'll handle all the preparations.

"Her likes and taboos are all here. Don't mess up."

Luciana opened the folder, her fingertips trembling.

Those meticulous notes of preferences reminded her of someone who'd once remembered every little thing about her.

Raymond had always known her favorite coffee's exact temperature and remembered the color of every skirt she owned.

Noticing her daze, Camron frowned. "Did you hear me?"

"Yeah." She replied softly. "You really love her a lot."

She slowly climbed out of bed, reaching for her coat to start preparations, when her phone slipped out of her pocket.

The moment the screen lit up, Camron's pupils contracted sharply.

On the lock screen wallpaper, Luciana was gently held in the arms of a man who looked eerily like him.

The man stared at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

Camron bent down to pick up the phone, his knuckles tightening around it.

"Why do you have a photo of the younger me?"

Luciana snatched the phone back, her voice taut. "You're mistaken."

"Impossible." Camron's gaze sharpened. "That's my high school uniform. Even the tie clip is identical."

The face in the photo was slightly blurred, but its outline bore an uncanny resemblance to his younger self.

Yet he'd never known Luciana back then. He was certain of it!

An absurd thought crossed his mind.

Camron loosened his grip on her wrist, staring at her strangely. "Are you infatuated with me that much? You're cutting out pictures of me when I was younger, photoshopping you into them, all to fake that we were together?"

Luciana opened her mouth, but no words came.

Should she tell him that the person in the photo wasn't him at all, but Raymond, the one who'd left her forever?

Her silence only hardened Camron's resolve. His eyes turned colder. "I told you no matter what you do, I'll never like you.

"Allie is the only one in my heart. Stop with these childish games."

After saying that, he turned and left, but an odd, unsettling feeling lingered in his chest. His heart raced faster than he could explain.

***

Three days later, Alissa's birthday party was held as scheduled.

Luciana's party was luxurious and exquisite. Every detail was tailored perfectly to Alissa's tastes.

At the event, Camron doted on Alissa relentlessly, cutting her cake or pouring her wine. His eyes were soft enough to melt.

Guests murmured among themselves.

"Luciana risked her life for Mr. Fowler, but he only has eyes for Alissa."

"If I'd loved someone for so long with no response, I'd have given up. What's she holding out for?"

Luciana stood in the corner, listening silently, her face impassive.

Camron approached her. "Great party. What do you want as a reward?"

Luciana opened her mouth to speak when a scream cut through the air.

"Ah! It's so itchy!" Alissa scratched her neck, her face ashen. "Cam... I... I can't breathe..."

She stumbled backward, knocking over the champagne tower.

Glass shards flew, slashing her arms and legs. Blood gushed instantly.

Camron's expression darkened. He rushed over, lifted Alissa in his arms, and raced to the hospital.

Luciana followed closely behind.

At the hospital, the doctor's face was grim after the examination. "Ms. Morrow has a coagulation disorder. The wound won't stop bleeding. She needs an immediate blood transfusion."

Camron was about to volunteer when Luciana rolled up her sleeve. "Draw mine."

Camron froze, looking at her with complicated eyes.

As the blood was drawn, Luciana's face grew paler by the second. Her vision blurred, and she fainted.

When she woke up, she found herself tied to a pool, with heavy stones weighing down her feet.

Camron stood before her, his eyes icy. "Luciana, was the last punishment too mild for you? So you ignored my words?

"I found out. Alissa had an allergic reaction and collapsed because she ate cake with almonds.

"I explicitly told you she's allergic to almonds. Did you deliberately add them?"

Luciana's pupils contracted. "It wasn't me..."

"Still lying!" Camron cut her off sharply. "Sink her!"

The bodyguard shoved her into the pool.

Cold water engulfed her head instantly. Luciana thrashed wildly, but the stone dragged her downward.

Suffocation clamped down on her lungs, burning like fire.

"It's not me... I didn't do..."

Her voice dissolved in the water, leaving only faint bubbles rising to the surface.

Camron stood by the pool, watching her sink coldly before signaling the bodyguard to pull her up.

Luciana was hauled out, coughing violently, her face ashen. "Camron... I didn't add almonds..."

"Stop lying!" Camron grabbed her chin, his grip bordering on cruel. "A servant saw you do it with her own eyes!"

Luciana's pupils narrowed. Saw her?

Suddenly, she understood. She turned her head with great effort toward the ward.

Alissa stood by the window. When their eyes met, a faint, triumphant sneer tugged at her lips.

"It's Alissa..." Luciana's voice was hoarse. "She did it on purpose..."

"Shut up!" Camron pressed her back into the water. "Allie nearly died, and you still dare to slander her?"

This time, she stayed submerged longer.

Luciana's struggles grew weaker. Memories flashed before her eyes like a lantern slide.

The fifteen-year-old Raymond wiped ink off her face in the library.

The eighteen-year-old Raymond held her hand secretly at the graduation ceremony.

The twenty-year-old Raymond kneeled in the snow, cupping her frostbitten hands to breathe warmth into them...

"Pull her up!"

Camron's voice jolted her back to reality.

Luciana was dragged out of the water, collapsing on the pool's edge like a tattered puppet. She didn't even have the strength to cough.

"Learned your lesson?" Camron stared down at her. "Go apologize to Allie."

He grabbed her wrist, yanking her roughly toward the ward.

Luciana's legs scraped against the tiles, drawing blood, but she couldn't resist.

In the ward, Alissa leaned weakly against the bed. When she saw them, her eyes immediately reddened. "Lucy... I know you like Camron, but even so, you shouldn't..."

Luciana looked up, catching Alissa's smug gaze.

She suddenly felt so tired that she no longer had the will to defend herself.

So she simply did as Camron ordered. "I'm sorry."

The two words drained her last bit of strength.

Alissa smiled triumphantly, then shook her head generously. "Cam, let it go. Lucy just got lost back then..."

"No." Camron's voice was cold. "She hurt you. She'll take care of you personally until you're fully recovered."

The days that followed were a nightmare for Luciana.

In the bitter winter, Alissa made her open the windows and clean the glass. She deliberately spilled hot water to scald Luciana's hands, and even feigned illness in the middle of the night, forcing Luciana to travel across the city for ointment...

"I really don't get it." One night, Alissa watched as Luciana knelt on the floor, applying ointment to her. "Cam's treated you so badly. Why haven't you left?"

Luciana's hand paused, the ointment smearing on the purple mark. "The promise isn't up yet."

"What promise?" Alissa narrowed her eyes.

Luciana fell silent, continuing to apply the ointment without a word.

Alissa suddenly kicked her away. "Stop playing dumb! I'm warning you. These days of torment are to teach you your place! Cam will never like you, and you can't compete with me!"

She leaned down, pinching Luciana's chin. "Don't come here tomorrow. And if you dare to pull any tricks, I'll make your life a living hell."

***

Luciana dragged her exhausted body home. She'd barely collapsed onto the sofa when her phone began vibrating wildly.

"Luciana, there's an emergency! The ninety-ninth task Alissa gave Cam was to put a flag on the peak of the snow mountain...

"But there was an avalanche! Cam's trapped up there. No one knows if he's alive or dead!"

By the time Luciana reached the foot of the mountain, the blizzard had raged for a full day.

She was about to rush up when the rescue team leader stopped her with a serious expression. "You can't go up now! The avalanche just stopped. Another collapse could happen anytime. It's far too dangerous. Even we, a professional team, won't risk it!"

Luciana stared at the snow-capped peak, her voice trembling. "If we wait any longer, he'll die."

"But going up alone will get you killed!"

"I don't care."

She said no more. Turning, she strapped on her crampons, slung the rescue bag over her shoulder, and plunged into the blizzard without looking back.

The cold wind cut like a knife, stinging her cheeks. Snowflakes seeped into her collar, melting instantly into icy water that chilled her to the bone.

She climbed slowly. Her fingers had turned blue with the bitter cold, but her hold on the rope remained unshakable.

Three hours later, she found Camron unconscious on the cliff edge.

Falling rocks pinned his legs, his face as pale as the snow around him.

"Camron!"

Luciana lunged forward, scraping away the snow with her bare hands. Her nails cracked and bled, but she didn't notice.

"Wake up..." She shook him gently, slapping his cheek lightly before wrapping him in a thermal blanket. "I'll take you home..."

Camron was unresponsive, his body cold as stone.

Luciana gritted her teeth, securing him to her back with the rescue rope, and stumbled down the mountain step by step.

The descent was far harder than the climb. She fell countless times, eventually crawling most of the way down.

By the time she reached the camp, her jacket was torn to shreds, and her knees were soaked in blood.

The moment the medical staff took Camron from her, Luciana's vision went black. She crumpled into the snow.

When Luciana woke again, the pungent smell of disinfectant filled her nose. She sat up abruptly, wincing as her wounds pulled.

"Don't move." A nurse held her down. "You've lost too much blood. You need rest."

"Where's Camron? How is he?"

"Mr. Fowler is out of danger. He's in the VIP ward."

Luciana pulled out the IV needle and stumbled toward the VIP wing. As soon as she reached the door, she overheard a conversation.

"You almost died for Alissa! Ninety-nine ridiculous tasks. Is she even worth it?" His friend's angry voice boomed. "Watch this video! If Luciana hadn't carried you down the mountain with her life on the line, you'd be a corpse by now!"

Silence hung for a moment, then the hum of a surveillance video filled the air.

On the screen, Luciana, covered in blood, struggled through the snow with the unconscious Camron on her back.

She fell, got up, her knees shredded and bleeding, but never let him slip.

In the final stretch, she collapsed from exhaustion, yet still used her body as a cushion to shield him from harm.

"During these years, she took a bullet for you, drank poison for you, soaked in ice water until she lost her ability to have children... Did you really feel nothing?"

There was another long silence.

"No." Camron's voice was cold and sharp. "Even if she died for me a thousand times, I'd never like her."

Suddenly, Luciana accidentally kicked over a potted plant by the door.

The ward door flew open. Their eyes met. Camron's pupils contracted, but he did nothing but watch her walk away, her back bearing a heavy loneliness.

"Cam! Go explain!" His friend stamped his foot anxiously. "She risked her life for you, and you said that? What if she really leaves?"

Camron stared at the empty corridor. Somehow, he felt he'd lost something, but he sneered. "She won't."

"How do you know?"

"Because she loves me." He turned back to the bed, his tone firm. "She loves me so much she's lost her self-respect and bottom line. Even if I trample her into the mud, she'll still crawl back."

His friends exchanged glances, then sighed.

That made sense. Everyone knew Luciana was crazy about Camron.

She could never bear to leave.

On the day of Luciana's discharge, her phone vibrated.

It was a message from Camron: "Be on time for Pierce Auction House at 8 p.m. tonight."

She stared at the screen for a long time, then replied with a single word: "Okay."

The auction hall was magnificent. Luciana stood quietly in the corner, dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers.

Her leg injury hadn't fully healed. Standing for long periods would bring her some dull pain. But she kept her back straight, like a tree refusing to bend in the wind and snow.

However...

"Cam, I've decided on the hundredth task." Alissa clung to his arm, her voice soft. "I want you to auction her off."

Luciana's head snapped up, meeting Alissa's triumphant gaze.

"Allie," Camron frowned, tapping lightly on the armrest. "This is going too far."

"You said you'd do anything for me." Alissa pouted. "Besides, haven't you always hated her pestering you? This is the perfect solution.

"Promise me, and I'll stay with you forever!"

Camron fell silent for a long time, then finally looked at Luciana.

"Luciana," his voice was hoarse, "come on stage."

Luciana's fingertips trembled, her face paling. In the end, she just nodded. "Yes, Mr. Fowler."

Camron's pupils contracted. His heart suddenly throbbed sharply.

He'd thought she'd cry or make a scene. But she just obeyed calmly with lifeless eyes.

He wondered how much she loved him. She truly took every one of his words as an order, yielding to him completely.

On the auction stage, the host smiled ambiguously.

"The next item is a little special. Ms. Luciana Fitzgerald, 25 years old, 168cm tall, proficient in six languages, skilled in..."

Bids echoed one after another from the audience.

"800 thousand dollars!"

"1.3 million dollars!"

"2 million dollars!"

Bids kept pouring in. Camron stared at the figure on stage, his chest tightening more by the second.

When the price hit 3 million dollars, he abruptly shot to his feet.

Alissa grabbed his sleeve. "Cam?"

Camron froze. That split-second hesitation was enough. The auctioneer's hammer fell, "Deal!"

In the end, a plump, middle-aged man won with 3 million dollars.

Camron sank back into the VIP seat, his veins throbbing faintly in his forehead.

***

In a hotel suite, the plump man shoved Luciana onto the bed. "My beauty, don't be scared... I'll treat you well..."

Luciana didn't struggle. She just stared calmly at the ceiling.

As his hand tore at her collar, she suddenly grabbed the crystal ashtray by the bedside and smashed it hard on his head!

The man screamed, blood gushing down his forehead.

Luciana pushed him away, staggering toward the door. Her leg throbbed with agony, but she dared not stop.

The man's roars and heavy footsteps chased after her.

She slammed the elevator button repeatedly, squeezing inside just in time.

The moment the doors closed, she crumpled to the floor, trembling uncontrollably.

***

Staggering back to her place, Luciana crumpled to the floor. The icy ceramic pressed against her skin, sending a bone-deep chill through her.

Still in her soaked clothes, she stared up at the ceiling, and suddenly thought of that rainy night years ago.

Raymond had waited for her at the school gate with an umbrella. Seeing her wet hair, he'd immediately taken off his coat and wrapped it around her, his tone a mix of distress and helplessness, "Why didn't you bring an umbrella? What if you catch a cold?"

Luciana murmured to herself, "Raye, without you, I can't even take care of myself anymore."

The door was kicked open suddenly!

Camron stood at the door, his face dark with rage. Anger blazed like fire in his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you ran away? Do you know how long I've been looking for you?"

Luciana slowly lifted her head, her eyes hollow. "Mr. Fowler, why did you look for me?"

Camron froze.

Right. Why did he look for her?

Having auctioned her away, he was at last reunited with Alissa.. Yet the second he watched her being taken away, an unshakable anxiety gnawed at him.

After settling Alissa, he'd sent people to find her, and even rushed to the hotel himself.

When he kicked open the door and saw only a bleeding, wailing man inside, he'd nearly lost control.

"I... I'm not worried about you," Camron's Adam's apple bobbed. "You work for me, and that's all. I won't let anything happen to you. If you got hurt, it'd disgrace me."

Luciana curled her lips faintly, saying nothing.

Camron took a sharp breath, forcing down his frustration. "Allie and I are official now. We're holding a celebration party tomorrow. Be there."

Since she didn't respond, he frowned. "Did you hear me?"

"I can't go." Luciana stared out the window. "Tomorrow's the last day... I'm going to find Raye."

Camron didn't catch the latter part. His phone rang suddenly. It was from Alissa, who urged him back to try on their matching party outfits.

He answered irritably, mumbled a few perfunctory words, then hung up. He glared at Luciana coldly. "You must be there tomorrow. Don't make me repeat myself."

With that, he turned and left, slamming the door hard.

***

The next day, Luciana didn't go to the party.

She went to the cemetery and bought a plot right next to Raymond's grave.

"Raye," she brushed her fingers over the photo on the tombstone, her voice soft. "Wait for me. We'll meet soon."

After leaving the cemetery, she took a taxi to the river-crossing bridge.

Five years ago, Raymond drove her past here on the way to meet his parents.

They'd chatted happily about their future, only to be hit by a car while crossing the river.

Their car plummeted into the water. Raymond had used his last strength to push her ashore, then drowned from exhaustion.

"Lucy, live..." Those were his final words.

Luciana stood at the bridge's edge. The river breeze swept through her long hair. Her phone vibrated.

Camron messaged her: "The party has started. Why aren't you here?"

She fell silent for a long time, then typed slowly: "I'm not coming. I'm going to find my lover."

Her lock screen wallpaper glowed with a photo of her and Raymond. In it, he bent down to kiss the top of her head, his eyes soft enough to melt.

"Raye, I'm coming to you now."

The phone slipped from her fingers, sinking into the river below.

Luciana spread her arms and jumped down, like a bird finally breaking free from its cage.

As the cold water engulfed her, she seemed to see Raymond standing in a pool of light, reaching out to her.

He said, "Lucy, I've been waiting for you."