Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I opened my eyes to find Holden holding my arm down, his brow furrowed with irritation.

The nurse, noticing how pale I looked, spoke up cautiously.

"Mr. Cross, we've already taken four hundred milliliters. Miss Walsh is looking very―"

"It's not enough."

Holden cut her off coldly.

"Take as much as Chloe needs to survive. She's just a stand-in anyway; it doesn't matter if she dies."

I stared at him in disbelief, my heart plummeting into an icy abyss.

The nurse hesitated for a moment, but ultimately kept quiet.

"Holden Cross."

I spoke in a faint whisper.

"If I were the one lying in that room today, would you treat her like this for me?"

Holden looked down at me with pure disdain.

"That's impossible. Chloe is pure and kind; she would never be as manipulative and scheming as you."

"Don't worry. Even though you're just her substitute, I'll still take care of you in the future."

Right, she was pure and kind. That was why she abandoned him at his lowest and ran into another man's arms the moment his family lost everything.

Meanwhile, I had stayed by his side, shamelessly mimicking Chloe to help him rebuild his empire and comforting him through every dark night, only to be branded as scheming.

Now that the dream was shattered, the tender warmth I thought I had vanished into thin air.

He was still that same heartless man.

My vision grew hazy, and my body felt as heavy as lead.

The last sound I heard before passing out was his impatient command.

"Hurry up. Chloe can't wait that long. Switch to a larger needle."

…

When I woke up, only the rhythmic beeping of medical monitors filled the quiet room.

I blinked and tried to move, feeling an overwhelming exhaustion pressing down on my limbs.

Just as I prepared to get up and check myself out, Chloe pushed open the door, holding a thermal container.

"You're awake?"

I noticed her unsteady steps and the sickly pallor on her face.

Still, she wore a gentle, innocent smile as she offered the bowl of broth to me.

"Holden brought this specifically for me. But since you saved my life by giving me blood, I thought I should let you have it to recover."

A faint blush of triumph colored her cheeks.

I pushed the bowl away, sick of her pretentious act, and struggled to sit up to call a nurse.

"No need. I'm fine."

"You must have it. Holden would be upset if you didn't take care of yourself."

She leaned in, grabbing my wrist.

All I wanted was to get away from her, but as I tried to pull my arm back, she suddenly shoved me off the edge of the bed.

Crash!

My head slammed hard against the nightstand, and the IV line ripped violently from the back of my hand, splattering drops of blood across my face.

Chloe covered her mouth, putting on a show of utter shock.

Holden stormed into the room right at that moment.

"What is going on here?"