Chapter 2 She Was Back

The office was warm and inviting, bathed in the golden glow of a desk lamp. The faint aroma of vanilla lingered in the air, adding an unexpected sense of calm. Sitting across from me was a man I now realized I recognized.

He extended his hand with a polite smile. "Adrian Sterling. Pleasure to meet you."

I tried to hide my excitement as I shook his hand. "I know who you are."

His brow lifted slightly. "Oh? Do you?"

I nodded casually, even though my heart raced. "I’ve seen you on television."

Adrian Sterling—the billionaire everyone wanted to meet. His name opened doors, his influence was unmatched, and he had everything I dreamed of. Young, wealthy, and powerful. A life I couldn’t even imagine for myself.

He chuckled softly. "Well, it’s nice to meet you too." His tone was nonchalant, the kind you’d expect from someone used to being recognized.

"Now," he continued, leaning back slightly, his tone shifting to one of importance, "I’ll need you to sign a confidentiality contract before we proceed."

I tilted my head, curiosity sparking. "What exactly would I be doing?"

Adrian’s eyes locked onto mine, his expression calm but serious. "You’ll be on standby for blood transfusions. It’s not your typical job. You’ll be living with me and my girlfriend, Nina. She’s sick, and she needs it."

I leaned back in my chair, his words settling like stones in my stomach. "Just that?" I asked, skepticism lacing my tone.

He gave a small nod. "Yes, just that."

I frowned, the unease bubbling up. "Isn’t that illegal?" The words escaped before I could stop them.

Adrian didn’t flinch. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "Yes," he admitted, his voice steady, "which is why confidentiality is non-negotiable. This is a delicate matter. You’re not the first applicant, but after reviewing your profile, I believe you’re the best fit."

"Why me?" I asked, my voice quieter this time. "What’s so special about my blood?"

Adrian hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Your blood type is rare, matching Nina’s perfectly. We’ve been searching for someone like you for a long time, and you’re our best chance of keeping her alive."

The weight of his words pressed down on me. A rare blood type, a desperate situation, and an offer that felt too surreal to believe. My mind spun with questions, but I couldn’t ignore the financial lifeline this offered—or the fact that my Grandma’s life was hanging by a thread.

Adrian slid a set of keys across the desk. "You’ll move in tomorrow. Everything you need will be provided for you. Your responsibility is to be available for transfusions whenever required. The compensation will more than cover your needs, but confidentiality is crucial."

I stared at the keys, the contract, and finally the pen lying next to it. My fingers trembled as I picked it up. The moment felt heavier than it should have, like the decision would ripple through my entire life.

With a shaky breath, I signed my name, the ink trailing across the paper like a binding thread.

Adrian took the contract and rose from his seat. "Welcome to our world, Miss Quinn."

I left the office that night knowing one thing for sure: my life was about to change forever—whether for better or worse, I couldn’t tell.

*****

The next morning, I stood in the hospital’s billing office, holding the receipt in my hand.

I had done it.

The first payment for Grandma’s treatment was made.

When I walked into Grandma’s room, she looked up from her bed, her frail face lighting up with a surprised smile. "Lyra, you’re back already?"

"Yep," I said, setting the receipt down on the bedside table with a satisfied grin. "The first payment is done. No more worrying."

Her brows furrowed in disbelief. "You—what? How? Where did you get that kind of money?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my tone light. "I told you I’d figure something out. Let’s just say I got a job that pays really well."

Grandma’s eyes softened, and she reached out to squeeze my hand. "You didn’t do anything dangerous, did you?"

"No, Grandma. It’s just… a little unconventional," I replied, evading her concerned gaze. "But it’s safe. I promise."

She studied me for a moment, her worry etched into every line of her face. Then, as if deciding to trust me, she leaned back against her pillow. "Thank you, Lyra. You don’t know what this means to me."

"I know exactly what it means," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "You mean everything to me, Grandma. So don’t you dare talk about letting go again, okay?"

She smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Alright, alright. I’ll stop."

As I left the hospital, a small weight lifted from my chest. For the first time in days, I felt like I was doing something right.

---

When I arrived at the address Adrian had given me, the sleek glass mansion loomed ahead. It looked even more imposing in the daylight, the sunlight reflecting off its pristine surface.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside. The house was immaculate, the kind of place that screamed wealth and perfection. I hadn’t been there long when I heard the sound of footsteps descending the grand staircase.

"Lyra, I see you’ve made yourself comfortable," Adrian greeted me, his tone casual but commanding as ever.

Before I could respond, another voice chimed in, soft and melodic. "Adrian, is this the donor you mentioned?"

I turned to see her, and for a moment, I was stunned. Standing there was Nina. She was stunning—tall, with long blonde hair and beautiful rate blue eyes that seemed to radiate elegance. Her tailored silk robe hugged her figure perfectly, and she moved with a grace that felt almost unreal.

Adrian walked over to her, placing a hand gently on her lower back. "Yes, this is Lyra Quinn. Lyra, meet Nina, my fiancée."

Nina smiled warmly, her eyes scanning me with polite curiosity. "It’s nice to meet you, Lyra. Adrian told me you’ve agreed to help."

"Nice to meet you too," I managed, feeling suddenly out of place in my secondhand jeans and plain sweater.

Adrian cleared his throat. "Lyra, I’ll have someone show you to your room. You’ll be staying on the east wing, close enough in case we need you."

I nodded, glancing once more at Nina. She was beautiful, ethereal even, and there was something about her presence that made me feel both fascinated and uneasy. This was the woman I was here to save. The woman Adrian had gone to such lengths for.

"Thank you," I said quietly, following a housekeeper up the staircase. But as I reached the room that would now be mine, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life I’d just stepped into—and if I was truly prepared for everything it would bring.