Chapter 2 Emyr Cross

• Charmaine believed that they had finally accepted her and that they could cherish her, just like they did Leah. She believed she finally had a family of her own.
• But that wasn't the truth.
• After the surgery, all their attention was directed towards Leah. All the care Charmaine had received before was nothing but an illusion.
• From the beginning to the end, it was always Leah. Their kindness toward Charmaine served as a means to maintain her compliance, ensuring the smooth execution of the surgery to obtain Leah's kidney. They were afraid she might change her mind.
• After the transplant, Charmaine's health declined, and everything she tried went wrong.
• Meanwhile, Leah thrived, basking in the affection of the Nelsons and the Reads. She even became a glamorous star, shining brightly wherever she went.
• Frustrated by her endless failures, Charmaine's resentment festered. Less than two years later, she developed liver failure.
• At that point, Leah, who carried her kidney, became the perfect match for a liver transplant.
• Leah volunteered to donate her liver, but on the way to the hospital, she was involved in a severe car accident.
• When the vehicle caught fire, Charmaine and Leah were inside.
• Charmaine watched as Alec and Zayn rushed over, not hesitating for a second as they fought their way to the driver's seat, pulling Leah—whose leg was pinned—free after a tremendous struggle.
• All they had to do was break the window to escape from the back seat. However, they left her to burn, her body transforming into ashes.
• Giving her life for the Nelsons, Charmaine finally understood the meaning of family.
• Family!
• My foot!
• Charmaine closed her eyes, suppressing the raging flames flickering in her gaze.
• When she reopened them, her expression was calm as she looked deeply at Milo. She offered a mocking suggestion, "Sure, why don't you ask Jonah to add on another 10 million while you're at it? Maybe he could find you a brain transplant too."
• "What did you just say?"
• Milo stared at Charmaine, fixated on her expression.
• How could it be? Why isn't she sad or upset?
• Shouldn't she be feeling regret and fear, frantically trying to win him over?
• Wait. Did she mean—
• Realization struck Milo, and his expression darkened. Fury filled his voice as he bellowed, "Charmaine—are you asking for trouble? Fine, we don't need your useless kidney. Get lost! You don't deserve to show up at Leah's birthday party!"
• Charmaine glanced at the luxurious carpet beneath her feet and sneered. "Staying here would only dirty my shoes."
• "You—!"
• Milo was almost exploding with anger. Charmaine must have hit her head today—she was out of her mind!
• Under Milo's murderous glare, Charmaine turned and walked away decisively.
• Yet, she had only taken a few steps when she sensed something was off.
• A familiar yet foreign heat surged through her body, almost making her legs give out.
• No, something wasn't right!
• In this life, she hadn't drunk any alcohol; there was no reason for her to feel this way.
• Her body was beyond her control. Charmaine instinctively reached for the wall, trying to find a quiet place to hide. Without realizing it, she pushed open a door beside her.
• She stumbled into the darkness, colliding with a warm, solid chest. The cold, metallic touch beneath her hand offered some relief from the heat burning inside her.
• But in the next moment, a firm, scorching hand gripped her neck. One twist, and it could easily snap.
• "You have a death wish?"
• The man's cold, bone-chilling voice and the tightening grip on her throat jolted Charmaine back to clarity.
• Feeling the pressure tightening around her throat, she took a deep breath, her hand pressing firmly against his wrist. Her other hand quickly reached behind his neck, finding the pressure point just below his skull and pressing down.
• Instantly, the grip on her neck weakened, and the unguarded man fell unconscious.
• Finally able to breathe, Charmaine lay on the man's hot, muscular body, panting heavily.
• But the uncontrollable heat surged through her again, overwhelming her senses.
• Unable to resist any longer, she clenched her teeth, tearing open the man's expensive tailored trousers, and sank down heavily.
• She didn't know how long had passed. Charmaine, who was sweating profusely, finally put on the clothes draped over the nearby wheelchair. Her mind was slowly clearing.
• Both families had given Leah all the honor. The grand event tonight was full of high-status guests. Among them, only one had a disability—
• Her former fiancé, Emyr Cross.
• Eragos had five elite families that had passed down for centuries, with the Crosses at the top and the Nelsons at the bottom.
• Both family heads forged a bond rooted in life-and-death situations, arranging the marriage even before the birth of their grandchildren.
• Emyr, known for his temper and violent nature, had caused plenty of trouble in his youth—his reputation spread throughout the city.
• There were even rumors that with the Crosses behind him, it was only a matter of time before Eragos's future would land in Emyr's hand.
• But then, one day, the notorious troublemaker disappeared without a trace. For years, his whereabouts remained a mystery.