Chapter 3

I thought Damon wouldn't see me again before the wedding.

But when I returned to the apartment I'd rented, opening the door, our eyes met.

Before I could speak, he brushed past me and strode out.

My body hadn't fully recovered yet.

On the dining table sat a bowl of ginger tea, perfectly warm.

For a moment, a mix of emotions swirled within me.

I vaguely recalled how, in my past life, he'd always taken care of me even while complaining.

Only because my parents, before they died, had asked him to look after me.

So, even when we fought fiercely, if I was injured and hospitalized, he'd donate 600cc of blood without hesitation.

Even if we'd just vowed never to speak again, the next second, if a car was about to hit me, he'd throw himself in front of it to push me out of the way.

He was only trying to repay a debt with his life. But I always wanted more-I wanted his heart too.

Sipping what might be my last cup of ginger tea, I suddenly remembered something.

I quickly checked the date, my heart seizing, and put the bowl down. Grabbing my shoes, I called my assistant.

"Quick! Go to the alley behind 13th Street!"

It was still pouring rain. I rushed out without even grabbing an umbrella.

Following my memory, I arrived at the alley where Chloe was assaulted in my past life.

Sure enough, there, a dozen tall men surrounded a girl.

"Don't think just because your parents are dead, you don't have to pay! I've given you extensions until today. No money? Then you'll pay with your body!"

"Stop it!"

I smashed a beer bottle over the leader's head, grabbed Chloe's hand, and pulled her, running.

"Ah!"

The rain-slicked ground made her slip, and Chloe fell hard.

I pulled several times, unable to get her up, while the dozen men were already closing in.

Helpless, I shielded her with my body.

"Run! I'll hold them off!"

"I... I..."

Chloe seemed terrified, huddling and trembling.

"Run!"

I struggled to fend off the attackers, but even ten years of Taekwondo training wouldn't let me hold off a dozen men for long.

"I can't last much longer! Go find the police!"

"I... I'm so scared... I can't move..."

Chloe's voice was an uncontrollable tremor.

Gritting my teeth, I kicked a man away, buying us a precious second. I turned, trying to pull her up with all my might, but she suddenly shrieked and shoved me hard.

The blade pierced my body. My breath hitched.

"Bl... blood?"

The leader hadn't expected me to fall onto the knife.

He clearly hadn't intended to kill anyone, and his hand on the hilt was now shaking.

I stared wide-eyed at Chloe.

She huddled, trembling, looking at me. "I... I'm sorry... I was just so scared..."

Biting my lip, I yanked the knife out and spun, lunging at the men.

They hadn't wanted to kill anyone, and seeing me go berserk, they scattered in terror.

I stumbled, almost losing my balance.

Rain blurred my vision. Through the haze, I seemed to hear footsteps rapidly approaching.

I instinctively reached out for support, but a powerful shove sent me crashing against the wall.

Damon held the trembling Chloe in his arms, his teeth clenched as he glared at me.

"I already agreed to marry you, so why do you keep trying to destroy her?!"

The wound tore, a searing pain. I clutched my chest, swallowing a mouthful of blood with difficulty.

"Damon, I'm not..."

"Shut up!"

Damon lifted Chloe. "I will never believe another word you say."

"Damon... I... I..."

Chloe trembled, leaning against him. Damon immediately looked down, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Don't be scared. I'm taking you to the hospital now."

"Damon..."

I tried to say something else, but I collapsed heavily to the ground.

Blood pooled in thick rivulets. Dizzily, I only saw Damon's back.

He carried Chloe into the car and drove away, never looking back at me.

The icy rain pierced me, making me shiver uncontrollably. My outstretched hand crashed into the bloody puddle.

Before I closed my eyes, I thought I saw my assistant's car, and the flashing police lights.