002

In the hallway of the downtown hospital, Samantha Lowe’s driver, Jake, paced anxiously. “I swear, Ms. Lowe, the guy looked… well, pretty close to gone. I mean, there was so much blood…”

The doctor, adjusting his glasses, gave a calm smile. “Mr. Williams only suffered minor injuries. Remarkably, he’s awake and recovering well. Sometimes, appearances can be deceiving.”

Samantha raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Minor injuries? He was lying in a pool of blood. You’re certain he’s… alright?”

The doctor nodded. “Yes, Miss Lowe. He’s in room 203 if you wish to see for yourself.”

With a sigh, Samantha glanced at Jake. “Stay here. I’ll handle this.”

Inside room 203, Lucas sat up on the hospital bed, pressing a hand against his left side, where a strange warmth radiated outward. His mind buzzed with unfamiliar thoughts, names of techniques and powers he’d never heard before. Dragon Soul Immortal Technique… Dragon Gaze Heavenward Technique? What’s… happening to me?

The door creaked open, snapping him from his thoughts. He looked up, and his breath caught.

Samantha Lowe stood at the door, her dark eyes scanning him with cool detachment. She was striking, more beautiful than he had words for, and she carried herself with a grace and confidence that made Ashley, his ex-wife, feel like a faded memory.

“Lucas Williams, is it?” Her voice was sharp, a mix of curiosity and disbelief. “You don’t look like someone who just got hit by a car.”

He blinked, taken aback. “I… I thought I was done for. Honestly, I… I thought it’d end everything.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You mean you jumped in front of my car on purpose?”

“No! I’d never do something so low. I wasn’t trying to… scam anyone.” He took a steadying breath, his voice softening. “I was… I was just… at the end of my rope.”

She crossed her arms, studying him. “Interesting. So, you’re willing to die, just like that?”

Lucas looked away, unable to meet her gaze. “Sometimes, when you’ve lost everything that matters, it doesn’t feel like much of a choice.”

Samantha smirked. “Perfect.”

He looked up, bewildered. “Perfect?”

“Yes, perfect.” Her gaze was steady, calculating. “I need someone who has nothing left to lose… someone willing to walk into the lion’s den, so to speak.”

Lucas frowned. “What are you saying?”

Without hesitation, she replied, “Marry me.”

Lucas choked, almost laughing. “Wait, what? Did… did I hear you right?”

“Yes. Marry me,” she repeated, her expression unwavering. “Of course, this isn’t about love or sentiment. I need a man who won’t flinch at the idea of facing danger. Someone desperate enough to play by my rules.”

He shook his head, dumbfounded. “This is… crazy. Why would you want to marry someone like me?”

She gave a half-smile. “Because you don’t value your life, Lucas. That makes you perfect for my purposes.”

He stared at her, trying to process her words. His mind wandered to Ella, lying helplessly in her hospital bed. If I agree… maybe I can save her. This might be my only shot.

“What’s in it for me?” he asked, his voice cautious but hopeful.

She raised an eyebrow, amused by his shift in tone. “What do you want?”

Lucas swallowed hard. “Eighty thousand dollars. My daughter… she needs treatment, and I can’t afford it.”

Samantha tilted her head, assessing him. “Eighty thousand. That’s quite a sum.”

“I know,” he admitted, gripping his hands together. “But it’s her only chance.”

She considered his words, finally giving a small nod. “Fine. Eighty thousand dollars. But remember, this is a business arrangement. Marrying into my family will bring you no honor—only disdain.”

Lucas met her gaze, his voice steady. “I don’t care about honor. I just want my daughter to live.”

In the ICU room, Dr. John Stevens examined Ella, her pale face calm, almost serene. He turned to the nurse, shrugging. “Prepare for the worst. We’ve done all we can.”

The nurse pulled a white sheet, ready to drape it over Ella. Dr. Stevens sighed, muttering, “It’s a shame, really. But when people can’t afford treatment, it’s a waste of resources to keep them going.”

Just then, the door burst open, and Lucas staggered inside, his face stricken with panic. “Ella!”

The nurse stopped, sheet in hand, watching Lucas rush to his daughter’s bedside.

“Ella! No, no… you can’t leave me!” His hands trembled as he took her tiny fingers, his heart pounding. “Please, baby, wake up. I’m here. Daddy’s here.”

Dr. Stevens stepped forward, crossing his arms. “Mr. Williams, this is unnecessary. She’s… she’s gone. Let her rest.”

Lucas glared up, desperation blazing in his eyes. “Gone? You didn’t even give her the medication I promised to pay for!”

The doctor shrugged. “Payment wasn’t made. I don’t run a charity.”

“Charity?” Lucas’s voice was raw with grief. “She’s a little girl! You couldn’t… you couldn’t even try?”

Dr. Stevens rolled his eyes. “Frankly, if you had the money, you’d still be wasting it here. The ICU is charged by the hour, after all.”

Lucas clenched his fists, tears streaming down his face. “I refuse to believe this. I won’t give up on her!”

Desperate, he gripped Ella’s hand tighter. Suddenly, warmth spread from his fingers, a comforting glow that seemed to flow directly into her. His eyes widened as he felt the energy, the strange sensation from before, streaming into her.

The nurse glanced at Dr. Stevens, scoffing. “What, does he think he’s got magic powers now?”

Dr. Stevens smirked, shaking his head. “Ridiculous. I’d walk backward for the rest of my life if that girl comes back to life.”

Just as he finished, the monitor beside Ella’s bed beeped. The room fell silent, the once-flat line on the screen forming a small, hopeful wave.

The nurse gasped. “Doctor… did you see that?”

They watched, stunned, as the monitor continued to show Ella’s heartbeat, each beat growing stronger and steadier. Lucas’s breath caught, and he tightened his grip on her hand, barely able to believe what he was seeing.

Dr. Stevens stood, his jaw slack, eyes wide with disbelief.