Luna weighed her options. If she accepted Sienna's terms, she would lose everything that was rightfully for her and Julian; and if she chose to become Hero's woman, what kind of woman would she be? She would be nothing but a trophy wife that would abide him until he deemed it was worthy enough to release her.
"I'll be on my way, Mom," she replied before cutting off the line. Julian was in a grave condition, and she should be there as soon as possible. She couldn't afford to waste any more time.
Sienna looked at her expectantly. The small smile on her lips, indicating that her goal was almost in her reach. Ah, finally ... she can finally say that a thorn would be removed in her life. She had waited too long for Luna to come to her and seek for help.
"So? Are you going to agree or not?" Sienna asked. She was already rejoicing inwardly.
Luna could feel her hatred for her sister rose to another level. Was she really that desperate to get rid of her?
"Why are you still here?" Her father's voice roared, startling both women. "Get out!" he yelled.
"You don't have to tell me!" Luna snapped back at her father. "I know my way out!"
Afraid that their father would ruin her plan, Sienna stepped forward and tried to calm him down.
"Dad, it's alright. I will deal with Sister. She's just agitated from all the problems she's dealing with." She walked towards her father and held his hand.
Stephen's eyes softened as he looked at Sienna. Ah, if only Luna could be as filial as Sienna, he wouldn't mind investing time and money to groom her.
Luna looked away, not wanting to see her father and half-sister gang up again her. She would rather sell herself to the devil than to agree and submit to Sienna and the Jiang family's terms. She swore she would find a way to get back what was hers.
In the end, her love for Julian was greater than any feelings she held in her heart. There was no respect for a woman who sold herself for money and power,
With slow and silent steps, she slipped outside the Jiang Mansion. It was only by then she realized that it was raining hard.
"Could this day get any worse?" she muttered to herself.
She made her way outside, making her dress soaking wet from the heavy rain. Her body chilled to the bones. The coldness of the night brought a shiver down her spine. Was there no other way to save her brother but to become someone's woman?
Her tears mixed up with the raindrops that fell on her face. What else could she lose? She was deflowered by a stranger, her boyfriend ran away with her friend, and now, her only sibling was waiting for her to save him.
What had she done wrong to suffer like this?
With her vision blurred from the tears welling up on her eyes, Luna tripped and fell to the ground. Pathetic. She really was a pathetic woman, thinking that running away from her problems could make her life happier.
A tall figure loomed over her slumped form. Luna blinked away her tears and looked up. Hero was standing in front of her, holding an umbrella to protect them from the rain. When did he arrive here? Or was he waiting for her to come out all these time?
Hero stood before her with his eyes filled with immense tenderness as he stared down on her weak body.
"Come, you have wasted enough time in this place." He helped her stand back to her feet and wiped away her face with a clean handkerchief. Luna could only look at him with confusion. Why did he help her? Help? No, not really. He just wanted to possess her.
"If I agree to become your woman, will you help me?" She pulled on the lapels of his coat in despair, but Hero only stared back at her, without saying a word.
"Tell me, if I give myself to you …"—she choked up a sob—"will you help me save my brother?"
She bit her lip. Luna really felt like she'd caught all the misfortune in this lifetime. "I need 500,000 yuan to save him. Please," she begged, "help me."
Hero was already aware of the situation of her brother and her desperation to raise funds for his immediate operation. Just like what he'd predicted, Stephen Jiang had casted out his woman and refused to help her. He'd waited patiently for Luna to come to him and beg. Not that he would refuse her.
"Sure," he agreed without hesitation, surprising Luna. "I will help you pay his medical bills and expenses. I will also help you destroy the Jiang family if you want."
Luna's eyes flashed with murderous intent and contempt when he said those words.
"I will help you, but in return …" Hero stopped abruptly, taking in the expression on her face.
Luna had already made up her mind. There was no turning back. "Tell me what I need to do."
"Marry me."
"What?" Luna gaped in shock from his words.
Did he really want to marry her at a time like this?
"Marry me, and I'll help you and will provide you everything. Or else … forget that you have a chance to save your brother."