"You want to marry me? Why?" Luna asked.
Yes. She knew that there was a possibility that he would tie her in a loveless marriage just to keep her, but it still came as a surprise that Hero demanded her to marry him as part of the deal.
She hated that he was taking advantage of her situation to get what he wanted from her. Such a selfish man that he was! If Julian wasn't in a grave condition, Luna would never dare to associate herself with this man at all.
"Why marry me if the only intent you have is to have your way with my body? Can't you keep me as your woman, not as your wife?"
"I don't need an affair with you, woman," Hero coldly replied. "I want you as my wife. I want all the rights to possess you."
Luna fell silent at his words. Did she even have a say on this?
"If you don't want my conditions, let's forget about the deal."
Luna panicked when she heard him. No! She should not delay her brother's surgery any longer.
"I agree! I don't care anymore! Do what you want with me; just please save my brother."
Hero didn't say a word but placed his coat on her drenched body. Why won't he say something? Wasn't it enough that she sold herself to him?
Her whole body trembled from severe cold and felt herself losing consciousness, only to fall to his waiting arms. Her exhaustion had overcome her will. Looking at the woman in his arms, Hero lifted her up easily with one hand while his other hand held the umbrella to protect them from the raging wind and thunderstorm.
He made it back to his car and slipped Luna to the passenger seat. Once he settled back in the driver's seat, Hero picked up his phone and dialed Daryl's number.
"Send one million yuan to Luna's account and settle the medical bills for her brother. Provide everything the doctor will ask for. Money is not a problem here."
"As you wish, Master Hero," Darryl replied before cutting the call.
Hero took a moment to stare at Luna's sleeping face. Even in her state, she was still beautiful. There was an unusual darkening under her eyes that she probably got from long hours of work and stress. His hand reached out to tuck a stray lock behind her ear and looked at her with warmth on his gaze.
They must come back to the hospital to check on her brother's condition and to admit her to the emergency room. She was burning in fever. It was only then Hero noticed the difference in her breathing and body temperature.
Their marriage ceremony could wait. It wasn't like Luna would back down on their deal, but he would make sure he did his part before asking for her payment.
---
When Luna regained her consciousness, she found herself lying on a hospital bed. She wasn't sure what time it was. Just what happened to her last night when she passed out? Did Hero take her in the hospital out of panic? She jolted up from the bed and sat up, only to be greeted with dizziness from her sudden movement.
A warm hand reached out and rubbed her back as she held both sides of her head.
"Luna? Are you okay? Do I need to call the doctor?" It was Elaine, her mother. Luna eyed at her confusedly, wondering why she was admitted as a patient in the same hospital where Julian was in.
"Mom? What happened? Why am I here? Where's Julian?"
The barrage of questions just came out from her mouth, not caring if she was in bad condition.
"It's okay. You don't have to worry anymore." Elaine replied. She wasn't at the end of her wits, unlike the last time Luna talked to her. Did Hero fulfill her request while she was unconscious? She dearly hoped so.
"He's in the ICU for recovery now. Someone helped us, Luna, but I'm not sure who did it. Do you have any idea who could it be?" Her mother asked, but Luna was forced to lie to her own mother. She couldn't possibly confess that she sold herself to Hero for a hefty amount of money to save Julian.
"I don't know, Mom, but I'll try to see who was it. Can you tell me why I'm here?" Luna pointed out at the needle and dextrose hose attached to her left hand.
It was at that moment that the doctor came into the room to check up on her condition.
"Oh, I see you're awake now, Miss Jiang. You should be careful and try not to tire yourself, alright. It wouldn't be good for your baby if you get sick from the rain," the lady doctor commented while she checked Luna's record.
"W-what?" Her eyes were wide as saucers as she stared back at the doctor. "What do you mean 'my baby'?"
Terror was written all over her face once it dawned to her what the doctor meant. No. No, this couldn't be. Luna bent her knees and pulled them closer to her chest. She couldn't be pregnant.
"Congratulations, Miss Jiang. You're eight weeks pregnant." The doctor gave her a bright smile.
And with those words, Luna felt that her world had fallen apart.