Chapter 1

To save my boyfriend suffering from congenital heart disease, I donated my heart to him and received an artificial one instead.

As I woke up from general anesthesia, I heard mocking laughter from outside the hospital room.

"Zoran's pretty ruthless, treating Aria's heart like medical waste."

"An orphan's life is worthless anyway!"

"That's what she gets for offending Ivy. Zoran was merciful not to kill her outright!"

I thought I had found true love, never imagining it would be an inescapable abyss.

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1

"Aria's nothing but a pathetic simp!"

"You bet! Last week during that crazy storm, Zoran deliberately left her stranded in the mountains. She got all banged up, blood everywhere, and the way she was still desperately searching for Zoran was beyond ridiculous!"

"Even funnier is how she's been pinching pennies to save up for Zoran's medical treatment, only for all that cash to end up in some bum's cup."

"It's wild, right? The guy's the son of Chicago's richest tycoon, yet he's been playing sick and broke for two whole years just to mess with Aria. Zoran's really committed to the act."

"I heard people with artificial hearts don't live long. You think Zoran's gonna let Aria off the hook?"

"No way in hell. Remember the last person who messed with Ivy? Zoran fed them to the fishes in Lake Michigan."

...

Even though my heart's been replaced, the pain I feel is as real as a knife twisting in my chest.

Two years ago, I was cornered in an alley by a couple of thugs.

In that moment of danger, Zoran came to my rescue.

He told me he was terminally ill and all alone in the world.

I brought him home and cared for him with all my heart.

Two lonely souls finding warmth in each other, we fell in love quickly.

For the past two years, I've given up on my dreams to help pay for Zoran's treatment. I've been working around the clock, even selling my blood.

Three days ago, Zoran suddenly went into heart failure.I stepped forward without hesitation, giving him my heart and accepting an artificial heart implant surgery for myself.

Little did I know this was all part of his carefully orchestrated revenge for Haven.

On the day I was discharged, I called the professor.

"I'm willing to participate in the artificial organ observation project."

He reminded me, "After becoming a research subject, you won't be able to leave the research facility or contact the outside world for three years. Can you accept that?"

"Yes."

"Alright, we'll send someone to pick you up in ten days."

Back at the rental apartment, I felt a bit dazed looking at the silhouette busy in the kitchen.

Zoran came over smiling, "Aria, congratulations on being discharged."

I stared at him blankly, "You're feeling better?"

He nodded, pulling me into his arms as usual.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me. I'll spend a lifetime repaying you."

I wanted to ask, is it repayment or revenge?

But I swallowed the words.

With only ten days left before I leave, I didn't want to stir up trouble.

Besides, even if Zoran had deceived me, it was true that he once saved me from those thugs.

Zoran's arms tightened around my waist, his warm lips landing on my neck.

I shuddered, instinctively pushing him away.Sensing my resistance, Zoran furrowed his brow, "What's wrong, Aria?"

I nervously averted my gaze, "I'm not feeling well."

His expression softened, his voice gentle, "I'm sorry, I was too hasty..."

As he spoke, he led me to the dining table.

"Drink this soup while it's hot, I made it especially for you."

Although I had no appetite, I couldn't resist Zoran's earnest offer.

He watched with satisfaction as I finished the bowl of soup, nodding approvingly.

As I set down the spoon, a sudden, sharp pain struck my chest.

A suffocating sensation overwhelmed me, and I quickly lost consciousness.

In my hazy state, I heard Zoran's angry, accusatory voice.

"Didn't I say you could use chili and salt freely, but absolutely no seafood?"

"She's allergic to seafood, she went into shock at the hospital! Are you trying to make me a murderer?"

The guy looked troubled, "Zoran, Ivy made the soup, I did warn her—"

"Shut up!" Zoran snarled through gritted teeth, "Are you trying to say Ivy deliberately hurt Aria?"

The other person didn't dare speak again.

After a while, I finally opened my eyes.

I found myself lying in a hospital room once more.

Zoran was keeping vigil by my bedside, his face filled with guilt."I'm sorry, Aria. I forgot you're allergic to seafood."

I shook my head to indicate it was no big deal.

He told me to rest well and left.

After finishing the IV drip, I felt much better.

Just as I was about to leave the hospital, I opened the door and bumped into Zoran.

He asked, "Where are you going?"

I casually replied, "To find you."

The worry on his face was replaced with relief. "Don't worry, I just went to pay the bill."

"I won't let what happened last time happen again."

Last week, at Zoran's suggestion, I accompanied him on an outdoor excursion.

We were suddenly caught in a heavy downpour in the forest, and Zoran disappeared.

There was no cell signal in the woods, and I was frantic when I couldn't find Zoran.

I screamed until my throat was hoarse, slipping down slopes several times, covered in cuts and bruises.

When I finally found Zoran unharmed at the foot of the mountain, I passed out from exhaustion.

The love I would give my life for was just toying with me like a fool.