"Aren't you grateful, little sister? You should be thanking me for giving you a home and a purpose. Your blood kept me alive all these years, and now, with your bone marrow, I'm finally cured. But you were never anything more than a tool to me—a means to an end. Now that I've gotten what I want, I don't need you anymore."
"If you don't die, how can William marry me?"
"What did you say?"
Natalie's heart, already shattered, broke all over again. William? William Parker? That was her fiancee.
Years ago, after Logan was accepted back into the Parker family, Mrs. Parker grew desperate to find him a strong backer—someone who could support him in his rivalry with his elder brother, Logan, who was just a few months older. After weighing their options, the Parkers chose the Roberts family. Though not as wealthy as the Parkers, they had enough influence to help William rise.
At the time, Hailey was frail and sickly, unsuitable for marriage. So, Mrs. Parker chose Natalie instead.
During holidays and festivals, Mrs. Parker would often take both sisters to the Parker estate, hoping to nurture a connection between Natalie and William.
William, raised impeccably by Mrs. Parker, carried himself like a refined gentleman. It wasn't long before Natalie fell for him completely.
What she never realized was that Hailey, her own sister—whom she had protected with her very blood—had also fallen for William… the man who was supposed to be her fiancee!
"Natalie, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't even exist in this family. You're a grateful person, aren't you? Didn't you once say you'd do anything for me?"
"Then sacrifice yourself one last time. For me—and for the child I'm carrying. William's child."
Child?
Natalie was struck again, like lightning cleaving her already broken heart.
Her sister—who had drained her of blood for years—and her fiancé had a child?
"Because of you, William even suggested I get rid of this baby. Natalie, do you really think I can do that? Throw away my own child?"
"I can't."
"That's why you need to die! If you die, William won't feel guilty anymore. We can be together openly. And my baby will have a whole family!"
Hailey's face contorted with excitement.
She reached for the knife's handle, yanked it out with a sickening jerk, and drove it straight into Natalie's chest once again.
A mouthful of blood spilled from Natalie's lips.
With the last of her strength, she grabbed Hailey's wrist.
"You… You planned this all along, didn't you? You wanted William to have a child with you. William would never—"
"Never what? Love me?" Hailey sneered.
"You're wrong. William has always loved me. I'm the rightful daughter of the Roberts family. Why would he choose a backup blood bank like you over me?"
"Even knowing I was going to kill you, he told me to be cautious—make sure I didn't leave any clues."
"See? He's here, too. He came to send you off."
Hailey yanked Natalie's head up by the hair. In the distance, a cement mixer rumbled to life.
Operating it was none other than William.
Natalie's eyes widened in disbelief.
They're going to bury me in concrete.
"William…" She locked eyes with him, holding onto her last thread of hope.
He met her gaze coldly—expressionless. Then, with a flick of his hand, the cement began pouring from the mixer.
At that moment, all hope died.
Natalie suddenly remembered the words he used to say:
"She's your sister, Natalie. As her younger sister, it's your duty to care for her."
"Hailey's not well. Be more understanding."
"She's sick. Why are you even arguing with her? Natalie, you've always been the sensible one."
...
It had all been part of their plan. She had been blind. Foolish.
She was overwhelmed by regret, grief, and betrayal.
In the distance, a car screeched to a halt. Her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. Was it her parents?
But even if they were, would she survive this?
When Thomas Roberts and Ashley stepped out of the car, they showed no intention of stopping the execution.
Thomas even barked coldly, "Shift her a little to the left. If you're going to bury her, at least do it right."
Natalie stared in disbelief.
That's my father… my biological father!
How could he be so heartless? How could he order her burial as if she were trash?
Why?
Was she really that unworthy?
No! She was Natalie.
She had always been a devoted daughter, a loving fiancée, a selfless sister.
She had sacrificed everything—blood, time, love—for these people.
Because she believed they were family.
She thought families were supposed to support one another.
But the truth?
They never saw her as family.
They never even saw her as a human being.
Cement spilled, cold and thick, engulfing her legs, her torso, her chest.
All she saw were Hailey's smug smile… William's cold stare… her father's cruel command… Ashley's indifferent eyes.
Hatred. Rage. Despair.
Splash.
More cement poured down.
Her body screamed in pain, bones cracking under pressure. She thrashed with all her might—and suddenly, everything disappeared.
The restraints vanished.
"Are you awake?"
Before she could process the change, a deep, magnetic voice spoke coldly beside her.
She turned—and froze.
A man with sharp features, eyes dark as night, stared at her like she was nothing more than an insect.
"Logan…" she murmured.
Logan Parker. The elder brother of William.
The one William had fought so hard to surpass, but could never defeat.
His hair was damp, strands clinging to his forehead. A smoky-gray suit clung perfectly to his tall frame—broad shoulders, narrow waist.
His black eyes held no warmth. The faint smirk on his lips sent chills down her spine.
He exuded power… and danger.
Natalie instinctively stepped back.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked, voice smooth and cold, laced with mocking curiosity.
She stood frozen, unable to answer.
Of course she was afraid.
Everyone in NY City feared him.
They called him a madman, inheriting the cold-blooded nature of his mother.
He had once been a quiet child. But at seven, when his mother passed, every
thing changed.
Half a year later, his father—Garner Parker—married Audrey.
At the wedding...
Logan had walked silently up to Audrey without anyone noticing.
With a knife he had somehow obtained, he slashed Audrey's neck without blinking.
The guests screamed in terror, and the entire scene descended into chaos.
Audrey staggered back in horror, clutching her neck and signaling frantically for the bodyguards to catch him.
He straightened up, cold eyes locked on her, holding the blood-stained knife up to his face. For a moment, he admired it—then stuck out his tongue and slowly licked the blade.