Dumping Mr. Heartless, Finding Mr. Right

Pain seared through my cheek, and the dried blood at the corner of my mouth was caked on my skin.

I didn't call a driver. Instead, I drove myself to the hospital.

As the doctor treated my wounds, I looked in the mirror. Half my face was swollen, my lip was split, and my eyes were bloodshot. I looked utterly pathetic.

I forced a smile, but the sharp pain made me suck in a breath.

…

After receiving treatment, I headed for the parking lot. There, I spotted two figures standing before my car door.

Lena's parents flanked me on either side, their voices choking with sobs as they pleaded, "Mrs. Caballero, please… Give Lena a chance."

"She loves Don Caballero. Please, let them be together."

"Move," I said, my voice cold.

Yet, they continued, "Please, we're begging you. Have some mercy on us."

"I said, move."

Not wanting to deal with them, I shoved them aside and opened the door. Then, I started the engine before hitting the gas.

Without warning, Lena's father lunged straight at the front of my car.

There was a heavy thud. I barely saw him before he went down, clutching his leg and howling in pain.

Lena's mother screamed and rushed to him.

I stiffened, my fingers locking around the steering wheel. He had done it on purpose. Still, I jumped out, shoved him into the car, and took him to the ER.

…

In the hospital corridor, Lena charged forward the moment she saw me. Then, she slapped me hard.

My head snapped to the side, my ear ringing.

"Alyssa!" she screamed, tears spilling down her face. "Do whatever you want to me, but why would you hit my father with your car?"

By then, blood was already seeping through the fresh bandage on my cheek.

"He threw himself in front of my car," I replied coldly.

At that very moment, Dominic's icy voice cut through the air behind me. "You're lying! Why would Lena's father throw himself in front of your car? When did you become this cruel, Alyssa?"

I stared at him, my chest aching as if a knife had gone straight through it. Without a single question, he had already condemned me.

Right then, a doctor rushed out, saying, "The patient's lost too much blood and needs an immediate transfusion. He's type A. Is there anyone who can donate?"

Lena buried her face in her hands, sobbing. "I can't. I'm his immediate family."

As soon as she finished, Dominic's gaze landed on me, cold and merciless.

"She's type A. Have her do it," he stated.

My head snapped up. "I'm not donating."

"You hit him, so you'll take responsibility! If something happens to him, I'll make sure you regret it!" he snarled, menace burning in his eyes.

A chill ran through me, and my voice shook as I questioned, "Do you want to drive me to my death too? Just like you did to my parents and my brother?"

Dominic's pupils contracted, as if I had struck a nerve. But a second later, he waved. "Take her in. Draw her blood."

With that, the bodyguards forced me into the chair. The needle pierced my vein, and pain made my fingers tremble.

The blood bag filled slowly, and my vision blurred.

I remembered, back when I was anemic, Dominic would fuss over me for the tiniest scrape. But now, he had me pinned down, taking my blood so that he could save a man who had thrown himself at my car.

Soon, darkness closed in. I couldn't take it anymore and passed out.