Her New Life, His Eternal Pain Chapter 01

Her New Life, His Eternal Pain Chapter 01 I’m Staying Right Here
“Miss Foster, are you sure you want to donate your retinas after you pass away?” “I’m sure.” Fiona Foster nodded without a second thought. The doctor looked at her young face and tried again. “Miss Foster, our top specialists are working around the clock on that unknown drug they injected you with. If you’d just cooperate with treatment, we might be able to buy you more time.” Fiona shook her head. “No point. Someone like me is better off dead sooner. That way, I won’t have to keep being an eyesore to him.” She gave a relieved smile and walked out. The doctor just shook his head, muttering, “Only twenty-five. Such a shame she’s given up.” Suddenly, Fiona’s phone rang. She pulled out her phone. It was Liam Lane. His voice was ice cold. “Where’d you sneak off to?” Fiona took a breath and lied. “Caught a cold.” He didn’t care either way. “I’m sending you a pin. Get here in fifteen.” She didn’t hesitate. She hauled herself over there. When she opened the door, the room was packed with business big shots she’d seen on the news a hundred times. They started pushing drinks at her the second they spotted her. “So this is Fiona! Finally. Heard a lot about you!” “They say you can drink anyone under the table—that you’ve closed ninety percent of Liam’s deals. Let’s see what you’ve got! All the glasses right here. Down them all, and I’ll sign the deal.” Over on the couch, Liam gave her a look. “Don’t let me down.” The crowd leaned in. Fiona didn’t back down. She smiled and raised a glass. “Guess I’ll give it a try, then.” Glass after glass. The drug in her system went haywire. Pain ripped through her like needles from the inside out. The doctor had told her: the drug eats your organs. Alcohol makes it worse. A lot worse. The more she drank, the faster her body would shut down. Her face went white as a ghost. Her hands shook. But she didn’t stop. She just kept pouring them down. And Liam just watched. Cold. Distant. From start to finish. Finally, sixty-six glasses. Empty. The room exploded in applause. “Holy sh*t! That’s insane!” Fiona was drenched in sweat, barely holding up a smile. The client was impressed. Tried to poach her right there. “Fiona, look at how Liam treats you—like a damn workhorse. No idea how to treat a lady. Come to Zenith Heights Group.” Zenith Heights. Top fifty global companies for five years straight. Cross-continental funds worth over forty billion. Fiona smiled softly and said no. “I appreciate it, but I’m good at Lane Group. And Mr. Lane’s been good to me.” “Twenty times your salary. What do you think?” Tempting as hell. But Fiona didn’t even flinch. Everyone stared. “Why?” Fiona tucked her smile away and stepped behind Liam. “I’m Mr. Lane’s assistant.” “Damn loyal. That’s rare. Liam, you lucky bastard.” The CEO of Zenith raised his glass to Liam and let it go. The deal went through. The party ended. Night fell. The driver pulled up. Fiona gritted her teeth and took the passenger seat. Liam sat in the back. Ever since that night, he couldn’t stand sitting next to her. The car stopped at a beat-up old apartment building. Fiona whispered thanks and got out, dead on her feet. Too tired to notice Liam had followed. He watched her stumble, his dark eyes narrowing. She didn’t realize until she reached her door. Keys out. Then her wrist got yanked. Next thing she knew, she was slammed against the wall. Liam pressed into her, grabbed her chin, and kissed her. Hard. Possessive. Sucking the air right out of her lungs. Her vision went black. She couldn’t breathe. He finally pulled back. She was the one who’d been attacked, but his eyes were red-rimmed, his voice shaky. “You’re always walking around like you’re half-dead. What, you trying to get my attention? That Zenith guy tried to poach you. Why didn’t you go? Fiona, why the hell didn’t you leave!” She gasped for air, her voice drained of energy, “I told you. I’m staying by your side for the rest of my life… to atone.” That set him off again. He punched the wall next to her head. Hatred burning in his eyes. “Then just f*cking die already! Just die!” “I’d be happy if you croaked. That’s the only way you can make it right.” Fiona smiled bitterly. Well, he was getting his wish. She really was dying. She opened her mouth to say something, but his phone rang. She glanced down. Serena Shaw. His fiancée. He turned his back, like he needed to pull himself together. When he answered, his voice went soft and sweet. “Serena.” Whoever was on the other end said something. His expression flickered. Then he hung up and took off. Didn’t say a word. Fiona leaned against the wall, watching him disappear. Once he was gone, she couldn’t hold it anymore. She stumbled inside, hit the bathroom, and puked like her insides were coming out. She didn’t know how long it took. The toilet was full of blood. Dark blood. From liver failure. She flushed it numbly, tried to stand, and passed out cold. — She dreamed of college days. The cafeteria. Her, Liam, and his sister Selene Lane eating together. Selene squeezed next to her, refusing to move. “I’m sitting by Fiona. I want to cuddle her!” Liam’s face darkened. He shoved his sister to the other side and took the spot himself. “That’s my seat.” “Liam! You’re so stingy!” God, those were good times. Fiona grew up an orphan. During a police academy training program, she met Selene, daughter of the Lane Group chairman. They became best friends. Liam was Selene’s older brother. Could’ve been a rich slacker, but instead, he graduated top of his class in National Special Operations. Good-looking, talented. Every girl in the academy wanted him. Fiona was too scared to even talk to him at first. But he kept showing up. Study guides. Sparring practice. Walking her home. One time she got held up late. He just waited outside. Quiet. When she came out, he walked her back. The walk was short, but they took forever. Finally, outside her door, that boy went red in the face and told her he’d protect her forever. She said yes. They started dating. Every day got sweeter. Until a year ago. Liam was about to retire from the Spec Ops team. He proposed. Night before the wedding, Selene took her out for a bachelorette party. They were heading back late. Cut through an abandoned factory. Masked men jumped them. Cornered them. Shot something into their arms. Fiona and Selene couldn’t fight for sh*t. Selene threw herself at the men, screaming, “Fiona, run! Go!” Fiona knew they were outmatched. So she ran. There was a police station close by. But when she got back with help, it was dead silent. The men were gone. Selene was on the ground. Raped. Beaten. Covered in blood. Not breathing. Liam showed up and saw his sister’s body. He grabbed Fiona’s hand, wrecked and furious. “Why’d you leave her? Why’d you run, Fiona? Why are you still alive?!” She had no answer. She hated herself more than anyone. “Fiona, I hate you. How could someone like you ever be my wife?” His eyes were pure poison. “Tomorrow’s wedding. Canceled.” That night, she lost her best friend and the love of her life. And her body was ruined, too. That drug those men gave her? Organ failure. Slow and steady. She was dying. Good. She could go to hell and apologize to Selene in person. And Liam wouldn’t have to look at her ugly face ever again.