Chapter 2

A week later, her phone buzzed with a message from August.

"Charity auction. 8 PM. The Astoria Grand."

It was a command, not a request.

Cora arrived promptly, her simple black dress a stark contrast to the glittering gowns and jewels around her. She found August in a private booth, looking bored as the auctioneer presented priceless antiques and art.

He didn't acknowledge her. He just stared at the stage, his expression unreadable.

Item after item went by. A vintage car, a diamond necklace, a painting by a dead master. August didn't even twitch.

Then, the auctioneer unveiled the next item.

"And now, a truly unique piece! A pair of hand-carved crystal swans, a symbol of eternal love!"

They were beautiful, catching the light and refracting it into a hundred tiny rainbows.

For the first time that night, August sat up straighter. A flicker of interest in his dark eyes.

Another man started the bidding. August immediately countered.

The price climbed, quickly surpassing the swans' actual value. It became a battle of wills, a display of power between August and the other bidder.

"One million dollars!" the competitor shouted.

August didn't hesitate. "Five million."

The room fell silent. The other bidder shook his head and sat down.

The auctioneer, stunned, banged his gavel. "Sold! To Mr. Ortega for five million dollars!"

He turned to August, a curious smile on his face. "Mr. Ortega, if I may be so bold, these are for a very special lady, I presume?"

August's cold expression softened. He picked up the microphone on his table, and his voice, smooth and deep, filled the ballroom.

"They are for my fiancée, Harlow," he said, and a warm smile touched his lips. It was a smile Cora hadn't seen in seven years. "She is the most precious thing in my life. Nothing is too expensive for her."

The crowd applauded.

Cora felt her heart clench. Every word was a blow. He was performing for the crowd, but the message was for her. It was another way to show her what she had lost, what she had thrown away for money.

She knew now what her place was. She was a reminder of his past, a whetstone on which he sharpened his cruelty. Nothing more.

As August prepared to leave, the next item was wheeled onto the stage.

It was a large, covered cage.

The auctioneer's voice boomed. "And for our final, most thrilling item... a magnificent, purebred Tibetan Mastiff!"

The cover was pulled away.

Inside was a massive dog, black as night, with eyes like hot coals. It snarled, its teeth bared, straining against the bars of the cage. It was a beast, not a pet.

A nervous murmur went through the crowd.

Suddenly, with a loud crack, one of the cage's latches broke. The dog slammed its body against the door, which flew open.

Chaos erupted. People screamed and scrambled to get away as the massive dog leaped off the stage.

It was a blur of black fur and snarling teeth.

And it was heading straight for August.

Time seemed to slow down. Before she could think, Cora's body moved on its own.

She threw herself in front of him.

"August, look out!"

The dog slammed into her, its weight knocking her to the ground. She felt a searing, unbelievable pain as its teeth sank into her arm. She screamed, a raw, terrified sound.

She wrapped her other arm around the dog's thick neck, trying to pull it away, but it was too strong. It shook its head, tearing at her flesh.

"Cora!"

She heard August shout her name. It was the first time in years he'd said it with anything other than contempt. In his voice, for a split second, she heard panic. She heard fear.

She saw him move, his body shielding hers, trying to get between her and the beast.

Security guards swarmed in, finally managing to pull the dog off her.

Her arm was a mess of blood and torn fabric. The pain was immense, and the world began to swim in a dizzying blackness.

She collapsed, her head landing in August's lap.

The last thing she saw before she passed out was his face, pale and strained, his dark eyes wide with an emotion she couldn't name.

She woke up in a hospital room. The smell of antiseptic was sharp in her nose.

Her arm was heavily bandaged, and an IV was taped to her other hand.

August was sitting in a chair by her bed. He looked exhausted, his usually perfect suit was rumpled, and there was a dark stubble on his jaw.

When he saw her eyes open, a light flickered in his own.

"You're awake," he said, his voice rough.

He stood up and walked over to the bed, picking up a chart. "The doctor said you lost a lot of blood. Your anemia is severe."

Anemia. That's what he thought it was.

Cora tried to snatch the report from his hand, but the movement sent a jolt of pain through her arm. She winced, and in that moment, she saw it.

On the back of his hand, there was a fresh bandage and a small puncture mark. A needle mark.

A nurse came in, smiling brightly. "Oh, good, you're awake! You're very lucky to have such a caring partner. He stayed all night and even donated blood for you himself when the blood bank was running low on your type."

Cora stared at him, shocked. He had given her his blood.

She looked up at him, but he quickly turned his head, avoiding her gaze.

The nurse continued, "We just need to confirm some details for the paperwork. He is your partner, correct?"

"No," Cora said, her voice clear and firm, cutting through the quiet room. "He's not."

"He's my boss. Mr. Ortega."

The air in the room instantly turned cold.

August's head snapped back toward her, his face dark. The brief moment of warmth was gone, replaced by the familiar icy mask.

The nurse, sensing the sudden tension, quickly excused herself.

"Your boss?" August repeated, his voice dangerously low. "Is that all I am to you?"

He took a step closer, his shadow falling over her. "Why did you do it, Cora? Why did you jump in front of me?"

His eyes searched hers, demanding an answer. "Was it for a bigger bonus? A better performance review? Everything has a price with you, doesn't it?"

The question was so unfair, so cruel, that it left her speechless. Bitterness rose in her throat.

She had just saved his life. And this was his response.

The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.