A few days later.

I emptied a near - lethal dose of the doctor - prescribed sleeping aid - originally meant to ease my wracked insomnia into his cup. "Here you go, my dear," .

Just as I'd anticipated, William walked in, his body hunched with the weariness of a long day.

Without hesitation, he reached for the cup.

"You're always so thoughtful,"

With one big gulp, he downed the drink.

Minutes ticked by, and a visible lethargy began to take hold of him.

He stumbled on his feet, his hands furiously rubbing his temples.

"Strange, I'm suddenly so tired,"

He made his way to the bedroom.

I followed closely behind "Are you all right, honey?"

"Just need to lie down," he groaned, his body collapsing onto the bed like a felled tree. Soon, his heavy snores filled the room.

That's when his phone, resting on the pillow, lit up.

A text from Sophie.

I snatched it up"Dear cousin, when are you coming to be with me today? I'm so unbearably horny."

"Disgusting," I hissed through clenched teeth.

But I swallowed my revulsion and started scrolling.

"William, we need to find a donor quickly. I can't go on like this," Sophie's message read.

"I'm working on it. I've already spent a fortune, but I'll get you a heart," William had replied.

And then"The best match is Vivian. We can make it seem like a voluntary donation."

My hands shook so violently that I almost dropped the phone.

Just then, as if a bolt from the blue, another message caught my eye.

"Sophie, I love you more than anything in this world."

"That Vivian has a heart that's a perfect match for Sophie. If I can just marry her, we'll be set."

I stood there, in the dimly lit room, surrounded by the sound of William's snores. And my world shattered into a million pieces.

The next morning, William woke up and saw me sitting at the bedside.

Perhaps noticing that I had coughed up blood again last night and my condition was worsening, he reached out to touch my forehead.

Instantly, his face changed. "Vivian, you have a fever!"

He rushed out of bed, rummaging through the cabinets for fever - reducing medicine. Then he brought a glass of warm water and carefully helped me up. "Here, take the medicine,".

After taking the medicine, I lay back on the bed, closing my eyes, not wanting to see his hypocritical face.

He sat by the bed, gently holding my hand. "Vivian, do you feel better?" .

"It's all my fault. I didn't take good care of you," .

I let out a sneer in my heart.

William cleared his throat, "Vivian, Sophie just got back from abroad. There's a welcome party at the hotel. Let's go and have some fun together."

The moment I heard Sophie's name, my heart constricted painfully.

So this was his so - called "consideration".

"Do as you please,"

He grinned and said, "I knew my Vivian was the most understanding."

The moment we stepped into the opulent hotel ballroom, the air was thick with the scent of expensive champagne and the chatter of the wealthy elite.

Sophie, like a hyperactive sprite, bounded towards William.

"Cousin, I've been dying to see you! Did you bring me a present?"

William's eyes softened into a pool of adoration "Of course, my precious cousin. How could I ever forget you?"

Suddenly, the double - doors of the ballroom swung open with a grand flourish.

A procession of liveried servants marched in, their footsteps synchronized, pushing a towering, ornate display stand.

On it, nestled within a bed of velvet, was a sight that took everyone's breath away - the "Heart of Life", a diamond - encrusted heart. Legends whispered that this gem possessed the power to heal all ailments and bestow eternal youth.

Sophie's eyes widened in awe, and she impulsively planted a smacking kiss on William's cheek.

"Wow, you're the best, cousin! But won't your wife be jealous of such a costly gift?" she asked, her eyes darting towards me, a mischievous glint .

Only then did William seem to remember my presence.

I stood there, feeling like a fish out of water.

Over the years, he had never once remembered my birthday, let alone gifted me with a piece of jewelry or an elegant gown.

He looked at me, a hint of awkwardness flashing across his face.

Hastily, he reached for my hand, stammering, "Vivian, don't misunderstand. Sophie and I are just cousins. I was just - "

Before he could finish his sentence, Sophie let out a soft gasp, her hand flying to her chest.

"Cousin, my chest feels so tight. I'm afraid my old condition is flaring up again," .

In an instant, William dropped my hand as if it were a hot coal and spun around to gather Sophie into his arms.

"What? Why all of a sudden? Does it hurt? I must take you to get checked immediately," .

With that, he swept Sophie off her feet in a classic princess - carry, right in front of all the gaping guests, and strode purposefully towards the hotel rooms.

The whispers of the onlookers began to swirl around me like a storm. "No wonder he spoils Sophie so much. Look at his wife, so shabby. "

Another chimed in, "I heard she got pregnant before marriage and forced him to marry her, desperate to climb the social ladder."

I let out a bitter laugh. Yes, meeting William had been my downfall, my karmic retribution.

I turned and made my way through the labyrinthine corridors of the hotel. As I rounded the corner at the end of a long hallway, I froze in my tracks.

There, in a passionate embrace, were William and Sophie.

Sophie was pressed against the wall, her arms wound tightly around William's neck. "Cousin, listen, is my heart still racing?" she murmured seductively.

"Sophie, my little love, I've missed you so much," William groaned.

Sophie leaned in and captured his lips in a searing kiss. "Cousin, there are too many people here. Let's go to the room," .

That was all it took for William to lose his last shred of self - control. His hand shot up to cradle the back of Sophie's head as he returned the kiss with a ferocity that made my stomach churn.

"We've never tried it at the corridor."

Moans of pleasure filled the empty corridor.

I clapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a sob and fled.