Chapter 1The Blood Bargain

When I opened my eyes, I was back on my way to donate blood. The wife of the city’s wealthiest man was in a difficult childbirth and desperately needed a transfusion—and my blood type matched her rare one.

In my first life, I gave my blood without hesitation. As thanks, the billionaire gifted me a chic townhouse and three million dollars. My roommate Hannah, who always acted above material things, was furious. She accused me of selling my blood, said I was dirty, and spread rumors I was a homewrecker. Her words ate at me. I ended up refusing the gifts and cut off all contact with men, even skipping classes taught by male professors. By graduation, I’d failed so many courses I couldn’t graduate on time.

Desperate, I begged Hannah for tutoring help. Instead, she filmed me pleading, called me an idiot, and posted it online. The video went viral—my tear-streaked face became a meme, and Hannah became an influencer overnight.

That same night, overwhelmed, I ended my life with a bottle of pills.

* * *

Two men in casual clothes stopped me at the hospital entrance.

“You must be Miss Cassie Miller?”

When I nodded, the man I recognized as the city’s most prominent billionaire became so emotional his words stumbled over each other.

“Miss Miller, my wife… she’s an older mother, and there were… complications during the surgery. She needs blood, urgently!” He swallowed hard. “You… you were informed of the situation, right?”

When he spoke of his wife, this seasoned man who had weathered countless storms in the business world had tears welling in his eyes.

His eldest son, Noah, who stood beside him, looked at me with immense gratitude. “Miss Miller, thank you so much for coming. My mother… we’re counting on you.”

“Of course,” I said, extending my arm without a second thought. “Where do I go? Take me there now.”

But just as we were about to head inside, a sharp voice cut through the air behind us.

“Stop right there! None of you are going anywhere!”

Hannah stormed over, planting herself directly in front of me. She stared at me, her eyes burning with a look of profound disappointment. “Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea what you’re doing? Donating blood for money? You’re basically selling your body! Have you no shame?”

The familiar words sent a shiver down my spine. It was only then that the reality hit me with full force. I was back. I had been reborn.

In my last life, she had stopped me just like this. But back then, all I could think about was that a life was on the line. Besides, I had come fully prepared to donate for free. I didn’t agree with her twisted logic, so I ignored her and followed the doctor to the donation room.

I never expected that after the transfusion, the billionaire would offer me three million dollars and a house as a reward. Hannah found out and called me trash, a sellout who was a disgrace to modern women. Under her relentless psychological pressure, I ended up refusing the kind offer.

That one simple act of refusal ultimately led to my death.

Thinking of it now, a hot anger simmered in my chest. “Hannah, what are you talking about? I’m here to save someone’s life!”

Hannah looked genuinely shocked, probably because the meek and quiet me had never dared to talk back to her. Seeing that all eyes were on her, she lifted her chin, her gaze drifting into the distance as if addressing a crowd. “Save a life? Don’t make it sound so noble. This is all just a trap set by these rich people!”

She sighed dramatically and lowered her voice, leaning in as if sharing a secret. “Cassie, I’m only saying this for your own good. Don’t you know? Your blood type is rare. If you’re not careful, these wealthy vultures will turn you into their personal blood bag!”

The billionaire panicked at her words, holding up four fingers in a solemn oath. “Never! Absolutely not! Miss Miller is saving my wife; she’s a benefactor to our entire family. How could we possibly do anything to harm her?”

Noah chimed in, “If you don’t trust our word, we can sign a formal agreement. If this situation ever arises again, we will never force Miss Miller to donate if she is unwilling.”

Hannah let out a derisive snort. “You think we’d believe that? Let me tell you something. We may be poor students, but we have principles! We would never sell our bodies for you! Impossible!”

With that, she grabbed my arm and tried to drag me away.

This time, I was ready. I yanked my arm free. “Mr. Davison, this is my body and my decision! Where is the donation room? Please, take me there now!”

Noah understood immediately and motioned for a nearby doctor to lead me inside.

Hannah, unwilling to give up, screamed after me, “Cassie, you’re a lost cause! If your parents knew you were selling your body, they would die of shame!”

When I ignored her, she planted her hands on her hips and looked at Noah with utter contempt. “Let me make one thing clear to you people! Cassie might be spineless enough to sell herself to you, but I’m not! I, Hannah Davis, live my life with integrity. I would never stoop to something so vulgar!”

But the Davisons couldn't have cared less about her performance. Their attention was already back on the operating room doors.

A few minutes later, I walked out, pressing a cotton ball to the small puncture wound on my arm.