Perhaps he never intended for me to leave here alive.
In his stunned gaze, I made the final, grim decision. I sliced open my abdomen and, with trembling hands, offered him the bloodied merfolk’s pearl.
The pain was so intense it drew beads of sweat on my forehead, but I remained silent, determined not to give him the satisfaction of hearing me cry out.
“Conrad, this is what you wanted. We're even now,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Panic flashed across Conrad’s face as he saw the gravity of my condition. With a desperate urgency, he lifted my nearly lifeless body into his arms.
“Serena, just hang on,” he said, his voice shaking with fear. “I’m getting you to the hospital right away!”
I fought against his hold with all my strength and my body collapsed heavily onto the ground.
“So, you want to trade my life for Maya’s and now you’re pretending to be so deeply concerned?”
“I’m about to die—are you satisfied now?”
