Chapter 1 A Life Saved, A Heart Bound

In late autumn, a drizzle fell steadily. Robin Olson held up an umbrella as she walked from the end of a narrow alley, heading to deliver hangover medicine to her boyfriend, Norris Badman, who was at a party. Shivering from the cold, she brought her hands to her lips and exhaled two soft puffs of white mist. Her lips turned an even deeper shade of red, and her delicately arched brows furrowed slightly. Maybe it was the discomfort from her period making her feel off. Not paying attention to the road, her foot caught on something, and she stumbled a few steps before managing to steady herself. A muffled groan came from behind her. Startled, she whipped around—only to see a man lying there, covered in blood. His life or death was unclear. Robin panicked and ran over, umbrella in hand. "Sir, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" She bent down to help him, but as she lowered her gaze, she was met with a pair of deep, pitch-black eyes, their coldness piercing straight into her heart. Half-hidden in the shadows, the man's face couldn't simply be described as handsome—it was beyond that. Devastatingly stunning, like trouble in human form. "If you don't want to die, then get lost," the man rasped, his voice hoarse and low, carrying a chill that pushed people away. One hand clutched his bleeding abdomen as he leaned against the wall. Despite his dire state, his aura remained imposing, making it clear he wasn't someone to be messed with. Robin's gaze flickered, and a wave of fear rose in her chest. Her grip on the umbrella faltered, and it slipped from her hands, falling to the ground. She was scared of him—terrified, even—but the principles ingrained in her since childhood wouldn't let her just walk away and leave someone to die. Edward Dunn thought that after his warning, the woman would wisely turn and leave. But to his surprise, not only did she stay, but she even pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it against the wound on his abdomen, trying to stop the bleeding. Edward's brows furrowed deeply. For a moment, he forgot the pain in his wound. His dark eyes fixed on Robin's pale face. Though she was clearly frightened, her expression showed unmistakable determination. "Saving me comes with a price. Are you leaving or not?" The man's injuries didn't look like something from a simple accident—he was clearly tangled up in serious trouble. Robin was terrified, of course. But how could she stand by and watch someone die right in front of her? His wound was severe, and if it wasn't treated soon, he'd likely bleed to death. And honestly, what price could be higher than a human life? "I'm not leaving," she replied firmly after a brief hesitation. A ripple of surprise flashed through the depths of Edward's dark eyes. At that moment, the sound of hurried, chaotic footsteps echoed from the far end of the alley, drawing closer. Robin instinctively turned toward the noise, but a cold hand suddenly wrapped around her slender wrist before she could fully react. The man who had been sprawled on the ground just moments ago sprang to his feet with startling agility. In the blink of an eye, he had her pinned against the wall, leaning in dangerously close. "You might not understand something," his low, menacing voice murmured in her ear, his cold hand subtly gripping the back of her neck. A chill raced down Robin's spine. Panic surged in her chest, and she stammered, "W-what?" "Good intentions don't always bring good outcomes." As soon as the words fell, Edward tilted her head slightly and leaned in. His warm breath brushed against her skin, and before she could process what was happening, his lips crashed onto hers. The kiss was forceful and cold, tinged with a faint metallic scent of blood. A subtle cedarwood fragrance teased Robin's senses, leaving her momentarily stunned. Her eyes widened in shock, glaring at the man in disbelief. A rush of blood flooded her head, and anger flared in her chest. She tried to shove him away in a fit of panic and fury. But even wounded, Edward was far from someone she could overpower. Instead, he used her resistance against her, his long legs sliding between hers, locking her firmly between his unyielding frame and the cold wall behind her. Her back pressed against the icy wall, and in front of her was the man's unyielding chest, firm and unrelenting, his body fitting tightly against hers. There was nowhere to retreat, no space to breathe. Robin's ears burned red. She was furious, humiliated, and completely unable to resist. Despair began to swallow her whole. All she wanted was to help someone—how did it end up like this? She had a boyfriend, for crying out loud! The hurried footsteps from the end of the alley grew closer until the figures finally emerged. The group immediately caught sight of the two locked in what appeared to be a heated kiss against the wall. Robin's body trembled as she noticed the knives glinting in their hands. Swallowing her shame and humiliation, she forced herself to hook her arms around Edward's neck, pretending to willingly cling to him. Don't panic. Just think of it as being bitten by a dog! A flicker of surprise crossed Edward's dark eyes. One of the men stared openly, then sneered, "Tsk, lovebirds." "Boss, could this guy be ... " "That guy's famous for being untouchable when it comes to women. Do you really think he'd be out here in the middle of the night making out with someone? Are you crazy, or is he?" "Yes, yes, you're right." "Right, my *ss! Find him! There's no way we're letting him leave here alive!" The voices faded along with their retreating footsteps, leaving the alley in tense silence again. When a sharp pain pricked his lower lip, Edward was about to let Robin go. The little lamb had bitten him. His gaze darkened, and he tightened it further instead of loosening his hold. With one swift motion, he pulled Robin closer by the waist and pressed another deep, punishing kiss onto her lips.